From the Editor
Us and Them, Which is Which, and Who is Who
By
May 21, 2008 - 3:32:13 PM

Sometimes I think there is a towering mountain range that runs down through the middle of Chesterfield. It runs generally just south of Hull Street Rd. and then veers left at about Courthouse Rd. Pocahontas Park allows us to experience the wonders of the perceived Swiss Alps of a division in the county that eventually becomes hill country by the time it reaches the Village of Matoaca. A mountain range that has few passes for travel and very little cultural understanding.

In fact, the divide that splits Chesterfield geography and the attitudes of its inhabitants could be compared to train tracks running through Billy Joe Royal’s 1965 hit "Down in the Boondocks." Depending on one’s perspective, you are either on the right side of the tracks, the side of influence, or you’re on the wrong side of the tracks, the side that bears the brunt of distain, prejudice, and ridicule.

I’m exaggerating, of course, but there are definite perception problems between the northwest and the southeast ends of this county.

Those in Midlothian describe this side of the county as down there. “No, I don’t go down there that much,” they say. I think that the Midlos are far less likely to visit the south than we are to visit the north or west.

But this is not just some odd, silly, or backseat social observation; this northside/southside game is being played out in county politics as well. Consider a recent zoning case in which certain concessions were needed in order for a seed of revitalization to begin to grow on Jefferson Davis Hwy. Bermuda and Dale District Supervisors, who worked on the case, understood the vital importance of gaining a redevelopment foothold on a distressed stretch of “the Pike.” The other three districts, who in my opinion don’t know the struggles, or even battles for renewal, taking place here, have no idea how important it is to gain a foothold on revitalizing the Jefferson Davis corridor.

Those north of the tracks don’t want to compromise on a revitalization project because it will set a bad precedent. Oh, like the millions of taxpayer dollars used to lure a developer to revitalize Cloverleaf Mall? Where’s the equality there?

Consider this: Richmond is celebrating bringing a blues club and a revitalization project to what was once the Hippodrome Theater and the adjacent Elk’s Lodge in Jackson Ward. City Council is considering offering $600,000 to help finance the project. The city has dumped millions into the redevelopment of Broad St. through public and private projects.

Petersburg has been offering developers incentives for years; one of our own supervisors took advantage of that when he and a partner redeveloped a dilapidated luggage company there.

Further south, millions of dollars have been spent to bring new businesses and redevelopment to towns along Rt. 58. The Commonwealth of Virginia dumped millions of dollars in incentives to lure business back to decaying towns like Danville, which is now experiencing a surge of corporate development from businesses such as Ikea and Com.40 Ltd., with the help of almost $9 million of incentives.

Meanwhile, in a 3-to-2 vote with Dale and Bermuda the lone districts in favor, an apartment/retail zoning that would bring Chester Village Green-type architecture to the old Colony Inn and Flippo’s Trailer Court property, was turned down and then delayed for a vote at next week’s BOS meeting. There was no public opposition to the proposed development that could start domino-effect revitalization on Jefferson Davis Hwy.

The county incentive for a developer to take such a chance would be the waiving of cash proffers. According to hometown developer George Emerson, having to pay cash proffers on the Flippo project would make the development too expensive and he would walk away.
So Petersburg offers incentives for redevelopment. Richmond offers incentives for redevelopment. Chesterfield offers incentives for redevelopment on the far side of the tracks at Cloverleaf. So where do the pay-on-the-lot dealers, rent-by-the-week residences, and flea markets end up? Jefferson Davis Hwy.

We have had some success with the Enterprise Zone endeavor on JD, but it’s not a cure all. Chesterfield County – we – need to step up and encourage quality redevelopment on the corridor from Rt. 288 north. And our supervisors from the other side of the tracks should come slumming some time and see just what we’re talking about “down” here.

I’m not sure if the Emerson project is exactly the right project, but it’s here now, and it could be a good start, and a helping hand for the other brave businesses who have come before, investing their time and money to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.

mfausz@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421



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