Comparing Richmond: RVA vs Houston, NOLA, JAX, and Savannah!

The third week of #SGT26 was a trip from Texas to the Atlantic Ocean. Traveller and I had some real bonding time as we spent a lot of time on the road. We even traveled through the night on one occasion. Good times. 

Leaving San Antonio, we ventured to the largest city in Texas, and the last city in Texas on the trip, Houston. It, along with the next three cities on the trip had a lot in common. They all had major league professional sports, with sport complexes, right in the heart of downtown. This is a concept that I think Richmond really needs to grasp. More on that later. 

Houston is a wonderful town. The first place I visited was Live! at Bayou Place. This is another Cordish property which was developed out of an old convention center. Unlike the other Cordish properties I had visited on the trip, this was all indoors. I maintain that the Power & Light District in Kansas City is my favorite. After Bayou Place, I headed over to Midtown, which is where my gig was that evening. Midtown Houston is a sprawling mixed-use development right next to downtown with apartments on top of shops and restaurants. It was kind of like an urban version of Short Pump, but not so far away. Urban Renewal at its best. It's time we tear down the Diamond and create the Boulevard Retail District with apartments, shops, and restaurants. 

There was one cool thing I found in Houston. While I was entertaining a crowd at the Front Porch Pub, about 10 people came in dressed in biking attire. I asked why they were all dressed like that and they answered, "Pedal Party!" What is a Pedal Party? I'll tell you. It is a bike contraption that seats about 10 people and it is considered a "mobile venue". Yes, that means it has its own alcohol license, thus the on-board keg. Though you cannot walk the streets of Houston with a drink in your hand, you are welcome to rent the Pedal Party (it's a thing) and bar hop via bike from one place to the next. Now, I don't know that the alcohol laws in Virginia would allow this, but I think with our active town and the World Cycling Championship coming in 2015, it would be cool to have.

On to the French Quarter! 

Now, I didn't have a lot of time in New Orleans, but one thing is for certain. The alcohol laws in Louisiana pretty much don't exist. The French Quarter is pure lawlessness. Its just nuts. Walking down Bourbon Street on a Tuesday night was like another country. That said, I think we could bring a taste of Bourbon Street to Shockoe, but in a small dose. Maybe we could turn the small alley where Alley Katz used to be into a miniature Bourbon Street, but it would have to be strictly regulated by City Council. Just a thought, but let's not get too crazy. I walked into a convenience store and yep, there is liquor next to the cigarettes. This is made possible through privatization of package stores (Still think Gov. McDonnell dropped the ball on this). So much change needs to happen to allow Virginia to compete. By no means do I propose that Shockoe be turned into the French Quarter and nor would I ever propose that Virginia just completely tear up the alcohol laws we have in place and adopt the Louisiana laws. It would never happen. I'll get more into what I do propose shortly.

Traveller and I left the French Quarter at 1am for a long drive toJacksonville, Florida. It was my one and only overnight drive. I got to the Mississippi border in an hour, then the Alabama border in an hour, then the Florida border in an hour. Maybe it was my timing, but there really wan't a whole lot going on at 5am on the Gulf Coast. After crossing back into the Eastern Time Zone and a few pit-stops, we finally made it to Jacksonville around 2pm.

Jacksonville is gorgeous and it was great to be back on the East Coast. Three key things I'm going to highlight about Jacksonville. They are an active town, they have a great transportation network, and they have a sports complex right next to downtown. 

First, they have a River Walk on both side of the Jacksonville River and two beautiful bridges that were pedestrian friendly. One of the bridges had blue lights on it, which was pretty cool. This made for an amazing night run. It's a street runner's paradise. So when Richmond finally joins the old pedestrian bridge from Brown's Island to Manchester, put some cool lights on it and call it a day. Thank you Kathleen Watkins! 

Second, they have light rail and it is connected with an inner-city Bus Rapid Transit depot. Hello Main Street Station. And the light rail is above ground held up by concrete posts that are probably no bigger that 8 feet in circumference. Why can we not at least have one track follow Broad Street from Church Hill to Short Pump, with Main Street Station being the central terminal for mass transit in the metropolitan area. At each stop, you could have mini bus terminals. And these systems would run all night so me and Tara McDermott don't have to be DD for everyone! 

Third, they have a sports complex right next to downtown. They have a minor league baseball stadium right next to an arena. Not only should the Diamond be torn down, but the Coliseum needs to go as well. Put a multi-purpose stadium south of Broad to Franklin Street between 18th and the Train Trestle; then put an arena north of Broad to Marshall Street between 18th and the Train Trestle. Parking decks north of the arena along Oliver Hill Way. Now for the arena, you might have to tear down a couple apartment buildings, but I'm sure there are a few empty warehouses that the current property owners and residents would find suitable for relocation reciprocity. Not to mention the money Richmond would make by selling the Coliseum property to a Bio-Tech company and the Diamond to a mixed-use property developer. Hello, Tax Revenue for Schools and Roads. And for you NASCAR Fans, lets throw up a NASCAR museum at the corner of 18th and Grace. There is an empty lot there. You're welcome Gonzalo Aida!

Whipping cross the border, Florida into Georgia. 

Next stop, Savannah. 

Savannah, believe it or not, is smaller than Richmond. It is very similar to us. Take Richmond, make it flat, cut out downtown, and then push Church Hill, the Fan, and Carytown together, and then you would have Savannah. It is a town that stayed true to it's history and decided not to develop into a larger city. The same Victorian style homes that litter Church Hill and the Fan, litter the Historic District of Savannah. One thing that Savannah has down a lot better than Richmond: A thriving Tourism industry. Historic Carriage Tours, Walking Tours, Trolley Tours, Ghost Tours, Bike Tours, Segway Tours, Riverboat Cruises, and more. The City of Savannah in fact has a test that every tour guide has to take in order to give a historic tour of Savannah. Sure Richmond has a few of these things, but not to the scale of Savannah. We have more history than Savannah and have a larger population! What's up with that!? 

Oh and then there is the Alcohol Ordinance. In 1998, the City of Savannah decided to write its own Alcohol Ordinance. In fact, the State of Georgia allows municipalities to regulate alcohol on a local level rather than making it just a state regulation. If you want to be a restaurant and sell alcohol in Savannah, you have to first get a license from the city, then you apply for a state license. Funny how that works right? Oh and the food to alcohol ratio thing? If you sell more than 50% alcohol, you are a bar and can only be open to those 21 and up, and you cannot be open on Sundays. If you sell more than 50% food, you are considered a restaurant and can be open to anybody and can be open on Sundays. Then they have a hybrid license and package store licenses. I could go on and on about this. 

Then there is this little idea that we have seen on my trip in a couple places. The idea that you can walk from bar to bar with a drink in hand. 

So I can take a carriage ride with a Bloody Mary? Yes. 

Can I walk from City Market (which is what the Farmer's Market could be) to River Street and hop on a Savannah Riverboat Cruise (Rockett's Landing could use these) with my beer? Yes. 

Can I act a fool and do something stupid because I'm intoxicated? No, that is still illegal. 

From Jones Street to River Street in the Historic District, you can walk from bar to bar with a drink in your hand as long as you do so in a responsible manner and your drink is in a plastic cup. The Savannah famous to-go cup law. Needless to say, I had a few meetings with city officials. 

So why does Savannah have a more thriving tourism industry when they have half our population and not quite as much history? My research boils down to more liberal alcohol laws with strict local regulation on establishments (restaurants and bars), better transportation systems, cleaner streets, prettier walk-ways, and a higher emphasis on tourism-related activities like Carriage Rides, the Old Towne Trolley Tours, and entertainment. Savannah is just more fun. Richmond can top that!

Here is what I propose: Shockoe be revamped into a Historic Entertainment District. The area would include Brown's Island, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Tobacco Row, and Rockett's Landing. Turn the Farmer's Market into an area similar to the City Market in Savannah. Turn Chapel Island into a large park. A River Walk from Rockett's Landing to Brown's Island. Finish the development of the Canal Walk. A Stadium and an Arena right in the heart of Shockoe. Create an RVA Live! concept that would encompass the four blocks intersecting at 18th and Main. And yes, an ordinance that would allow for to-go cups in this district alone. I think even my friend Shannon Crockett would like this new place in Richmond. The Historic Shockoe Valley District. The end. Thank you again, Katy Phillips. 

That just about does it for this segment. Oh and again, all of these cities have well-lit running trails along the riverfront. As a runner, I will keep stressing this. 

Look for my article next week as I bring the journey home and perhaps another article to summarize the whole trip. Follow my tour with #SGT26 and follow my research with #RVAred. I'm on all social media platforms as DJ mFace, so follow me to learn more and see more.

Don't forget! This Thursday (August 1st) is the Finale Show at the Capital Ale House Music Hall to support Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are on sale at sgt26.eventbrite.com for $10 until July 31st, then they are $15 at the door. Bring friends!

Comparing Richmond: RVA vs OKC, Austin, and San Antonio!

The second week of #SGT26, I traveled through Oklahoma City and a good portion of Texas. Richmond, I have seen a lot this week. There was a lot to be learned and there were a few surprises.

Departing Kansas City was a sad day for I had such a great time and I definitely plan on going back. As the tour continued, Traveller and I ventured through Kansas. Yes, it is as flat as they say and yes, it is quite gorgeous. However, if you plan on travelling on the interstate, make sure you bring lots of toll money, because it cost me $12 just to drive through Kansas, on top of however much it cost me in gas.

Upon my arrival in Oklahoma City, I went to the entertainment district known as Bricktown. I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Oklahoma City has an entertainment district?" Why yes, yes it does. And a rather nice one at that. Bricktown is situated just east of downtown, just like Shockoe is in Richmond.

Bricktown also has a canal walk.

Now, their canal walk stretches for about 2 miles (I know because I ran on it) and it is a little more developed than ours with several restaurants and shops. Guess what else is in this little place they call Bricktown? Yes ladies and gentleman, there is a ballpark. So let's just make sure we are all on the same page, an entertainment district with a canal walk and a ballpark. Hmm, sounds like something familiar. Oh right, it’s what Shockoe could be once it hosts a ballpark.

The Bricktown Canal Walk would be a great model for Venture Richmond, the nonprofit organization that runs the Canal Walk in Richmond, to learn from and grow our own Canal Walk. I think it is perfectly feasible for the Canal Walk in Richmond to have businesses on both sides, from Brown's Island to the Flood Wall near 17th Street. Oh and allow me to reiterate, there is a ballpark in this entertainment district. This is my call to action, let's make it happen!

Next stop was Dallas. I wasn't very impressed with Dallas as they did not have a clear entertainment district, which shocked me being that Dallas is a pretty large Southern city. I also like the Redskins, so saying anything nice about Dallas could be classified as treason. I will say they do have a nice running trail known as the Katy Trail. It is apparently a converted railroad bed that they paved over and made a nice 5-mile running trail in its place. Great concept. I'm sure there is somewhere in Richmond that has an unused railroad track.

On to Austin, Texas. I swear this is the sister city of Richmond. There are a lot of similarities. It’s the capitol city of Texas. It has a few major universities. There is a great music scene, there is your eclectic strip of bars, and then there is your hipster village. The end. Thank you, Katy Phillips.

Ok, so Richmond wants to develop Grace Street. I think they could take the model of Sixth Street and apply it to Grace. Here is the way Sixth Street flows: west of Congress you have your classier restaurants; east of Congress you have your more rambunctious bars and clubs, more of the younger crowd; then you go even further and you are in the hipster village complete with permanent food truck parks. Grace could follow the same model with west of Harrison: hipster village.

Harrison to Belvidere: rambunctious bars and clubs for the VCU kids. Belvidere to Sixth Street: classy restaurants for the Convention Center and downtown professionals. You're welcome, Grace Street!

And for the crown and jewel of the second week, San Antonio. My focal point: the San Antonio Riverwalk. This is what the Canal Walk dreams of becoming. I still think the Canal Walk in OKC is more realistic, but it's ok to dream. First off, the Riverwalk has been around for more than 50 years and has been an integral part of city planning. Just a block away from the Alamo Plaza, the San Antonio Riverwalk hosts countless restaurants, clubs, hotels, an outdoor theater, river cruises and water taxis. While I was on the Riverwalk, I had some great authentic Mexican food, I got a margarita to-go (only a couple places are allowed to do this with a very expensive license), walked on the Riverwalk with a beer (this is only allowed on the Riverwalk, but you can't take alcohol into bars like you can in Kansas City), took an hour-long and very entertaining river cruise, and I saw a couple get engaged (the Riverwalk is quite a romantic place). There is also a little place they call, "Marriage Island." That doesn't really need an explanation.

So what can Richmond learn? Well first, they could build more restaurants on the Canal Walk. They could also build hotels, allow alcohol on the Canal Walk in plastic cups or cans (apparently you can buy a six pack at the store and walk around with it), have enough restaurants and hotels on the Canal Walk to make it necessary to provide a water taxi service, and make a little island where couples can have a small wedding.

Spoiled by Kansas City, I did try and seek out a rooftop pool. I did find one, but it was part of a hotel and it was not quite as exciting. In fact, a lot of the hotels on the Riverwalk have rooftop pools, but they aren't nearly as fun as the Jones Pool in KC. It was, however, good to catch a few rays with a view.

Again, all of these cities have a river trail for running (except Dallas, which has the Katy Trail).

Alright, that just about does it for this week.

Look for my article next week as I head east to Savannah and hit up a few spots along the way. Follow my tour with #SGT26 and follow my research with #RVAred. I'm on all social media platforms as DJ mFace, so follow me to learn more and see more.

Don't forget to check out my Finale Show at the Capital Ale House Music Hall on Aug. 1 to support Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are on sale at sgt26.eventbrite.com for $10 until July 26th, after that they are $15 at the door. Bring friends!

Comparing Richmond: RVA vs Louisville, St. Louis, and Kansas City!

On July 8, I set out on a 26-day journey to 16 cities across the southeastern United States to support Habitat for Humanity affiliates and learn a few things from each city.

This first week was an adventure to Kansas City with three cities on the way. And I have already seen so much. Let's dive right into it, shall we?

Traveller (my car which is so cleverly named after Robert E. Lee's loyal horse) and I left Richmond a week ago and our first stop was Charleston, W.Va.

On the way there, we of course had to make a pit stop in Lexington, Va., to see the resting of place of the actual Traveller at Lee's Chapel. Continuing on, the ride through West Virginia was absolutely gorgeous with mountain views and river valleys, we (Yes, I am including Traveller) reached Charleston around 3 p.m. on a Monday.

I'm going to be honest. There is not a whole lot to do in Charleston on a Monday. It's kind of quiet. So, if that's what you are looking for, go to Charleston on Monday. I will say, the run along the Kanawha River was pretty awesome. As my stepmother would say, moving onward!

On Tuesday, the trip through Kentucky to Louisvillehosted amazing views of rolling hills and beautiful fields. Rolling into Louisville, you are greeted by the Ohio River on your right and the pretty skyline in front of you.

I parked Traveller on Main Street and walked to what I am came there for, Louisville Live! This is an entertainment district designed by the Cordish Companies (we will talk about them again later) complete with several entertaining bars, restaurants, and a street that easily converts into a stage.

Unfortunately, I was in town on a Tuesday and this place is only hopping on the weekends. Louisville Live! is an amazing concept, as are a lot of the Cordish properties. Another part of Louisville, and where my gig was, is called the Highlands.

If Carytown and the Fan had a baby, you would get the Highlands. It's two miles of bars, restaurants and shops. And just like Richmond, it hosts quite an eclectic mix of people and atmospheres. I would definitely come back to Louisville!

My next stop was St. Louis.

Rolling down the western portion of 64 (yes, it goes that far), I was welcomed to the STL by the oh-so-amazingGateway Arch. Of course I checked it out, calm down. I won't bore you with the details, but I will tell you that it's 630 feet tall and wide, and it has an observation deck (great view!).

The next thing I saw was Busch Stadium, and baseball was in my face for the duration of my stay in St. Louis. They love the Cardinals. If you think we are crazy about the Squirrels, child please! Their stadium is also built downtown. There are a few advantages to this I noticed.

First, their traffic plan is well thought out with a good flow of one way streets. Two, parking is abundant. Three, if the stadium is full, you can just watch the game from the 360 Rooftop Bar.

This got me thinking. Wouldn't it be cool to watch a Squirrels game from the observation deck at City Hall or from one of the office buildings downtown. I think we should also recruit a rooftop bar as well (more on that later).

If we leave the stadium at the Boulevard, these ideas would not be possible. I was lucky enough to be in the STL on a game day, so I got to see what it’s like in a town with a ballpark in a downtown setting. People everywhere, the Gateway Arch was crawling with Cardinals fans, bars were busy, and then when it was game time everyone headed to Busch.

Bars were still somewhat busy, but when the game was over, bars were packed again! The lesson learned from this: Shockoe Bottom would benefit greatly from a stadium. PS, the Mississippi River is huge.

The week ended with amazement in Kansas City. I can't even begin to describe how awesome Kansas City is.

I know some of you are reading this like, "Really, Kansas City?” Yes, really! Remember how we talked about the Cordish Companies? They come into play here.

In 2006, people worked downtown, but after that, they went home. In 2007, that all changed. There was a wasting away area of town known as the Power & Light District, which was like an emptier version of Shockoe Bottom.

There was nothing there. But then, the mayor of Kansas City called on the Cordish Companies to fix it.

Today, the Power & Light District is a booming entertainment district that I can only briefly explain, or I could write a book, which ever you prefer.

It is anchored by the Sprint Center, which is a basketball arena that seats more than 18,000 people (Richmond needs this!). Right next to it is what is known as the KC Live! block.

Louisville Live! was pretty cool, but this blows it out of the water.

There are 16 bars that surround an open-air courtyard (with a roof in case it rains) that hosts its own bar known as the Living Room, and of course there is a full concert stage as well.

My favorite part: People can walk from bar to bar with a drink in their hand. How is this possible?

Well, the Cordish Companies got a special entertainment district permit passed through the Missouri General Assembly that allows patrons of the KC Live! block to go from bar to bar with a plastic cup filled with alcohol.

Unfortunately, you can't leave the KC Live! block with your drink like you might be able to do in Savannah. There are a couple more blocks of bars, restaurants, and shops in the P&L.

One more thing I need to highlight about this district. Across the street from the KC Live! block is a parking deck.

Now, this isn't your average parking deck. It shares space with a grocery store. Ok, that's kind of cool. Not done yet. Above the parking deck, there is a green space that is available for event rentals. Yeah, still not done yet. Above the grocery store, yep, rooftop pool with a bar and cabana beds. No big deal.

During the day on the weekends, this place, known as the Jones Pool, is like a daytime club filled with young and attractive people. Needless to say, I was there on Saturday and Sunday. See my Facebook page for photos. Whoever owns the 12th Street garage, take notes and get to work because this needs to happen in Richmond. Or we can just wait until RVA Live! is built right next to Shockoe Stadium?

Ok, so that is the main part of Kansas City that I visited, but I did want to touch on a few other places in the KC.

There is Country Club Plaza, which is what would happen if Carytown and Short Pump had a baby, and what I think would work perfectly for the Boulevard. Then there is Westport, which is like a condensed version of the Fan. Apparently, Kansas City doesn't like long walks on the sidewalk. Then there is the Riverfront.

Did I mention that all four of these cities have running trails along their riverfront? Like right next to it. Can't wait for Richmond to complete the Riverfront Plan!

Well, that covers a good amount of my travels this week.

Look for my article next week as I head south to San Antonio and hit up a few spots along the way.

Follow my tour with #SGT26 and follow my research with #RVAred. I'm on all social media platforms as DJ mFace, so follow me to learn more and see more. Don't forget to check out my Finale Show at the Capital Ale House Music Hall on Aug. 1 to support Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. Bring friends!