Richmond EDA seeks developer for Intermediate Terminal Building

For at least a decade, Richmond’s Economic Development Authority has sought to redevelop the city-owned Intermediate Terminal Building, but plans to repurpose the nearly 90-year-old former warehouse have yet to materialize. That may soon change, however.

The EDA on Monday issued a request for proposals for the reuse, redevelopment or rehabilitation of the 32,000-square-foot building located at 3101 E. Main St. in Richmond, situated along the James River adjacent to the Rocketts Landing neighborhood, the Riverfront Pulse BRT and Capital Trail. ​​In a statement, the city’s interim chief administrative officer, Sharon Ebert, described the RFP as “a rare opportunity to shape the future of Richmond’s riverfront.”

The building was originally built in 1938 as a warehouse for the storage of raw sugar, sand, gravel, gas, and oil, among other items. EDA senior development manager DJ Mulkey said the property has been largely vacant for at least two decades, although it has been used to store voting machines between elections.

The city wants the building to remain standing, as stated in the RFP, which specifies, “Demolition is not an option for this project.” However, the RFP says the city will consider plans involving additional new construction if contextually appropriate.

The EDA will evaluate proposals on their proposed use, fiscal impact, community benefits and the experience of the developer or business. Mulkey told Virginia Business in an email the EDA is open “to any and all adaptive reuse ideas that are financially viable, activate the riverfront and provide a positive economic impact for the community.”

In 2015, Stone Brewing Co. announced plans to build a bistro within the Intermediate Terminal building, modeled after the company’s existing Stone World Bistro & Gardens locations. But the bistro never came to fruition. To the best of his recollection, Mulkey said, a federal grant that would have made the project viable fell through, and Stone Brewing scrapped it.

The RFP notes that the building is immediately bordered by Gillies Creek, which poses challenges and flood risks and complicates redevelopment efforts. FEMA flood maps place the base flood elevation in the area more than four feet above the structure’s first floor.

The request also asks respondents to include in their proposals plans to provide sufficient parking for proposed uses.

The EDA plans to have a site tour on July 24. All submissions are due by Aug. 28.

“It is a chance to create something that connects people to their environment, to enhance our outdoor recreational assets and to fuel Richmond’s economic momentum,” said acting EDA Director Matt Welch in a statement. “So we are looking for proposals that are fit for that purpose, and which keep the community and the natural landscape front of mind.”