Built in 1973, the Ramada Inn in Petersburg is now boarded up and overrun with ivy. The city wants to demolish the building, which is next to I-95.
The former Ramada Inn in Petersburg that has been closed since 2012 will be demolished.
A news conference with state and city officials is planned for Monday at the site at 380 E. Washington St.
The building, constructed in 1973, has faced various code violations and legal issues as it has fallen into disrepair. It was sold to C.A. Harrison Companies and Virginia Hotel Group in 2018.
The city is getting $2.6 million to demolish and redevelop the site and two adjacent parcels.
The General Assembly approved financing the project.
“I can’t wait until it comes down,” said Del. Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie, who worked with Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, to secure financing for the demolition. “We need more tourism and business to come to Petersburg. Tearing down this eyesore is the first step in transforming and preparing the city for economic development. My mission, from day one, is to make sure our city draws business and keeps residents.”
The hotel is expected to torn down by the end of December.
Saturday
The RVA Duck Race is back, now hosted by the Autism Society of Central Virginia, and with a new event: a Festival of Inclusion, Richmond’s first sensory-friendly festival designed to include individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The event will kick off with music and family activities on Brown’s Island, followed by 15,000 plastic ducks racing down the canal. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fifth and Tredegar streets. Free to watch; fee to race a duck; pay as you go at the festival. https://ascv.org/
Saturday
The Down Home Family Reunion celebrates African American folk life with music, dance, stories, food and shopping. Featuring go-go music from Big Tony & Trouble Funk as well as Africa Unplugged and the Pan Masters Steel Orchestra and many more. Abner Clay Park, 200 W. Clay St. 4-11 p.m. Free entry; pay as you go. (804) 644-3900 or www.efsinc.org
Saturday
Indie rock stars The Shins head to Richmond on their 21st anniversary tour for “Oh, Inverted World,” their album that marked a major shift in indie music in 2001. 8 p.m. The National, 708 E. Broad St. $70-$77. (888) 929-7849 or thenationalva.com
Friday
Florida rockers Dashboard Confessional, known for their 2006 hit “Stolen” and “Vindicated” from the “Spider-Man 2” movie head to the After Hours concert series at The Meadow Event Park. Andrew McMahon opens. 6 p.m. (doors at 5 p.m.) 1319111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell. $31-$99. www.afterhoursconcertseries.com
Saturday
In its second year, the Festival of Virginia Fiddling at Dogwood Dell will feature Skip Ashby and Free State Ramblers from Fauquier County performing old-time music; Los Cardenales de Morazan, a family band playing the music of El Salvador; Kamalakiran Vinjamuri, playing carnatic violin music of South India; and Andy Cleveland and The Irish Session, sharing music from central Virginia. There will be a public jam session in the morning, free fiddling workshops from noon to 3 p.m., concerts from 5 to 9 p.m. and an open square dance until 10 p.m. Adjacent to 1300 Blanton Ave. Free. (804) 646-1031 or rva.gov/parks-recreation/dogwood-dell
After threatening legal action when state lawmakers passed legislation that undermined his company’s plans to build a casino in Richmond, Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins announced Thursday night that he will focus on promoting a casino referendum in 2023 instead of this fall.
A counselor for the state’s largest public school system kept his job for more than a year and a half after his arrest in Chesterfield on charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
A man who police believe took his own life by jumping from the state Route 10 bridge into the Appomattox River in Hopewell was a U.S. Army captain based at Fort Lee, a base spokeswoman confirmed Friday.
A 19-year-old Henrico County man was sentenced to serve eight years in prison last week in the shooting death of his 18-year-old girlfriend, whose body was found partially propped up against the back door of an apartment where they were temporarily staying. Whether the shooting was intentional or accidental was never resolved.
Built in 1973, the Ramada Inn in Petersburg is now boarded up and overrun with ivy. The city wants to demolish the building, which is next to I-95.
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