Greater Richmond Chamber stands behind Mayor's plan for new ball - Western Mass News - WGGB/WSHM

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones addressed hundreds of members of the Greater Richmond Chamber at the downtown Marriott, Wednesday, urging them to help him make his dream of putting a new ball park in Shockoe Bottom a reality.

"I need you to call City Council members and ask them to vote for this plan," said Jones.

The Chamber is behind the mayor's plan for not just a new ball park, but a new grocery store, apartments, a hotel, and a slave heritage site.

"It brings a lot more than just baseball, it's really about economic development," said Doug Roth of the Greater Richmond Chamber.

"It's time for us to build for the future, and it's time for us to do it together," said Jones to about 700 people attending.

In order to bring all of these ideas to life, the city would have to make some changes to zoning and property, and right now, not everyone's on board.

"Many people don't like change, this is change, this is real change," said Jones.

Mayor Jones says he welcomes the discussion, but one thing is absolute.

"We need more money," he said.

His plan will not only grow the city but help end one of Richmond's biggest problems: poverty.

"It's really a choice, between staying where we are, or going back," said Jones.

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