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Why Richmond, Why?!?

We've got a lot of "Why Richmond, Why?!?" questions to cover this week, folks. From new restaurants, fears of a mall on its way down to plenty more roadway questions.

So let's just get right to it, Richmond. You asked, we answered. And, as always, please keep the questions coming.

We've heard there's a restaurant or maybe a café opening soon at 901 W. Marshall St., near the VCU Arts building, do you know what it's going to be called and when it's opening?

-- Brian

I sure do. It's called The Black Sheep (901 W. Marshall St., 804-648-1300) and it opened on Tuesday, April 15. The casual eatery is affordable and open for three-square meals a day Tuesday through Sunday. Notable menu items include vegetarian matzo ball soup, an inventive selection of sandwiches and breakfast fare and a handful of dinner entrees.

Why are many of the businesses at Stony Point leaving? It appears The Sharper Image is leaving, and when I was over there last week, there were several vacant storefronts. Is Stony Point going the way of Cloverleaf this quickly?

-- Jennifer

Joe Frye , general manager for Stony Point Fashion Park, answers:



"The Sharper Image Corporation sought bankruptcy protection in January and is closing a large number of stores. While any store loss is regrettable, national bankruptcy filings by large corporations do not necessarily reflect individual store performances. Stony Point Fashion Park continues to actively bring unique retailers into our already exciting selection. In 2007 new openings included: Tickle Your Fancy, Select Comfort, Bella Vino, LensCrafters, Pottery Creations, and Upscale Scrubs.



"We are anticipating several new retailer coming soon announcements in the near future including a new restaurant that will join our already outstanding selection. Our sit-down restaurant selection has been well received by Richmond dinners and includes Brio Tuscan Grille, P.F Chang's China Bistro, Champps Restaurant, Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro and Fleming's Steakhouse and Wine Bar. In addition to Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread and Subway.



"Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard's and Dick's Sporting Goods, Stony Point Fashion Park offers a dynamic mix of world class merchants and restaurants. Nearly half of Stony Point Fashion Park's retailers are exclusive to the area and many are exclusive to the state of Virginia. The eclectic merchandise mix and intimate, park like setting is like nothing else available in the Richmond market."  

I like when crossing I-195 South (Powhite Parkway) and going across the bridge there are two turn lanes for Forest Hill Ave. However and unfortunately, the drivers who want to get off on Forest Hill really only have one exit lane (the one farthest to the right) due to all the drivers waiting until the last second to switch lanes to go through to the Toll Plaza just so they can get in front of 10 other cars. This causes a delay because they have to wait at the mercy of other drivers to let them merge in.

Then this in turn creates heavy traffic in the far right lane for Forest Hill exiters. It seems like it was better for traffic (especially around 5 p.m.) when it was a stay straight or turn option for the left lane. After all the construction is done, is there a chance that something can be done to clear up some of the traffic that occurs when crossing the bridge for the Forest Hill exiters, such as a barricade of sort that forces drivers over sooner, and does not allow them to "cheat" the line of traffic?

-- Patrice

Linda McElroy , public relations manager for Richmond Metropolitan Authority, answers:

"As operators of toll roads, safety along our roadway is very important to us. After all of the construction is completed, we anticipate a significant reduction in traffic along the Powhite Parkway, including around the Forest Hill Avenue exit. This will hopefully reduce the number of 'cheats' who may aid in the delay of travel. Unfortunately, in order to complete construction, we had to create the two turn-only lanes.

"Also, once the express lanes open, those wishing to exit onto northbound Chippenham will need to get into the full service lanes regardless if they have an E-ZPass. Although some feel it would be pointless to have the E-ZPass if they have to use the cash lanes, more than half of our motorists have E-ZPass – once the express lanes open, that traffic population will be moved out of the cash toll lanes. Congestion will be significantly reduced."  

What's happening with the John Rolfe extension project? I remember reading near the beginning of the year that the part between Church/Pump intersections to Broad Street was approved and construction was supposed to start beginning of March. But I have not seen any signs of anything happening yet.

-- David

Edward L. Priestas , director of public works for Henrico County, answers:

"The initial phase (Phase I) of John Rolfe Parkway has been bid and a contract awarded.  The contractor should begin work next week.

"Phase I of John Rolfe Parkway includes the construction of the road from West Broad Street to the existing intersection of Church Road and Pump Road, You may recall that significant modifications will take place to the intersection as a part of this project. Road improvements are also planned on Pump Road (north and south of Church Road) and on Pump Road (east and west of Pump Road) as a part of Phase I.

"We are currently updating and finalizing plans to bid Phase II of the Project.  This is expected to be advertised in early 2009. 

"Phase II of John Rolfe Parkway extends the road from Pump Road, at a point just south of Church Road, to the existing intersection of Ridgefield Parkway and John Rolfe Parkway.

"Phase III of the John Rolfe Parkway project really does not include the John Rolfe Parkway specifically but deals with widening Pump Road to the ultimate four lane road generally between Sunrise Road and Three Chopt Road.  No schedule for this work is available at this time.

"You can also go to henricoroads.com and click on John Rolfe Parkway to get more information."

Why does it take so long to get bags at the Richmond Airport after arrival? It is much longer than most airports. Plus, the airport is tiny so it should take less time!

-- Michelle

I echo Michelle's question/frustration about RIC airport. The baggage area never has updated information about which carousel to use, so we just wander back and forth, waiting for one of them to start moving. Why does it take so long - and why can't we know ahead of time which carousel our bags will be coming from?

-- Megan

Megan, Richmond International Airport dedicates specific baggage carousels for specific airlines. American Airlines has No. 1, US Airways No. 2, Jet Blue has No. 6, and so on. So unless there's a technical issue, your bags should always go to the same place. The full list is posted in the airport and on its Web site.

For the rest of it, I'll let Troy Bell , director of marketing and air service development for Capital Region Airport Commission, answer:

"The airport recognizes that this can be an issue from time to time, but cannot agree that this is situation exists only in Richmond. Far too much evidence to the contrary.

"Locally, RIC is working with the airlines to continue to improve delivery times, and can state that most airlines have responded well to airport initiatives which have included new and expended facilities, improved technology to communicate with customers, and measurement tools readily available to airline managers. While baggage delivery is not the airport's direct responsibility, there is no denying that an unsatisfactory experience on even one trip can impact the long-term perception of the services at an airport. Regarding baggage delivery, the bottom line is commitment and focus by an airline to deliver bags expeditiously makes the difference between a reasonable wait or an ordeal.

"When a plane arrives, the airline or its contractor offloads the bag, drives the cart/s to baggage claim, and unloads luggage onto assigned carousels. At RIC, the distance from gate to carousel can easily be covered on foot in less than 5 minutes, even less by motorized tugs. When luggage is not delivered quickly, our investigations have generally identified insufficient or inexperienced staffing, a shortage of supervision, or lack of adherence to established standards at the airline level as the primary causes.

"The airport is responsible for providing the facility for use by customers and airlines. Last summer, the airport completed an expansion of the baggage claim areas, offering more than twice as much capacity (as well as quadrupled floor space for travelers) as ever before without sacrificing proximity to aircraft parking positions. Aside from relatively rare mechanical problems with a carousel (in which case the offloading would be shifted to an available adjacent carousel), delivering bags in an expeditious manner and providing carousel delivery information to customers is the sole responsibility of each respective air carrier."

So what do you want to know, Richmond? Send questions to: karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com with "Why Richmond, Why?!?" in the subject line or leave it in the comments sections below.

Read more "Why Richmond, Why?!?" columns

April 14 : Traffic issues, new stores and ugly trash cans.

April 7 : Is Dave and Busters coming to Richmond? What about Wegman's grocery store?

March 21 : Ikea, city sidewalks and pot holes.

March 10 : Charter schools, voting booths and traffic conditions.

Feb. 25 : Recycling in Richmond and the Powhite toll plaza.