RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — “The Diamond is crumbling, our neighbors in the counties say they can’t help replace it. We already have lost one team because of it, but I am here today to say we’re not going to lose another team.”
Those were the words of Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones in 2013. Now, things are spiraling in a much different direction.
Two years ago, Jones unveiled plans for a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom, but those plans eventually struck out. Months ago the city unveiled plans to build a free standing children’s hospital where the Diamond currently stands, but those plans have been put on hold. On Monday, the mayor introduced a resolution to develop the Boulevard, with no mention of the Flying Squirrels.
The team’s president, Lou Dibella, says the organization feels abandoned.
“We may be evicted in 2018. We want to stay in the city limits of Richmond and we want to be on the Boulevard,” said Dibella. “Most places, these urban areas, are looking to bring in a sports team, not looking to punt them out of town.”
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