Mayor Stoney Reacts to Diamond District Funding Lawsuit

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has reacted to a lawsuit aiming to prevent the city from moving forward with its plan to use bonds to fund a new ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Last Wednesday, in a unanimous vote, Richmond City Council approved the use of $170 million in public improvement bonds to help pay for the project. Stoney said plans are moving forward to begin phase one of the project this summer.

“We’re putting things in place so we can put shovels in the ground this summer,” Mayor Stoney said when asked about the status of the City of Richmond’s Diamond District development project.

Local attorney Paul Goldman has filed a lawsuit aiming to stop the plans, saying the project will cost taxpayers millions over the course of 25 years. The first hearing in Goldman’s lawsuit is May 16 at 4 p.m.

“Let’s understand the stadium doesn’t pay for itself. Okay? If it did, it wouldn’t need the city’s money,” Goldman said.

In reference to the MLB threatening to pull the Squirrels from Richmond without the new stadium, Goldman said he doesn’t believe ultimatums should be involved in the matter.

“I’m disappointed in the Squirrels and everybody else who’s just saying, ‘We’ve got to rush it through. It doesn’t really matter. The public has to pay for it, but they’re really not going to find out all the details until the bonds are issued.’ That’s not the way to do business,” Goldman said.

Mayor Stoney has reiterated that expediting the development project remains a priority.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that Major League Baseball is going to push back the deadline,” Stoney said.