Guests were treated to an insightful panel discussion about the near-term and long-term phases of the city’s massive Diamond District project, anchored by the Flying Squirrels new ballpark that’s already under construction.

The panel consisted of: Jason Guillot, principal, Thalhimer Realty Partner/Diamond; City Councilmember Katherine Jordan, representing Richmond’s 2nd District; Ed McLaughlin, director of VCU Athletics; and Kevin Vonck, director of Richmond’s Department Planning and Development Review.

Guillot shared new images of how the next phases will take shape, including details about the apartments and hotel that will make up the first leg.

McLaughlin explained how VCU’s 42-acre Athletic Village will come together in the neighborhood and the role VCU played in getting the Diamond District negotiations going in the first place.

Vonck explained how his department is involved in shaping what is essentially a new neighborhood being built from scratch, while Jordan discussed how City Council and the city government are continuing to oversee the project and ensure the developers achieve the prescribed milestones.