It’s about time. Honestly, if you’ve lived in Richmond for more than a few years, you’ve heard the same song and dance a dozen times. The Diamond is old. It’s crumbling. It’s a "concrete relic." We’ve been hearing about a replacement since the Braves left for Gwinnett back in 2008. But this time? It’s actually real. The Richmond Flying Squirrels new stadium, officially part of the massive Diamond District redevelopment, isn’t just a fever dream anymore.
The city is moving. Dirt is actually being prepped.
Look, The Diamond has charm, but it’s the kind of charm a car has right before the transmission drops out on the interstate. It’s a 1980s beast that doesn’t meet modern Minor League Baseball (MiLB) standards. If the city didn't act, the Squirrels were gone. Major League Baseball basically gave every city an ultimatum: upgrade your facilities or lose your team. Richmond chose to keep the fun.
The Diamond District is more than just a ballpark
We need to stop calling it just a stadium project. It’s huge. The Richmond Flying Squirrels new stadium is the anchor for a $2.4 billion revitalization of 67 acres in the Greater Scott’s Addition area. We’re talking about a massive shift in how that part of the city looks. Think apartments, hotels, retail spaces, and a massive public park.
The stadium itself is expected to cost somewhere in the ballpark of $110 million to $120 million. That's a lot of scratch. To pay for it, the city is using Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Essentially, the tax revenue generated by the new development pays off the bonds used to build the stadium. It’s a gamble, sure, but it’s one that cities like Durham and Charlotte have won big on.
The new venue will seat about 10,000 people. 7,000 of those are fixed seats, with the rest being "lifestyle" seating—think berms, standing room, and hospitality areas. It’s going to be way more intimate than The Diamond. No more sitting a mile away from the dugout behind a concrete pillar.
What actually happens to The Diamond?
It’s coming down. Eventually.
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The plan is to keep The Diamond operational while the new stadium is built right next door. Once the Flying Squirrels—the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants—move into their new home, the old concrete giant will be demolished to make way for more of the Diamond District’s phases. It’s bittersweet for some, but mostly just sweet. Have you used the bathrooms at The Diamond lately? Exactly.
Why MLB forced Richmond's hand
This wasn't just about Richmond wanting something shiny. In 2020, Major League Baseball took over the minor leagues and stripped the number of teams down to 120. They released a set of "Facility Standards" that were non-negotiable.
The Diamond failed. Badly.
The clubhouses are too small. There’s no dedicated space for female staff or umpires. The training facilities look like a high school gym from the 70s. The lighting is subpar. If the city didn't commit to the Richmond Flying Squirrels new stadium, MLB would have eventually pulled the San Francisco Giants' affiliation. Richmond would have been left with a massive, empty stadium and no pro ball.
The new stadium fixes all of that. We’re looking at state-of-the-art batting cages, better drainage (no more three-day puddles in the outfield), and lights that don't flicker when someone plugs in a toaster.
The timeline: When can we actually buy a beer there?
Deadlines have shifted. They always do.
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The original goal was the 2025 season, but bureaucratic hurdles and financing tweaks pushed things back. Currently, the city and the development team, led by Thalhimer Realty Partners and Loop Lab Properties, are aiming for a 2026 opening. It’s an aggressive schedule.
Construction is a beast.
- Site prep and infrastructure: Moving pipes and leveling ground.
- Vertical construction: When you’ll actually see the steel frame.
- Interior finishing: The luxury suites and locker rooms.
- Turf and tech: The final touches before opening day.
Every month of delay costs money because of inflation and rising material costs. The City Council has been under a lot of pressure to keep this on the rails. They recently approved a move to have the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) issue the bonds to keep interest rates manageable. It’s a bit of "inside baseball" (pun intended), but it’s what keeps the project solvent.
Local impact and the "Green Space" promise
Richmond loves its parks. One of the biggest selling points of this whole Diamond District mess is the promise of public space. We aren't just getting a stadium that sits locked up 300 days a year. The plans call for an 11-acre "Linear Park" that connects the neighborhood.
Parking is going to be a nightmare for a while. Let’s be real.
The new design moves away from the "sea of asphalt" look. They’re planning structured parking (decks) and hoping people will use the Pulse bus or bike. It’s a very "New Richmond" approach. Whether it works in a city that loves its cars remains to be seen. But the idea is to create a walkable district where you can grab a beer at a brewery in Scott’s Addition, walk to the game, and then grab dinner afterward without ever touching your keys.
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The Flying Squirrels' identity
There was some fear that a new stadium might mean a name change or a "corporate" rebranding. Lou DiBella, the team's owner, has been pretty vocal about keeping the Squirrels' soul intact. The "Nutzy" and "Zippy" mascots aren't going anywhere. The fireworks aren't going anywhere.
The team has been one of the most successful in the Eastern League despite playing in one of the worst stadiums. They lead the league in attendance almost every year. Imagine what they’ll do with a stadium that people actually want to hang out in.
Is this a good deal for taxpayers?
That's the million-dollar question. Or rather, the $120 million question.
Critics argue that stadium subsidies are a raw deal for cities. They point to studies saying the economic "multiplier effect" is often overstated. However, the Diamond District isn't just a stadium. It’s an infill project on city-owned land that currently produces zero property tax. By turning it into a mixed-use neighborhood, the city is creating a tax base where one didn't exist.
If the development around the Richmond Flying Squirrels new stadium fills up with high-end apartments and busy restaurants, the project pays for itself. If the economy tanks and the retail stays empty? Then the city has a problem. But given how fast Scott’s Addition has grown, most experts are leaning toward the "it'll work" side of the fence.
What you can do now
Don't wait for 2026 to engage. The Diamond District is a public project, and there are ways to keep the developers accountable.
- Follow the Planning Commission: They meet regularly to discuss the specific zoning and design tweaks for the stadium. If you care about bike lanes or height limits, that’s where the fight happens.
- Visit The Diamond one last time: Seriously. For all its faults, there’s a history there. Catch a game this summer. Smell the stale beer and hot dogs. It’s the end of an era.
- Check the RFP updates: The city's website often posts the latest Request for Proposals and design renderings. You can see how the layout of the park and the stadium concourse is evolving.
- Support the local businesses: The breweries and shops in Scott's Addition are going to be under a lot of construction stress over the next 24 months. If you want them to be there when the stadium opens, go buy a pint now.
The transition from a 1985 concrete bowl to a modern sports district is messy. It's loud, it's expensive, and it's taking way longer than anyone wanted. But for the first time in twenty years, the plans are signed, the money is moving, and the Squirrels are staying put. Richmond is finally growing up, at least on the corner of Arthur Ashe Boulevard.