Henrico accepting reimagined plans to bring Commonwealth’s largest indoor arena to the county

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County is gearing up for the what's next in the future of the arena-anchored project formerly known as "GreenCity."

On Tuesday, May 27, the county released a "Request for Interest" to see what the development community has in mind for the site along I-95. County officials have rebranded this spot as "Best Products Reimagined."

8News spoke with Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority's Executive Director Dennis Bickmeier to learn more.

"Everywhere I go in this community, I'm getting people asking, you know, 'What's going on with the arena, what's next for the arena?' Bickmeier reflected. "Well, this is what's next."

The local leader explained that this RFI release symbolizes the county getting the ball rolling on the next step in a long-term dream. Planning officials are looking for a new gameplan to bring what could be the Commonwealth's largest indoor arena to Henrico.

However, this pursuit comes in parallel with an ongoing legal battle. Back in March, 8News learned the company initially chosen to take on the multi-billion dollar project -- GreenCity Corporation -- had fallen behind on payments. GreenCity then missed the county's last-ditch deadline to pay-up in order to keep the project on track. Since then, the county has been navigating a legal battle with the former developers to repurchase the 93 acre "Best Products" property.

"We'll let the legal process do what it does in the time that it that it takes," Bickmeier clarified. "But we're going to go ahead and get some interest, or see what the interest is coming back on the arena mixed use and run those, side by side."

Meanwhile, Bickmeier emphasized that excitement behind the project continues to build. According to the RFI documentation release, planning leaders are looking for development teams with an aspirational vision. They want the site to have hotels, green space, residential space and office space. Bickmeier confirmed to 8News that they're specifically shooting for an ice hockey tenant. Plus, the county wants the 17,000 capacity space to be competitive for big ticket events like NBAA basketball, concerts and more.

8News asked how county officials feel moving forward after the project began with such a rocky start.

"[I am] very confident in kind of getting this restarted and kicked off again," Bickmeier said. "You know, we're going to be very focused on the types of groups and developers that submit their responses. [Planning leaders will] vet them, you know, very, very hard."

Interested development teams have until July 28th to submit. I'm told this is one major step in what we can expect to be a very long process, but leaders tell me they are confident in this next chapter. For more information on what the county is looking for and how developers can submit, click here. Details about the RFI can be found here.