The City of Richmond announced on April 9 the official opening of CarMax Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Centerfield Gates, marking a major milestone in the transformation of the Diamond District. The event took place before the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ 2026 home opener and included city officials, project partners, and representatives from Major League Baseball.
The opening of CarMax Park is seen as an important step in turning the Diamond District into a vibrant sports and entertainment destination. Mayor Danny Avula said, “We are thrilled to finally cut the ribbon and open the gates on this stunning anchor to what will surely be a corridor-of-choice for residents and visitors near and far. Walking through the park, seeing the joy and feeling the energy, it’s impossible not to get excited about what the park means for this area and for our City and I can’t wait to see how the Diamond District continues to unfold over the coming years.”
CarMax Park serves as both a new home for baseball fans—accommodating up to 10,000 people—and as a flexible venue designed for concerts, festivals, community gatherings, and corporate events throughout the year. The stadium was built through collaboration between public agencies such as Richmond’s Economic Development Authority (EDA), private developers including Navigators Baseball LLC (the Flying Squirrels), Gilbane Building Company as general contractor, and Machete Group overseeing project management.
The ceremony featured remarks from key stakeholders including Cynthia Newbille (Richmond City Council President), Katherine Jordan (Council Vice President), Angie Rodgers (Director of Economic Development), Ben Rothrock (Chief Operating Officer of Richmond Flying Squirrels), Lou DiBella (President & Managing General Partner), Sarah Lane (Chief Marketing Officer at CarMax) and Morgan Sword from Major League Baseball. Angie Rodgers said: “CarMax Park is an incredible addition to Richmond and a powerful reflection of our city’s energy and momentum. We’re excited to kick off the season in this amazing venue and to see the continued transformation of the Diamond District come to life.”
Looking forward, additional construction is planned around CarMax Park including new streets, infrastructure improvements serving Phase 1A developments like The Doma—a multifamily complex with 274 units—a trophy office building supported by structured parking garages nearby. Plans also include retail space exceeding 30,000 square feet; a hotel with 180 rooms; plus affordable housing units.
These investments aim to create a connected neighborhood that attracts visitors while supporting local businesses. As more projects are completed within Phase One of development led by Thalhimer Realty Partners/Diamond District Partners, city leaders expect further growth in residential options along with commercial opportunities.
