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Fencing blocks off 17th Street and the Farmers’ Market — the first step in a $4.3 million facelift that will transform the street and the marketplace between Main and Franklin streets into a European-style plaza. Despite the work, restaurants and shops that face the market remain open for business, with owners and operators hoping customers will continue to stop by. The transformation is expected to be finished by March. When done, the revamped market is to be the outdoor extension of nearby Main Street Station, whose interior has been redone and includes a huge, glass-faced event space, a soon-to-open tourist welcome center and room for retail shops. The project is part of the city’s spending to rejuvenate the Shockoe Bottom area. Nearby to the west, the city plans to invest more than $19 million to develop a museum-style space to recall Richmond’s role in the slave trade more than 150 years ago.

Fencing blocks off 17th Street and the Farmers’ Market — the first step in a $4.3 million facelift that will transform the street and the …

Published on August 11, 2017

Courtesy of Henrico County Dedication to dedicated worker // Elvin R. Cosby, 90, the longest-serving Henrico County employee, breaks into applause when he is surprised Monday with the county naming of a street in his honor. The new street, Elvin Cosby Way, is located within the Henrico County Government Center off Parham Road and connects Prince Henry and Dison Powers drives. Mr. Cosby, who still serves as a maintenance supervisor for the Henrico Department of Public Works, was first hired by the county 72 years ago on April 23, 1946. In 2015, the county established the Elvin R. Cosby Award to recognize longtime employees for outstanding contributions and service. Next month, Mr. Cosby is to be recognized with the Judith M. Mueller Local Government Service Award from the American Public Works Association for his continuous service to the county.

Courtesy of Henrico County Dedication to dedicated worker // Elvin R. Cosby, 90, the longest-serving Henrico County employee, breaks into applause when he is surprised …

Published on April 30, 2018

Mayor Levar M. Stoney, center, is flanked by City Council members Kim Gray, center left, and Ellen Robertson as he leads the official groundbreaking Tuesday for a $34 million apartment complex going up on the former site of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 1st and Jackson Streets in Jackson Ward. The bell in the background is the last remnant of the long demolished church that at one time was the first Catholic church in the country built for a black congregation. When completed, the complex is to include 154 units, with 72 to be set aside for current residents of Fay Towers, which is being vacated. Also taking part are representatives of the development partners the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Community Preservation and Development Corp., as well as those of other participating public agencies and private companies.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney, center, is flanked by City Council members Kim Gray, center left, and Ellen Robertson as he leads the official groundbreaking Tuesday …

Published on September 28, 2018

Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at the Manchester Dock. The three-day event, organized by the Elegba Folklore Society and its founder, Janine Y. Bell, marks the date on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom after the defeat of the Confederates and Union forces took control of that state. Richmond’s celebration included educational sessions for people of all ages to learn about Africans brought to this nation 400 years ago and their struggles and contributions. At Saturday’s events, called “Independence Day Our Way,” Mary Williams sits in reflection at the site, which once served as a landing point for slave ships on the James River. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press).

Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at the Manchester …

Published on June 21, 2019

At 100, every day is a celebration, but it’s even better when the community recognizes your longevity. Eleven Richmonders were honored Sept. 21 at the 7th Annual Mayor’s Centenarian Celebration to publicly recognize city residents who turned 100 or older during 2019. Nine of the honorees attending the luncheon event held at a Downtown hotel are, seated from left, Lillie Etta Corbin Berry, 101; Josephine Johnson Bigger, 102; Virginia Price White, 103; Hattie Smith Carter, 99; Juliette Stephens Hamilton, 101; and Marguerite Williams Price, 99. Honorees in the back row, from left, are Norbert Robert Kopecko, 100; Shirley Craze Wiegand, 100; and Henry Cesly, 102. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

At 100, every day is a celebration, but it’s even better when the community recognizes your longevity. Eleven Richmonders were honored Sept. 21 at the …

Published on October 11, 2019

A key element of Richmond’s drinking water supply system is undergoing about $54 million in major improvements. These photos document the construction underway at the historic Byrd Park Reservoir that first went into service 145 years ago to supply water to the city and surrounding counties. The purpose of the work: To keep the 55 million-gallon storage facility functional. The city Department of Public Utilities is projecting to spend $60 million to cover all costs, about $7 million more than anticipated when the project was first envisioned four years ago. So far, about $4.7 million has been spent on inspections, planning and design, DPU has reported. Opened in 1876, the reservoir is located on the east side of Blanton Avenue and is bounded by Grant Street and Police Memorial Way.

A key element of Richmond’s drinking water supply system is undergoing about $54 million in major improvements. These photos document the construction underway at the …

Published on January 6, 2022

This fallen monster of a tree in Byrd Park exemplifies the damage that has resulted from repeated heavy rains in recent weeks. Location: Boat Lake and Westover Drive. The photo was taken Aug. 19, but it is unknown when the tree fell. Richmond was spared substantial impact from the remnants of Hurricane Fred, which largely bypassed Central Virginia as it moved North. So far during August, the Richmond area has recorded 8.22 inches of rain – or the equivalent of 80 inches of snow. The total rainfall is about 5 inches more than the 10-year rainfall norm for August. The rain spigot was turned off in much of Metro Richmond this week as hot, humid days returned. The forecast indicates that isolated thunderstorms may roll through again on Saturday and Sunday.

This fallen monster of a tree in Byrd Park exemplifies the damage that has resulted from repeated heavy rains in recent weeks. Location: Boat Lake …

Published on August 26, 2021

The foundation is being laid for the $6.3 million Eggleston Plaza at 2nd and Leigh streets in Jackson Ward, as captured Tuesday by a fisheye lens. When complete, the development is to include 31 apartments and a first-floor restaurant on the former site of the historic Eggleston Hotel. During the era of segregation, the hotel served renowned civil rights leaders, famous entertainers and other African-Americans who were barred from other Richmond hotels because of the color of their skin. The building collapsed and the site was cleared in 2009. The Eggleston family teamed up with developer Kelvin Hanson on the new project, according to city documents. MGT Construction is doing the work. The project is across 2nd Street from the Hippodrome Theater and Taylor Mansion entertainment, restaurant and residential complex. The planned development also includes 10 housing units going up nearby at 1st and Jackson streets.

The foundation is being laid for the $6.3 million Eggleston Plaza at 2nd and Leigh streets in Jackson Ward, as captured Tuesday by a fisheye …

Published on April 29, 2016

Creating a church home // Pastor Jeffrey A. Lee Sr., left, is on a mission to turn the once roofless building at 2700 Q St. in Church Hill into a home for the church he founded, Spirit of God Ministries International. A full-time Pepsi salesman, Pastor Lee, 52, and his 20-member congregation are making progress, as the before and after photos show. The left photo was taken in September 2012, when the small congregation purchased the building from Greater St. Beulah Holiness Church for about $50,000. Since then, the congregation has spent another $50,000 transforming the exterior. The photo at right was taken Tuesday. Pastor Lee said the church’s next step is to redo the interior so it can be used for worship and other activities. Until that work is done, and there is no firm timetable as yet, he and his congregation will continue to hold services at the Our House community center in Mosby Court.

Creating a church home // Pastor Jeffrey A. Lee Sr., left, is on a mission to turn the once roofless building at 2700 Q St. …

Published on January 13, 2017

Cityscape // Wayne Floyd, left, and Jordan Wiles from Empire Granite work on the pedestal where the new statue of Richmond great Maggie L. Walker is to stand. The plaza at Broad and Adams streets is expected to be complete in four to six weeks. The bronze statue of Mrs. Walker “is finished,” sculptor Tony Mendez said Wednesday. It was completed two weeks ago, he said. He’s now awaiting instructions from the city about when it is to be delivered to the site. So far, City Hall has yet to announce a date for the dedication as officials work with the Mrs. Walker’s descendants on the timing. Mr. Mendez said there has been talk about holding the program on Saturday, July 15, Mrs. Walker’s birth date. This year would be the 153rd anniversary of the birth of the founder and president of the first bank to be chartered by an African-American woman. The total project cost: About $900,000.

Cityscape // Wayne Floyd, left, and Jordan Wiles from Empire Granite work on the pedestal where the new statue of Richmond great Maggie L. Walker …

Published on April 8, 2017

A pop of color // A field of colorful printed poppies decorates the front steps of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Location: 428 N. Boulevard. The red flowers, known as remembrance poppies, are designed to call attention to the World War I America exhibition on display at the museum through July 29. Poppies have long been a memorial symbol for those who died in that war. Described as the largest traveling exhibition of its kind, the display includes items ranging from President Woodrow Wilson’s hat and cane to escape artist Harry Houdini’s handcuffs along with photos, helmets, gas masks and other items. The Richmond museum is the only East Coast venue hosting the exhibition this year. The museum plans to keep the poppy field, printed on “brick vinyl” material, on its steps until Nov. 11, 2018, when the nation and the world will mark the 100th anniversary of the conflict’s end.

A pop of color // A field of colorful printed poppies decorates the front steps of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Location: 428 …

Published on May 21, 2018

James Green, left, the custodian crew leader at Chimborazo Elementary School, is surprised as Richmond Public Schools officials and others, including, School Board member Cheryl L. Burke, Superintendent Jason Kamras and Mr. Green’s wife, Cynthia Green, applaud in honoring him last Friday on National Custodial Workers Day for 43 years of service to RPS students and families. Mr. Green has worked 27 of those years at Chimborazo Elementary in Church Hill. Mr. Green, 61, knew that he was setting up earlier for a program for the superintendent and Mayor Levar M. Stoney, but had no clue the program was to recognize and honor him. He was tipped off when he saw his wife and family members, but was brought to tears by the ceremony, which also was attended by Chimborazo Principal David Peck and custodians from other schools.

James Green, left, the custodian crew leader at Chimborazo Elementary School, is surprised as Richmond Public Schools officials and others, including, School Board member Cheryl …

Published on October 8, 2020

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts celebrated the first anniversary of the unveiling of the equestrian statue “Rumors of War” by artist Kehinde Wiley with a collection of visual animations and digital collages projected onto the museum building on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The visual anniversary projections, which ran nightly from Dec. 10 through Dec. 12, were done for the VMFA by Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui, Richmond artists who have gained national attention for their projections onto the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. It also included audio recordings of Mr. Wiley and his remarks from 2019, when the statue was dedicated. The 27-foot tall statue, located outside the museum, features a young African-American man with dreadlocks, jeans and high-top sneakers sitting regally on horseback. The artist said his work was a direct response to the Confederate statues that lined Monument Avenue.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts celebrated the first anniversary of the unveiling of the equestrian statue “Rumors of War” by artist Kehinde Wiley with …

Published on December 17, 2020

Dominion’s new office tower for Downtown // This rendering offers a view, left, of a new, 20-story office tower Dominion Resources is moving to develop at 6th and Cary streets. It will replace the vacant, six-story Richmond Plaza building that will be torn down. At right is a view of a potential companion building Dominion might build to replace the One James River Plaza building at 701 E. Cary St. This is the view north and west from Kanawha Plaza at 9th and Canal streets. Dominion is promising inclusion of African-American, minority and women-owned contracting businesses in the construction. Based on current building costs, Dominion is expected to invest between $100 million and $150 million in the new building. Completion is expected in 2019, when Dominion would either renovate or replace One James River Plaza. The project is being undertaken to improve Dominion’s space Downtown and to provide room for projected employment growth during the next 10 to 15 years.

Dominion’s new office tower for Downtown // This rendering offers a view, left, of a new, 20-story office tower Dominion Resources is moving to develop …

Published on May 20, 2016

Celebrating Juneteenth/ Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at the Manchester Dock. The three-day event, organized by the Elegba Folklore Society and its founder, Janine Y. Bell, marks the date on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom after the defeat of the Confederates and Union forces took control of that state. Richmond’s celebration included educational sessions for people of all ages to learn about Africans brought to this nation 400 years ago and their struggles and contributions. At Saturday’s events, called “Independence Day Our Way,” Dr. W. Neal Holmes, an adjunct political science professor at Virginia Union and Virginia State universities, offers lessons in a learning circle. Dr. Holmes facilitates a monthly study group at the Elegba Folklore Society, 101 E. Broad St. in Downtown. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Celebrating Juneteenth/ Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at …

Published on June 21, 2019

Mayor Levar M. Stoney prepares to raise the Progress Pride flag outside City Hall’s Broad Street entrance. It is the first time a symbol of the gay community has flown outside the 18-story municipal center in Downtown. The multicolored flag went up last Friday in recognition of Richmond’s annual PrideFest weekend and flew through Wednesday when Virginia PrideFest Month ended. The mayor stated the flag was raised to let LGBTQ Richmonders “know that this city stands behind them.” The Progress Pride flag was chosen because, along with traditional rainbow colors, it incorporates additional stripes to symbolize the inclusion of African-Americans, Latinos, people of color, transgender individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS. Lacette Cross and Louise “Cheezi” Farmer, founders of Black Pride RVA, were among the participants at the upbeat ceremony. Black Pride RVA also received Virginia Pride’s annual Firework Award for being catalysts for community change.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney prepares to raise the Progress Pride flag outside City Hall’s Broad Street entrance. It is the first time a symbol of …

Published on October 1, 2020

Daddy's Home// Former Richmond Justice Center inmate Aziz Scott gained celebrity status this week when he was featured on two national television shows. He is pictured above with his 8-year-old daughter, De’Andra, at the 8th Annual Date with Dad Dinner and Dance at the city jail in March. He and his daughter were shown at the dance, organized by Richmond-based CAMP DIVA, on CNN’s “This Is Life With Lisa Ling” Wednesday and on the “Steve Harvey” talk show Tuesday. The shows described Mr. Scott’s participation in the jail’s REAL program, which stands for Recovering from Everyday Addictive Lifestyles. Mr. Scott, 53, credits his participation in the program for helping him turn his life around. He was released from jail in August after serving 17 months for selling drugs. Assisting in efforts to help Mr. Scott succeed, Mr. Harvey presented him with a $5,000 check to relocate his family to a safer neighborhood.

Daddy's Home// Former Richmond Justice Center inmate Aziz Scott gained celebrity status this week when he was featured on two national television shows. He is …

Published on October 23, 2015

Cityscape // A new traffic circle is taking shape at the Six Points intersection in Highland Park in North Side. The $1.2 million project to improve traffic control has been underway since early January. When complete, it will be one of the biggest roundabouts in the city. It will serve motorists heading east and west on Brookland Park Boulevard, and north and south on Meadowbridge Road. The other streets that meet at this central point are Dill Avenue, which runs northeast, and 2nd Avenue, which is south of the intersection. Pedestrian crosswalks, handicap ramps and landscaping also are to be installed. Traffic lights that have long controlled the flow of cars and trucks have been removed from the intersection. City officials believe the new traffic circle could help eliminate crashes. Traffic accidents at the intersection were rare, however, with only five in the previous three years. Weather delays from snow and heavy rain have delayed the project’s completion. The city is using federal and state funds and its own contribution to cover the project’s cost.

Cityscape // A new traffic circle is taking shape at the Six Points intersection in Highland Park in North Side. The $1.2 million project to …

Published on July 8, 2016

Crews with heavy equipment have started demolishing the former George Mason Elementary School at 29th and O streets in Church Hill. The school building, which is 99-years-old, was replaced by Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School. Demolition was authorized in mid-2020 when City Council voted 6-3 to clear the old building and its two later additions. The new adjacent school, which formally was opened in September, is named for Mr. Marsh, 88, a retired civil rights lawyer who was Richmond’s first Black mayor and a former state senator. He attended George Mason Elementary School de- cades ago. Supporters of the demolition said removing the building that dates to 1922 would provide needed space for an expanded playground for Marsh Elemen- tary students. Foes of demolition saw the historic building as ripe for conversion to elderly housing that would have allowed young people at the school to interact with elders and create a stream of revenue for the public school system.

Crews with heavy equipment have started demolishing the former George Mason Elementary School at 29th and O streets in Church Hill. The school building, which …

Published on January 20, 2022

Groundbreaking // Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, left, leads the groundbreaking Monday for the $40 million Church Hill North Revitalization Project, which will replace the former Armstrong High School with 250 to 300 new apartments and single-family houses. Location: 1611 N. 31st St. near the Henrico County line. Joining the mayor at the ceremony are, from left, Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, City Council President Michelle R. Mosby, city Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Chief Executive Officer T.K. Somanath and Rob Fossi, mid-Atlantic regional director of The Community Builders development firm. The firm will soon raze the building and begin construction. The school building, which has been vacant for 12 years, dates to 1951 when it replaced the original Armstrong building in Jackson Ward that now houses the Richmond Alternative School. The Church Hill North project is part of the city’s effort to fight poverty. The work on the 22-acre Church Hill site is billed as the first step to a bigger project to transform the nearby Creighton Court public housing community into a mixed-income neighborhood.

Groundbreaking // Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, left, leads the groundbreaking Monday for the $40 million Church Hill North Revitalization Project, which will replace the …

Published on November 4, 2016