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Armstrong Renaissance is heading to the finish line after more than three years of construc- tion at this East End site near the city’s border with Henrico County. Crews now are focusing on development of the final phase – 36 attached and detached homes to be sold at market rates – that will cap the redevelopment on the former site of Armstrong High School. Oversized compared with most of the homes on nearby streets, the new houses were initially priced between $225,000 and $350,000 and are designed to add a residential cachet to the area. When finished, the total 22-acre development will contain 256 modern apartments and houses. The first residents moved in just before Thanksgiving in 2019. Previously called Church Hill North, Armstrong Renaissance is the creation of a partnership of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Boston-based nonprofit affordable housing developer, The Community Builders. The project is designed as the first step in the future redevelopment of the 30-acre Creighton Court public housing community located across Nine Mile Road. The new units were used, in part, to relocate Creighton Court residents, clearing the way for a large chunk of the public housing community to be bulldozed and replaced with new units. Demolition of a major portion of Creighton Court is expected this year. Mayor Levar M. Stoney and Richmond City Council cleared the way by allocating $6.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for new streets, alleys and underground utilities in the Creighton Court redevelopment.

Armstrong Renaissance is heading to the finish line after more than three years of construc- tion at this East End site near the city’s border …

Published on February 10, 2022

Standing with Bennett: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, left, meets with alumnae of Bennett and Spelman colleges Monday evening at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond to rally efforts to help raise $5 million by Feb. 1 to save Bennett College. Dr. Cole previously served as president of both institutions, the only two historically black women’s colleges in the nation, and was central to a video the group made Monday and posted on social media. United in sisterhood, the video calls on Spelman women and Bennett Belles to support the Greensboro, N.C., college, which may lose its accreditation if it cannot gain a more sound financial footing by the Feb. 1 deadline. The effort came together within 24 hours. “I have never witnessed black women move so quickly with one mission to make sure African-American women have the opportunity to  receive a quality education,” said Marissa Jennings, Bennett Class of 2003. Dr. Cole’s message is available online at https://vimeo.com/314049002. To donate, go to www.bennett.edu/donate. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Standing with Bennett: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, left, meets with alumnae of Bennett and Spelman colleges Monday evening at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond to …

Published on February 1, 2019

Dr. Derik E. Jones, left, and Dr. Dwight C. Jones, pastors of First Baptist Church of South Richmond, get a closer look at the new bronze sculpture “Hope Empowered by the Truth” with its creator, local artist Kathleen Lowry. The 150-pound sculpture was unveiled at the Decatur Street church on Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, during a ceremony viewed online by more than 200 people. Ms. Lowry donated the piece to the church after attending the socially distanced kickoff last September of First Baptist’s yearlong 200th anniversary celebration. She said the church seemed like the perfect home for the sculpture. “It is recognition of the work you do every day to promote peace in our country,” she said during Monday’s event. “Martin Luther King knew what would be necessary — faith, hopefulness, truth-telling, courage, resilience, kindness and forgiveness. And that is what you are doing and being in the struggle for equality and peace. It is an extremely tall order.” Members of the congregation will be able to see the artwork once the church reopens for in-person worship service. The church has held virtual services because of the pandemic.

Dr. Derik E. Jones, left, and Dr. Dwight C. Jones, pastors of First Baptist Church of South Richmond, get a closer look at the new …

Published on January 21, 2021

Construction of a new Amazon facility is scheduled for completion in Henrico County’s Fairfield District this year. When the online retailer announced plans in April 2021 for its state-of-the art robotics fulfillment center on 119 acres along Richmond-Henrico Turnpike, near Richmond Raceway, Amazon and county officials said it would lead to 1,000 job opportunities. The 2.6-million-square-foot facility will be the largest building in Central Virginia, officials said. To accommodate increased traffic in the area, Richmond-Henrico Turnpike has been extended to four lanes, with a new traffic signal placed at the main entrance to the site. “Amazon has been proud to call Virginia home since 2006,” said Alicia Boler Davis, who was Amazon’s vice president of Global Customer Fulfillment at the time of the announcement. “Collectively it takes a strong workforce and local support network to serve our customers across the Commonwealth and the region. The launch of this state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Central Virginia will create more than 1,000 jobs with industry-leading pay and benefits starting on the first day of employment. I’m excited to see Virginians continue to excel at Amazon, building better and brighter futures.”

Construction of a new Amazon facility is scheduled for completion in Henrico County’s Fairfield District this year. When the online retailer announced plans in April …

Published on January 26, 2023

Work is underway on the $1.2 million renovation of Virginia Union University’s renamed Wil- lie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium. Mr. Lanier, a former All-Star and Pro Bowl player with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 to 1977, played on Hovey Field when he was a student nearly 60 years ago at Richmond’s Maggie L. Walker High School next door. He has played a vital role in the project to resurface the field from grass to FieldTurf. When the VUU Panthers football team kicks off its 2020 season home opener on Oct. 3 against Shaw University, the new field will be a point of pride for the team and will put VUU on the same level as universities around the nation, officials stated. “That field shows something,” Mr. Lanier stated. “It shows the ability of what it is to provide for those young individuals who can take confidence and pride in where they play and how they are able to perform.” Squares of the old grass field, which has been in place since 1907, are being sold online to help fund the project. Go to https://vuusports.com/sports/2008/11/5/MBB_1105085727.aspx?id=42

Work is underway on the $1.2 million renovation of Virginia Union University’s renamed Wil- lie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium. Mr. Lanier, a former All-Star …

Published on July 2, 2020

OBAMA IN AFRICA- President Obama waves to a cheering crowd that packed an indoor stadium Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya, for the president’s visit. Kenya, the homeland of President Obama’s father, was the first stop on the president’s six-day journey through Africa, where he met with African heads of state and, on Monday, addressed the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition to seeking to further trade and cooperative arrangements between the United States and the African continent, the president addressed issues of human rights, women’s rights, ethnic conflict, corruption, terrorism, democracy, economic growth and presidential term limits. While in Kenya, he met with his extended family members. He is the first sitting U.S. president to visit Kenya or Ethiopia.

OBAMA IN AFRICA- President Obama waves to a cheering crowd that packed an indoor stadium Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya, for the president’s visit. Kenya, the …

Published on July 31, 2015

Japan ‘Sister City’ recognition: Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney greets several students from Saitama, Japan, last week during their visit to City Council chambers to recognize the 20th anniversary of Saitama’s partnership with Richmond in the Sister City program. The high school students and two teachers from Urawa Municipal High School spent a week in the Richmond area through the scholastic exchange program. The students visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Maymont, where there was a welcome ceremony in the Japanese Gardens. Saitama and four other cities in Mali, Namibia, China and England have Sister City relationships with Richmond. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Japan ‘Sister City’ recognition: Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney greets several students from Saitama, Japan, last week during their visit to City Council chambers to …

Published on March 29, 2019

Cityscape //These scenes show examples of the impact of the June 16 storm that hammered Richmond and Henrico County and knocked out power to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses in the two localities. Left, Laurie Petersen photographs a tree split during the raging winds at Monument and Roseneath avenues in the West End. Right, Brad Spangler takes a closer look at a car crushed under trees felled by the storm that packed 70 mph winds and dropped 1.6 inches of rain. Location: Seminary and Claremont avenues in North Side. Richmond area damage estimates ranged from $2 million to $5 million, including $770,000 in damage to 10 Richmond school buildings. Officials said all but $100,000 of the schools damage would be covered by insurance. Dominion brought in hundreds of workers, who helped restore power by late Monday. Fifty crews from the City of Richmond, meanwhile, cleared fallen trees blocking 156 streets and removed 700 tons of tree debris through Tuesday. As of Tuesday night, Byrd Park, Battery Park Pool and Bryan Park had yet to reopen. The city and Henrico County are offering to haul away tree limbs from residents’ property. In the city, residents can place limbs and brush near the curb or alley for pickup. County residents must register for service at (804) 501-4275 or online at www.henrico.us/services/storm-debris-pickup. The county’s deadline to sign up is Friday, June 24.     

Cityscape //These scenes show examples of the impact of the June 16 storm that hammered Richmond and Henrico County and knocked out power to nearly …

Published on June 24, 2016

Sunflower visits Jackson Ward

Sunflower visits Jackson Ward

Published on September 8, 2022

Children in the Central African Republic await the visit Monday of Pope Francis at a stadium in the capital, Bangui, where the pope led a Mass for thousands of people.

Children in the Central African Republic await the visit Monday of Pope Francis at a stadium in the capital, Bangui, where the pope led a …

Published on December 5, 2015

From March 17-23, Cicilia Seleian Koisenke will visit Richmond to sell jewelry to help offset the challenges facing her homeland near Kenya.

From March 17-23, Cicilia Seleian Koisenke will visit Richmond to sell jewelry to help offset the challenges facing her homeland near Kenya.

Published on March 16, 2023

Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras finishes a recent day visiting 12 schools by watching a student work on a laptop at Barack Obama Elementary School.

Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras finishes a recent day visiting 12 schools by watching a student work on a laptop at Barack Obama Elementary School.

Published on February 21, 2019

Cast members, from left, Essence Atkins, Leon and Terri J. Vaughn and playwright Je’Caryous Johnson visit the Free Press offices Monday in Downtown.

Cast members, from left, Essence Atkins, Leon and Terri J. Vaughn and playwright Je’Caryous Johnson visit the Free Press offices Monday in Downtown.

Published on October 2, 2015

Julius Fillyow gets a visit from Cockatoos Bindi, left, and Coco, right, who were hanging out with owners Lucus Griffith and Lindsey Pennington.

Julius Fillyow gets a visit from Cockatoos Bindi, left, and Coco, right, who were hanging out with owners Lucus Griffith and Lindsey Pennington.

Published on October 19, 2023

1954 photo Spencer Christian, then 7, visits the home of an uncle in Charles City County with his parents, Lucy and Spencer Christian Sr., and his younger brother, Lutrell, then 3.

1954 photo Spencer Christian, then 7, visits the home of an uncle in Charles City County with his parents, Lucy and Spencer Christian Sr., and …

Published on January 31, 2019

Bobby L. Stith and his mother, Rose M. Stith, visit the grave of family member Byron M. Stith Jr. at Oakwood Cemetery on June 27.

Bobby L. Stith and his mother, Rose M. Stith, visit the grave of family member Byron M. Stith Jr. at Oakwood Cemetery on June 27.

Published on July 4, 2019

Zuri Grant, 4, tackles a giant haystack while visiting Gallmeyer Farms on Millers Lane in Henrico County with her mother, Briana Brockington, on Oct. 21.

Zuri Grant, 4, tackles a giant haystack while visiting Gallmeyer Farms on Millers Lane in Henrico County with her mother, Briana Brockington, on Oct. 21.

Published on October 26, 2023

Virginia Union University quarterback Andre Coble is taken to the turf by Gardner-Webb University’s Jebrai Regan during a pass attempt. The visiting Panthers lost 13-9 last Saturday.

Virginia Union University quarterback Andre Coble is taken to the turf by Gardner-Webb University’s Jebrai Regan during a pass attempt. The visiting Panthers lost 13-9 …

Published on September 25, 2015

Cartrice Haynesworth takes a selfie with Pope Francis as he walks through the crowd during his visit last Thursday to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Cartrice Haynesworth takes a selfie with Pope Francis as he walks through the crowd during his visit last Thursday to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese …

Published on October 2, 2015

Corey Blount works on his latest projects in a small studio set up in the Henrico County home of his mother, Taryn Blount, during his recent visit during the holidays.

Corey Blount works on his latest projects in a small studio set up in the Henrico County home of his mother, Taryn Blount, during his …

Published on January 19, 2019