Kanawha Plaza sits between Seventh and Ninth and Canal and Byrd streets. Photos by Michael Thompson.
With the offices of some of city’s biggest companies towering above, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones last week announced the beginning of renovations on a 35-year-old downtown park.
The city ceremoniously broke ground Friday on the first phase of renovating Kanawha Plaza at Eighth and Canal streets. Jones held a press conference before bulldozers began chipping away at the concrete infrastructure of the 2.8-acre park.
Jones said Kanawha Plaza opened in 1980, during a time of prosperity for Richmond, but eventually fell into disrepair as middle-class families moved to the suburbs. He said renovating the park is a way to continue Richmond’s transformation from a time when it was “the murder capital of the country.”
Mayor Jones speaks at Friday’s event.
“Old Richmond is gone and the old Richmond is never coming back,” Jones said. “Now, it’s time to declare the city is rising.”
Debra Gardner, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer for human services, said renovations are expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million. The city has committed $1.7 million to the project. Dominion Resources has made an unspecified contribution, and McGuireWoods has signed a commitment letter for the project, Gardner said. She added the city is in fundraising talks with Clayco, Williams Mullen and BB&T.
Plans call for making the park open and level with city streets, adding a large green space, canopies, repairing the park’s fountain and adding space for food trucks. Gardner said the biggest reason for the renovations was safety.
“There are so many nooks and crannies – that’s a safety issue,” Gardner said.
Contributors to the design and construction are KEI Architects, VHB, Daniels & Associates, Snead Associates, Snead Construction, and HS Engineering.
Kanawha Plaza sits between Seventh and Ninth and Canal and Byrd streets. Photos by Michael Thompson.
With the offices of some of city’s biggest companies towering above, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones last week announced the beginning of renovations on a 35-year-old downtown park.
The city ceremoniously broke ground Friday on the first phase of renovating Kanawha Plaza at Eighth and Canal streets. Jones held a press conference before bulldozers began chipping away at the concrete infrastructure of the 2.8-acre park.
Jones said Kanawha Plaza opened in 1980, during a time of prosperity for Richmond, but eventually fell into disrepair as middle-class families moved to the suburbs. He said renovating the park is a way to continue Richmond’s transformation from a time when it was “the murder capital of the country.”
Mayor Jones speaks at Friday’s event.
“Old Richmond is gone and the old Richmond is never coming back,” Jones said. “Now, it’s time to declare the city is rising.”
Debra Gardner, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer for human services, said renovations are expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million. The city has committed $1.7 million to the project. Dominion Resources has made an unspecified contribution, and McGuireWoods has signed a commitment letter for the project, Gardner said. She added the city is in fundraising talks with Clayco, Williams Mullen and BB&T.
Plans call for making the park open and level with city streets, adding a large green space, canopies, repairing the park’s fountain and adding space for food trucks. Gardner said the biggest reason for the renovations was safety.
“There are so many nooks and crannies – that’s a safety issue,” Gardner said.
Contributors to the design and construction are KEI Architects, VHB, Daniels & Associates, Snead Associates, Snead Construction, and HS Engineering.
I think it is important to note that these numbers do not match what was presented to the Planning Commission when the park design was up for approval. From the minutes of that meeting: Mr. Sadler stated that this approval is just for the first phase of the plans. Ms. Markham confirmed that this is just for phase 1A. Mr. Sadler questioned who the target user is. Mr. Easter stated the workers and residents around the site. Mr. Sadler questioned the cost. Mr. Easter stated $6 million. Mr. Sadler asked how much the City is contributing. Ms. Gardner stated just… Read more »