RECENT COMMENTS
Plans to move forward with improvements at Intermediate Terminal
A press release from Tammy Hawley with the Mayor’s office:
The City of Richmond has announced plans to move forward with improvements to the Intermediate Terminal/Intermediate Wharf – a City-owned parcel that fronts the James River on the East side of the city.
Providing increased public access to the riverfront is one of the goals in the City’s adopted Riverfront Plan. Improvements to the Intermediate Terminal Dock are seen as especially timely with the completion of the Virginia Capital Trail – 52 miles of continuous multipurpose trail between Williamsburg and Richmond.
A structural stabilization project has been underway in the Intermediate Terminal area since August of this year. With the completion of that stabilization nearing in early Spring of 2016, the City is ready to move forward with broader plans for improving riverfront access in that area, to include passive and active Riverfront recreational opportunities. Conceptual plans for the development of the area include the possibility of a community pavilion, an event lawn, an interpretive tidal pool, a fishing area, or maybe even swings. An exploration of what the public would like to see created in that area will be undertaken with a planned public meeting process.
“While our Riverfront Plan suggests any number of possibilities for this area, we are ready to have a more direct discussion with the public and to develop more specific plans for enhancements in this area,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “We have an opportunity to lift up the richness of neighborhood history while creating a recreational asset that can unify the riverfront corridor. With the completion of the Virginia Capital Trail, the east riverfront area is being utilized more than ever, and we look forward to creating another accessible public space for the city’s enjoyment.”
Local civil engineering and design firm, Timmons Group, has been contracted to develop conceptual plans for the Intermediate Terminal. They will be holding public meetings beginning in mid-January 2016 to discuss project concepts and design recommendations.
The Richmond Riverfront Plan emphasizes the importance of the riverfront as a singular destination and attraction unique to Richmond which can catalyze growth for the whole city and in specific areas. The plan provides for phased riverfront improvements to reinvigorate existing public spaces and establish new public landscapes of varying character, program and scale. Along the east riverfront, other progress has been seen with the demolition of the Lehigh Cement silos and installation of the Low-Line project with CSX and Capital Trees. In other riverfront news, the City has also recently announced plans for Port of Richmond improvements and began construction on the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.
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Am I looking at this correctly that Water St. will go away?
@2 looks to me like all streets end there. Strange. There is already a problem with traffic from the east area coming into and out of the city.
The plan for Dock Street / Water Street is that it will be shifted and elevated to connect with East Main Street approximately where Ash Street is now, which is the short little cut-thru street currently running between East Main and Dock Streets. This will create a major intersection that will probably be controlled by a traffic light and will allow for traffic to flow on Dock Street as it does now. The remaining part of Dock and Water streets will be eliminated and become a grassy part of the Lehigh Terraces park and will allow Stone Brewery to program the area under their building and adjacent for their beer garden. It appears there will be short road from the intersection at Old Nicholson to allow entrance to the Intermediate Terminal property, although it doesn’t look like there will be any parking, at least in what is being shown in the rendering.
Why is the city building the beer garden for a private restaurant?
@chimbo
Because Stone is putting a lot of money and time investing in the city and it was part of the initial deal from what I understand. Plus digging up a road and planting some trees here seems better than the endless cycle of traffic circles that is getting put up around the city. If we had other businesses spend as much money in the city as Stone, maybe the city would even step up to the plate even more and take care of its grounds.
Plus I think having a potential music venue, restaurant and nice park will be super nice for the area. Especially considering this area is currently an abandoned building and a concrete slab. This is some of the most prime real estate in the area and I think putting this type of park there is great for the locals to utilize!
I declare victory in the effort for the City to pay special attention to the Sugar Pad! To celebrate, I plan on heading down to the Sugar Pad to check out the Full Moon next Wednesday November 25th – the sun sets at 4:53pm and the moon rises at 5:08pm. I plan on getting there around 4-4:30 and am bringing a grill to cook some hot dogs and marshmallows. So, while this is not an attempt in any way to organize an event at the Sugar Pad without the proper permit, insurance or other authorization, I invite East Enders and James River lovers and full moon gazers to come to the Sugar Pad next Wednesday evening and check out the Full Moon and great views. Come on by and say hi to me and I will be happy to fill you in on all that is planned for the area.
I personally can’t wait to bring my toy a** dog to the interpretive tidal pools.
This looks great. I can’t wait for this and the brewery to be fully completed. So much to look forward to in the east end!
Evidently they only intend on people who live nearby or park their boats at the dock to be able to use the park. There are about 10 spots that I see on the plan. I also wonder where the fishing pier is….
@10 People willing to ride the BRT could also use the park, there will be a stop at the Bistro. You could also park at Shiplock and walk/bike since the Capital Trail will connect to the park.
Also I think the point with the capital VA trail and this park is that they want to make it “bike friendly”. So yes taking out (a) road(s)…adding bike lanes and paths, and not adding a ton of parking would go along with the whole theme…