Downtown Master Plan

The City of Richmond Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the June 2008 Revised Draft Downtown Master Plan. The public is encouraged to attend the public hearing to share thoughts on the plan with the City Planning Commission.

A copy of the draft plan is available for review at the following locations:

Form-Based Code Seminar

The City Planning Commission invited interested members of the public to participate in a seminar on Form-Based Code on March 12, 2008 at City Hall. The seminar offered the Planning Commission and the community an opportunity to understand its potential applicability in Richmond. The draft Downtown Master Plan recommends the implementation of a Form-Based Code.

Form-Based Code is a type of zoning that regulates patterns of development by focusing on the relationship of buildings to each other and the street.

The seminar included presentations on the legal and practical aspects of this type of zoning. Geoffrey Ferrell, with Ferrell Madden Lewis LLC, gave an overview of form-based code and Dan Slone, with McGuire Woods LLP, reviewed legal aspects.

The City Planning Commission sponsored six meetings, one in each of the districts identified in the Downtown Master Plan, in order to receive additional input from the community. City staff reviewed the detailed recommendations for each of the districts and encouraged the public to provide comments and prioritize the items in the plan ( Manchester, January 31st; VCU and Downtown Neighborhoods, February 4th; Shockoe, February 7th; Broad Street and Jackson Ward, February 12th; James River, February 19th; and City Center, February 20th). These comments, along with others received throughout the planning process, will be considered by the City Planning Commission as it makes revisions to the draft.

Following the release of the draft Downtown Master Plan in November 2007, the City Planning Commission held public hearings in City Council Chambers in December 2007 and January 2008. Both hearings were very well attended, with members of the public providing comments and suggestions on the plan. Minutes from the December 3rd and January 15th meetings are available.

A community workshop was held on September 27, 2007 at The Renaissance Conference Center to continue the discussions from the charrette in July. The team working on the update to the Downtown Master Plan, led by Dover, Kohl & Partners, reviewed the six foundations of the plan and provided updates on the work as it has progressed in support of the plan. Presentations were given on the land use plan and the residential market study.

A charrette, or series of public events, was held from July 20-26, 2007 at Plant Zero. The charrette week included presentations, a hands-on urban design session, and an open-door design studio. The input provided by the public working with the Master Plan team provided a vision for future of Downtown and a basis for the work to come in development of the plan. During the work-in-progress presentation at the end of the charrette week, Dover, Kohl and Partners shared a list of six foundations of the Richmond Downtown Master Plan. These foundations are reflective of items that were consistently mentioned by the community during the public participation events of the week of July 20-26. Those in attendance at the work in progress presentation provided feedback on the six foundations.

Intersection of Broad Street and North 17th Street, looking west towards Downtown.

This portion of Broad Street feels cut off from the activity of Downtown, due to its vacant lots, surface parking, chain link fences, and damaged sidewalks. Furthermore, the elevated railroad line and the interstate highway crossing Broad Street create a visual and physical barrier to the activity beyond. Although this area is within convenient walking distance of the city center, the existing conditions of the street discourage pedestrian activity.

Pedestrians are welcomed back to Broad Street by improved infrastructure. The cracked and uneven sidewalk is upgraded with distinctive pavers, street trees, and special lighting that create a sense of destination and increase pedestrian comfort. Traffic is controlled with narrower lanes and bold crosswalks that give prominence to pedestrians.

Appropriate infrastructure improvements attract private development that respects Shockoe Bottom’s urban heritage, with mixed uses and urban architecture. New buildings feature appropriately scaled signage, awnings and architectural detailing. Generous windows and street entryways enhance the pedestrian experience. Broad Street becomes a pedestrian destination and a vibrant part of town.

Intersection of Hull Street and West 7th Street, looking northeast to the James River.

While the block size and sidewalk width along Hull Street is ideal for pedestrian use, the existing condition of the street does not encourage pedestrian activity. Vacant lots, broken sidewalks, asphalt and overhead utility lines define the street. Pedestrians are deterred from this environment because they are left exposed to heat, rain, and speeding traffic. Furthermore, the lack of activity on the street can lead to safety concerns.

Strategic public improvements are the first step towards civilizing the pedestrian realm of Hull Street. Street trees, appropriately-scaled lighting, and improved sidewalks provide comfort for pedestrians. Clearly defined crosswalks, on-street parking, and narrower travel lanes slow traffic and allow pedestrians to walk with confidence.

Private investment marks the final step in creating a vibrant street. Appropriate new development and historic renovation is mixed-use, and fronts the street with generous windows and main entrances. Buildings are detailed with features such as stoops and awnings to create an interactive streetscape that becomes a destination for pedestrians.

The possibility exists for the proposed Richmond streetcar to run along Hull Street, serving Manchester and further encouraging pedestrian-friendly development in the district.

Intersection of East Marshall Street and North 2nd Street, looking east to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The existing conditions of Marshall Street do little to attract visitors from the nearby Convention Center. Overhead utilities clutter the air and the one-way traffic pattern prevents drivers from easily stopping on their way out of Downtown. A number of properties are vacant or are used as surface parking lots, and existing buildings turn blank walls to the street, deterring pedestrians.

A first step in improving Marshall Street is to bury the overhead utility lines and to remove the existing “cobra-head” light poles that make the street feel as if it were a highway.

Distinctive streetscape improvements such as street trees, pedestrian-scaled lighting, special sidewalk pavers, and well-defined crosswalks increase pedestrian comfort. A new two-way traffic pattern allows visitors to approach Marshall Street from all directions, improving accessibility to restaurants and retail.

An enhanced public realm provides incentive for private development. New development follows the scale and character of the existing neighborhood. Existing buildings orient themselves toward Marshall Street, opening restaurant entrances and large windows towards the street, and adding awnings to attract customers. On-street parking serves restaurants and shops, and creates a protective buffer for pedestrians.

As activity levels along Marshall Street increase, private investment strengthens. New development, such as the six-story hotel, reaches a new intensity; however it respects the scale and character of the existing neighborhood.

A successful combination of public and private investment transforms Marshall Street into a destination district. This district is enhanced by stripping away the asphalt from the street and revealing its historic cobblestones. The textured surface will lend a unique character to the district and will slow traffic, further improving its pedestrian quality.

For more information contact Brooke Hardin, City of Richmond
Telephone: (804) 646-6310
E-mail: brooke.hardin@richmondgov.com