Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
Recently, Reader Tyler W. reached out to us to see if we had the story on the ongoing construction on Broad Street between 9th + 11th.
Old City Hall and the VA General Assembly Building have been under renovation since 2017 as part of the Capitol Square Construction project, which also includes renovation of Morson’s Row on Governor’s St.
The $300 million project is set to be completed in 2022.
A rendering of the renovated General Assembly Building. | Photo courtesy VA DGS
Old City Hall was constructed in the late 19th century in the gothic revival style, landing it on the National Register of Historic Places. City Hall moved to a new building in the 1970s.
The current restoration will be the first since the commonwealth purchased the building in 1983. The project includes returning the building interior to its historic color scheme + structural support alterations.
The General Assembly Building will preserve the facade of the 1912 Life Insurance Co. building, but will grow to 414,000 square-feet. At 14 stories above ground, it will actually be 2 stories shorter than the old GAB. In addition, 2 tunnels will lead to the Capitol extension and to a new parking deck.
Development between the buildings will make the area highly walkable. | Photo courtesy VA DGS
Back in February, Governor Ralph Northam released a behind-the-scenes video of the renovation projects. There is also a page for updates on the project.
Make your voice heard — the VA Department of General Services is holding a public hearing tomorrow from 10 a.m. until noon at the DGS office at 2400 W. Leigh St.
DGS wants to gather comments on the updated regulations for Capitol Square, which would replace the ones from 1970 that are currently in effect. If you’re interested in speaking, register at the event — or submit a written comment before Oct. 15.
For up-to-date information on future street + sidewalk closures related to construction, sign up for DGS alerts.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your construction-crazed crew.
Today
Tuesday
- Pilot Training for Cycling Without Age | Tues., Oct. 12 | 10 a.m. | Saint Francis Home, 65 W. Clopton St. | Free | Learn how to be a volunteer pilot rider for this non-profit, which offers charted bike rides to older adults + people with disabilities.
- Library of Virginia Literary Awards: Nonfiction Discussion Panel | Tues., Oct. 12 | 6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A conversation between Nonfiction Award finalists Chip Jones, Ryan Smith, and Nicole Myers Turner will be streamed on the Library’s Facebook and YouTube pages. 📚
- Movie Mythbusting: Defiance | Tues., Oct. 12 | 7 p.m. | Virtual, RSVP | Free | Pro tip: watch the film in advance + tune into the webinar, presented by the VMHC, the Virginia Holocaust Museum, and the Black History Museum. 🎥
- The Exorcist | Tues., Oct. 12 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre | $8 | Celebrate spooky season by seeing the director’s cut of the horror classic on the big screen. 🍿
Wednesday
- Boulders and Brews | Wed., Oct. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | Triangle Rock Club, 4700 Thalbro St. | $15 for non-members | Enjoy a night of bouldering, then join your climbing crew to a local brewery to recover.
Thursday
- Kids & COVID-19: A Vaccine Q&A with Dr. Danny Avula | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 12 p.m. | Virtual, RSVP | Free | Register before 10:30 a.m. + have any questions about the vaccine answered.
- Little Big Town | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 8-11 p.m. | Altria Theater | $32+ | This award-winning country group has brought hit after hit across the country for 20 years now. 🪕
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
Coming Soon
- The owners of Pancho’s Cantina & Grill in the Fan are opening a new art + candy store at 7015 Staples Mill Rd. The new concept, called Lupita’s Dulceria, will serve ice cream and feature handcrafted work from Mexican artists. 🍦
Arts
- The Fine Arts & Flowers exhibition at the VMFA opens Oct. 21. The sprawling display showcases floral designs inspired by works of art in the museum’s collections. The exhibit will last until Oct. 24 + is free and open to the public. 🌸
- The Fan Arts Stroll returns Thurs., Oct. 21 and Fri., Oct. 22 from 4-7 p.m. The 10-block event spans Hanover + Grove Avenues. It will feature local artisans, musicians, and food trucks. 🎨
State
- The deadline to register to vote for the general election on Nov. 2 is Tues., Oct. 12. To register or check your status, visit the VA Department of Elections website. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Fri., Oct. 22. 🗳
Biz
- Capital One + Genworth Financial employees will continue to work from home until at least 2022 due to the ongoing pandemic. The largest employer in the Richmond region, Capital One had initially planned to bring most workers back in early November. 💼 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Outdoors
- Capture stormwater and reduce your water bill by installing a rain barrel on your property. The James River Association is hosting 3 events this Friday to teach participants how to assemble and install barrels. $35 for the workshop covers the cost of the rain barrel and assembly kit. See locations + sign up.
Coronavirus
- Curious about vaccine booster shots? UR biology professor Angie Hilliker, who is an expert in RNA biology, answers some common questions for UR Now — including who may want to receive a booster + why mixing vaccine brands may not be advisable.
Edu
- Elizabeth Rush, author of “Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore,” is set to speak at a free, virtual event on Wednesday. The book delves into the impact of rising sea levels on coastal communities. Want to know more? VCU News has an interview with Elizabeth in advance of her talk. 🐏 (VCU News)
Regional
- The VA Department of Emergency Management awarded Chesterfield County $8.6 million to aid in the construction of a floodwall at the Addison-Evans Water Treatment Plant, which supplies around 20% of the county’s water. The county wants construction to be completed by 2025. 💸 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Announced
- Congrats to Trey M. and Katie Z., the winners of our “Ultimate Soccer Fan'' giveaway, in partnership with the Richmond Kickers. They’ll each take home 2 tickets to the Oct. 16 match against Forward Madison + a mystery merch package. Congratulations. 🎉
Richmond Animal Care & Control are known for helping all kinds of animals find their homes. When they introduced the world to Fluffernutter the bunny + Bryan the rooster, our hearts just about melted.
Interested in adopting Bryan? Make sure you live outside the city — roosters are not allowed to live within city limits. 🐓
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Just use #RICtoday on social media.
We heard from lots of readers last week about their amazing memories at the Richmond Coliseum over its 4-decade run as one of the city’s largest entertainment venues.
2 readers remembered the circus performances, one waited overnight for KISS tickets in the 1980s, and Reader William M. got to meet the Jacksons — including Michael — for one of their early shows.
Reader David C. called back to the VCU men’s basketball wins in 2009 + 2012. Sounds like the Coliseum was good luck for the Rams.
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