What’s next for the Intermediate Terminal Building?

Built in the 1930s, the Intermediate Terminal Warehouse No. 3 has probably caused its fair share of confused glances from passersby on the Capital Trail heading toward Rocketts Landing. The stilt-supported building has been vacant for years — but the city is looking to change that.

We want to hear from you: How would you reimagine the Intermediate Terminal building?

Earlier this week, Richmond BizSense reported that the Economic Development Authority will likely issue a request for proposals to reinvigorate the Intermediate Terminal building. The RFP is expected by the end of the year; the EDA says it wants to see ideas for restoring or renovating the structure, rather than demolishing it.

Image via Richmond Comprehensive Planning Slide Collection, VCU Libraries

Past

In 1933, the city open Intermediate Terminal, its first municipally owned wharf facility.

By 1936, Richmond’s growth as an international port city was outpacing its storage capacity. The city applied for funding through New Deal programs to build a new warehouse.

Fun fact: That same month, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited Richmond aboard the USS Potomac, which docked at Intermediate Terminal.

Construction began on Warehouse No. 3 in 1937 and finished in May 1938. The three-story concrete structure housed a large quantity of goods, primarily raw sugar.

Photo by RICtoday

Future

Stone Brewing once had plans to redevelop the area, but those have fallen through. Now, the city wants to take another crack at it.

In recent years, events have been hosted near the building, including Richmond’s Juneteenth festival. The surrounding area is popular amongst local fishers. It’s also conveniently located near the East Riverfront Pulse station.

Here’s where you can dream big. Tell us what you’d do with the building. Should it be the next riverfront dining destination? A museum exploring Richmond’s port past? A mural-filled art piece? Let us know and you could be featured in a future newsletter.

Your thoughts

Here’s what readers and Instagram followers had to say about the future possibilities of the Intermiedate Terminal building.

In general, survey respondents saw something they liked in the old warehouse. Only a quarter said the building was “ugly” — 75% opted for “charming” in our either-or question.

Ideas for the future were varied. Several respondents brought up the current ways Richmonders use the space, as well as its proximity to the Capital Trail.

• “Kids skate in it all the time. It would be cool if there was something more intentional for those already spending time in the space.” – @mx.bex
• “Keep some of the dilapidation but add large windows. Keep the bottom open as a public park space, still allowing skateboarding, but moving The Kickstand there so the empty lot next to the building can be a public park space, as well.” – Anonymous

Many involved some aspect of the arts.

• “Can someone just please make it the coolest bar/local live music venue in RVA already?” – @massagram
• “Combination glassblowing studio, restaurant, and cafe.” – Erin G.
• “A restaurant would be great, but I would like to see the outside of the building be done by the mural group that did the murals at the baseball stadium and down on the waterfront.” – Gillian C.
• “Id like to see it as an artist space where artists of all kinds of art can have their space to teach and sell their art. It’s especially needed for weaving, spinning and natural dyeing. – Alaa M.

The idea of a riverfront restaurant was also popular. Stone Brewing’s plans for the space had included an eatery.

• “With the views involved, I think this should become a bar/dining establishment.” – Brian K.
• “Riverfront dining with live entertainment and a large outdoor patio area with family/dog-friendly section.” – Cheryl A.
• “A locally owned grocery store with a rooftop place for dining!” – @jannykittycat

Several people pointed to examples in other cities that Richmond could emulate.

• “Something like the Torpedo Factory in old town Alexandria would be so awesome.” – @esrankin19
• “An International Food Hall like the Salt City Market in Syracuse or Ponce City Market in Atlanta. You could have bike parking for Capital Trail riders and free 2 hour parking for cars so people would be more likely to come downtown.” – Kathy W.
• “They should look into Optimist Hall in Charlotte, NC. It was a large, old mill that was renovated and turned into a multipurpose space. It has several permanent food vendors and shops, with open seating.” – @kay_rose4

Comments have been lightly edited for grammar and accuracy.