It’s been the city’s dream for decades to acquire Mayo Island and turn it into a public space. Last month, the Capital Region Land Conservancy took a step forward in its plan to purchase the island when it was awarded $1.5 million from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.
The 14.5-acre parcel on the James has been the site of a bridge connecting 14th and Hull Streets since 1788, when the Mayo family opened the first toll bridge. The current Mayo Bridge was completed in 1913, making it Richmond’s oldest highway bridge across the James.
CRLC Executive Director Parker Agelasto provided some details last week at a meeting of the Manchester Alliance civic association, according to reporting from Richmond BizSense. He praised the potential for accessible green space near the neighborhood and said CRLC has already made an initial security deposit on the island.
