Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

Breaking ground on the James

James River Association breaks ground on new river education center

RICtoday_JamesRiverEducationCenter_GroundbreakingGif

The center could open sometime in summer 2024. | Gif by RICtoday

The James River Association will soon have a new facility to introduce thousands of students to the riverfront. On Monday, JRA representatives and government officials broke ground on the upcoming James A. Buzzard River Education Center.

JRA announced the center in March 2022 along with plans for other centers in Lynchburg and Williamsburg. With the help of The Conservation Fund and the Capital Region Land Conservancy, the group purchased a parcel of land along Dock Street, adjacent to Great Shiplock Park.

JRA’s president and CEO, Bill Street, emphasized the prime location and the considerations taken into account by architects when designing the new center. Since it will rise directly on the riverfront, Street said steps have been taken to make the building flood resistant for decades to come.

The Dock Street location provides nearby access to shallow water, the tidal James, protected waters, and woods — allowing for a variety of hands-on educational experiences.

RICtoday_JamesRiverEducationCenter_Rendering1 — The future James A. Buzzard River Education Center will serve ~10,000 students annually.
|
Rendering courtesy 3North

Mayor Levar Stoney and 7th District Councilmember Cynthia Newbille also spoke at the groundbreaking. In his comments, Stoney tied in the recent purchase of Mayo Island as another example of the city reimagining the riverfront.

Newbille voiced her support for the development, noting that the land has been vacant for decades.

Once opened, the center will reportedly serve ~10,000 students annually. There will also be a public experiential ramp where visitors will be able to observe flood levels and access the James.

Now that construction has begun, the grand opening is slated for summer 2024.

Events

Wednesday, May 10

Dominion Energy Jazz Café | Wednesday, May 10 | 6-8 p.m. | VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Walk the galleries and enjoy the sounds of Lady E and special guests The Blues Rev-A.

Thursday, May 11

Turning Fact into Fiction | Thursday, May 11 | 12-1 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $0-$10 | Get tickets to hear local author Rachel Beanland talk about her historical fiction novel, “The House Is On Fire,” or tune in to the livestream.
Stargazing at Virginia House | Thursday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Virginia House, 4301 Sulgrave Rd., Richmond | $15-$30 | Drink local cocktails from Reservoir Distilling, explore the grounds and house at twilight, and enjoy stargazing with the Richmond Astronomical Society.

Friday, May 12

Virginia Credit Union Cap2Cap | Friday, May 12-Saturday, May 13 | 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Virginia Capital Trail, Dock St., Richmond | $50-$75 | Sign up to ride any portion of the Capital Trail and get lunch and a beverage at two Party Zones.
Friday Cheers: Sierra Ferrell | Friday, May 12 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Brown’s Island, S. 9th St., Richmond | $10-$15 | The alt-folk-Americana artist will play with Chris Leggett & The Copper Line.

Saturday, May 13

Church Hill Spring Fest and Market | Saturday, May 13 | 12-5 p.m. | Libby Hill Park, 2801 E. Franklin St., Richmond | Free | Bring the family for live music, food trucks, and dozens of local vendors.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Edu

🦊 A new roof for Fox

Fox Elementary rebuild starts with new roof

Superintendent Jason Kamras speaks about the future of Fox Elementary in front of roof reconstruction. | Photo by RICtoday

Work is underway to rebuild Fox Elementary School after it was decimated by a fire in February 2022. Yesterday, RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras stood with representatives from Fox, the school board, City Council, and the fire department to provide updates on the process.

Crews began installing roof trusses this week in the first phase of the rebuild, according RPS Chief Operating Officer Dana Fox.

“We are anticipating this being done at rapid speed,” Fox said.

The district’s goal is for the roof to be complete around the end of June, so that it can solicit general contractors for the full rebuild in July. RPS wants students back at Fox in fall 2025.

Want to support the Fox community? The Strawberry Street Festival at Clark Springs Elementary is this Saturday, May 13 from 12-4 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, bounce houses, carnival games, and raffles to support the Fox PTA.

News Notes

Traffic

Main Street, West Cary Street, West Grace Street, and West Franklin Street between Belvidere and Harrison Streets will close one at a time starting tomorrow. The city is installing speed tables in the area. Work should be complete on Thursday, May 25.

Civic

City Council adopted the mayor’s budget for fiscal year 2024 at its Monday meeting. The final budget includes $200 million for building new schools, $21 million for traffic calming measures, and an $18/hour minimum wage for city employees. Crunch the numbers with our budget deep dive.

Development

The Diamond District is moving forward. City Council voted unanimously to approve the redevelopment plan on Monday. The 67-acre, $2.4 billion project will begin with the construction of a new ballpark in line with MLB standards. Get more details on the redevelopment. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Closing

Café Beignet in Shockoe Bottom is closing its doors. The shop’s last day of service will be Sunday, May 28. The owner said the concept may reopen as a food truck sometime next year.

Biz

Criterion Cinemas, the smaller venue at Movieland, is being renovated to reopen as a retail and restaurant space. The theater stopped screening films in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The future occupant of the space has not yet been determined. (Richmond BizSense)

Eat

There’s a new Chicken Fiesta in Chester. The local chain’s seventh location is the fourth south of the river. It’s open 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. each day at 12401 US-1, Chester.

Festival

Mark your calendar for the the return of two popular festivals in October. The 2nd Street Festival will take place Oct. 7-8 in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood; the Folk Fest will rock the riverfront Oct. 13-15.

Concert

This year’s Pridefest will end with an official closing concert featuring Tegan and Sara on Sunday, Sept. 24. The pop duo will take the stage on Brown’s Island with special guest Carlie Hanson. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 12.

Cause

Woodfin - Your Home Team’s current Double the Difference Featured Charity is The Military Order of the Purple Heart of Greater Richmond, which provides service to all veterans and their families. At the end of each month, Woodfin tallies and matches 100% of the donations. Make a contribution.*

Family

Free parking, private rooms + expert pediatric emergency, trauma, and inpatient care are only the start of what makes the new Children’s Tower a children’s hospital unlike any other. It’s now open and conveniently located for all the unpredictable moments in your child’s life. You might not know when, but you’ll always know where.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Unlock your home equity.*

Shop

World Cocktail Day is this Saturday, May 13, and we’re helping you celebrate with the help of our online shop (Six & Main). Mix things up with flavorful drinks from Simple Time Mixers and satisfying syrups from Portland Syrups. Cheers.

Drink

🍹 A mocktail moment

Recipe: a zero-proof Moscow mule

Add two ounces of pomegranate juice to your Moscow mule for an added tropical punch. | Photo by Michael D. Wilson via Ritual Zero Proof Spirits

If you love the occasional nightcap but hate the hangover that follows (or already enjoy concocting flavorful mixed drinks sans alcohol), Ritual Zero Proof’s spirits will be a great addition to your home bar kit. The award-winning alcohol-free liquors offer a 1:1 spirit replacement, so you can use them just as you would traditional spirits.

Ritual Zero Proof offers alcohol-free tequila, rum, gin, and whiskey that are made using all-natural botanical ingredients to mimic the taste and smell of liquor. Bonus: Ritual Zero Proof’s website has a slew of cocktail recipes we’re drooling over. We’re featuring one of our favorites below.

Traditional Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

2 oz. Ritual Zero Proof Gin
1/2 oz. lime juice
4 oz. ginger beer
Lime wedges (garnish)

Directions:

Fill a copper mug or tumbler with ice. Add all ingredients. Stir and garnish with lime wedges.

Bonus: Buy these copper mugs and the viral nugget ice maker to elevate your cocktail night.*

The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

I was excited to see news about Criterion Cinemas, since it’s been closed for so long. If it’s going to be a restaurant, what food do you think would be a good fit for the location? Share your thoughts.

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