10.17.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

Share your Willow Lawn wishes

What’s the future for Willow Lawn?

Willow Lawn is located near city limits in Henrico County. | Photo by RICtoday

It looks like redevelopment is again in the cards for Willow Lawn.

News broke in August that the site’s owner, Federal Realty Trust, was looking to turn the Henrico shopping center into a mixed-use site. Last week, the county planning commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors to approve the rezoning request.

The rezoning request document illustrates the scope of redevelopment Federal Realty Trust is after. It anticipates the project will take place in stages over the next two or three decades, eventually adding as many as 2,000 residential units and 510,000 sqft of commercial and office space.

RICtoday_WillowLawnRedevelopment_CurrentSite — An overhead look at the current Willow Lawn shopping center.
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Photo via Henrico County documents

The document also notes that “the mix of uses will occur both vertically and horizontally.” Federal Realty is reportedly planning one 10-story mixed-use building, with other buildings generally standing at six floors.

Conceptual illustrations in the document are wide-ranging in terms of style, with examples given for traditional façades, contemporary designs, and architecture inspired by Willow Lawn’s original Miller & Rhoads store and S&W Cafeteria.

There are also visuals for different kinds of street lighting, outdoor furniture, bike and pedestrian facilities, outdoor amenities, and parking garages.

RICtoday_WillowLawnRedevelopment_Outline — In this diagram, dark blue sections would be zoned for mixed-use, light blue would be mixed-use (commercial), and gray would be mixed-use (residential), centered around a courtyard.
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Photo via Henrico County documents

With the future of Willow Lawn still in the imagination stages, we want to know: What do you think should be included in a redevelopment?

Would you want to live or work at a reimagined Willow Lawn? What tenants would you want to move into the space? Or are there issues with the current shopping center that you think should be addressed? Editor Robin here — I’d love it if the area were more bikeable, since navigating all those parking lots can be tricky.

Tell us your thoughts by taking our quick survey below.

Asked

What would you be most excited to see at a redeveloped Willow Lawn?

A. More residential space
B. More restaurants
C. More small businesses
D. More green space

Give your thoughts

Events

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Old School Improv: Grandparents of the Corn(y) | Tuesday, Oct. 17 | 2-3 p.m. | CSz Richmond Theatre, 8906-H W. Broad St., Richmond | $8 | Laugh your heart out at this improv variety show.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

“Hausu – House” | Wednesday, Oct. 18 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | This Japanese experimental horror film has developed a cult following since its release in 1977.

Thursday, Oct. 19

Artober at the Poe Museum | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | The Poe Museum, 1914-16 E. Main St., Richmond | $15 | Enjoy live music by Flashlight Tag, brews by Tabol Brewing, and the culinary crafts of TBT El Gallo.
Garden Glow | Thursday, Oct. 19-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond | $8-$16 | After sunset, the Carriage House Lawn transforms into an enchanting Glow Village with a glow bar, cozy fire pits, food trucks, immersive fun and art installations.

Friday, Oct. 20

ICA LIVE: aja monet | Friday, Oct. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | The surrealist blues poet and community organizer will perform selections from her debut album.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Plant Native! Festival | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen | Free | Learn about native plants, shop from vendors, and hear from keynote speaker Nancy Lawson, author of “The Humane Gardener.”

Get October events

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

Should you really drink 8 glasses of water per day?

LMNT supports all activities — from trail running with the family to making healthier spicy margaritas with the girls. | Photos by LMNT

Since the 1940s, we’ve been told to drink eight glasses of water per day. But drinking beyond thirst dilutes blood electrolyte levels (especially sodium levels), leading to headaches, low energy, cramps, confusion, or worse.

The key? Add electrolytes into the mix.

Enter: LMNT.

Created by scientists, LMNT has enough sodium, potassium, and magnesium to get you truly hydrated. It has zero sugar and artificial colors — while offering fan-fave flavors like Citrus Salt and Raspberry Salt.

Get a free sample pack with any purchase

News Notes

Traffic

Look out for a detour this weekend heading west on Broad near Scott’s Addition. The three westbound lanes will be closed from Arthur Ashe Boulevard to Sheppard Street so that a tower crane can be removed. The Pulse bus lane will remain open.

Civic

The second of two initial meetings discussing the city’s work to develop a Cultural Resources Management Plan will take place tomorrow at 12 p.m. Join the virtual meeting or read up on the project and provide your thoughts by filling out the survey.

Biz

Mondelez International celebrated the Richmond Biscuit Manufacturing Plant‘s 50th anniversary over the weekend. The Henrico County factory has had a few parent companies over the years, producing snacks like Oreo, Nilla Wafers, and Ritz. It opened at its Laburnum Avenue location in 1973. (CBS 6 News)

Drink

Starbucks could make its debut in Goochland around this time next year. The coffee chain is reportedly planning to open its first freestanding location in the county near the Route 288 interchange on Patterson Avenue. (Richmond BizSense)

Health

If you haven’t received your flu shot this year, make an appointment or head to the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts’ walk-up immunization event. Get a flu shot free of charge at the Eastern Henrico Rec Center on Monday, Oct. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m., no appointment necessary.

Arts

Check out art by VisArts studio residents at the upcoming exhibition “The Third Space.” An opening reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. in the True F. Luck Gallery. The exhibit will be on view through the weekend.

Film

Support the Byrd Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ and see a classic Halloween film at this year’s fundraiser screening of “The Bride of Frankenstein” on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. Your $20 ticket will help support the historic instrument’s care and restoration.

Shop

Tickets are available now for Craft + Design, the annual contemporary craft show put on by VisArts. This year, the event returns to Main Street Station the weekend of Nov. 17-19. Attendees can see museum-quality work and shop from 150+ artists in fields including ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, painting, and furniture.

Wellness

You’ve heard of collagen — but have you heard of collagen loading? Here’s how to use NativePath’s Grass-Fed Collagen to do it while it’s over 50% off.*

Environment

☀️ Shiny news for solar

Solar co-op looking for members in Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield

The solar co-op has a goal of reaching 100 members. | Photo by Cindy Shebley

A national nonprofit is looking to start a co-op for solar power and EV charger installations in Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield. Solar United Neighbors is hosting an information session tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Main Library.

The co-op organizes residents to negotiate competitive pricing from solar companies and provide resources for members. The group also plans to extend its efforts to installing more EV chargers in the area. It has a goal of getting 100 members to sign on.

Featured partners on the co-op’s web page include the City of Richmond, Henrico Energy Management, green building firm Viridiant, and Norfolk Solar.

Can’t make the info session? The group has two more on the books before the co-op is planned to close to new members on Dec. 12.

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The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

Willow Lawn’s history is fascinating to me. I remember when it was an indoor mall mostly because I have fond memories of the Cinnabon, which was a must-visit while doing holiday shopping. Send me your favorite stories of the shopping center.

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