Within eyeshot of The Diamond, CarMax Park takes shape, introducing a new era of Richmond baseball. | Photo via CarMax Park
Exponential growth means longtime locals are bound to have a “wait, when did this get here?” moment. We’re here to catch you up on a few of Richmond’s most anticipated builds — timelines, renderings, details — so grab your hard hat and let’s get going.
Mayo Island
Cost: $16 million
Completion: October 2026
Perhaps one of the most talked-about developments in Richmond today, the revival of Mayo Island is years in the making. Funded by state, city, and nonprofit sources, the intensive project will completely transform the environmental landscape and accessibility of Mayo Island, preparing it for public use as a park.
CarMax Park
Cost: $115 million
Completion: April 2026
Serving as the anchor of the Diamond District development, CarMax Park will replace The Diamond as our minor league baseball headquarters. This week, a ceremonial signing took place, finalizing the inclusion of Virginia Commonwealth University’s baseball program.
Local ice cream sandwich company Nightingale is expanding its empire to Target stores nationwide. Five selected flavors will stock the freezers — see if your fave makes the list. Distribution is slated to begin this month, but there’s plenty of local shops stocking Nightingale sandwiches in the meantime. (PR Newswire)
Development
In more development news, Henrico County is building a new six-acre neighborhood park on Patterson Avenue, next to Maybeury Elementary School. Project plans are still in the works, and now’s your chance to share your ideas. Join a community meeting tonight, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m., at Maybeury Elementary.
Community
Did you ever have a pen pal in grade school? A local snail mail program is connecting generations at Pearson’s Corner Elementary School in Hanover and Hermitage Richmond retirement community. 60+ students participate, corresponding through monthly letters and a yearly field trip to the retirement community. (Richmond Magazine)
Theater
Richmond’s 5th Wall Theatre has moved to The Basement — emphasis on the capitalization. It’s not any old basement, but rather, a mysterious, speakeasy-style venue tucked into West Broad Street. See how 5th Wall fills this new space at “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord,” a play about four teenage girls summoning the ghost of Pablo Escobar at a séance.
Election
Heads up: This Friday, Oct. 24, is the last day to register to vote, update your registration, or request a mail-in ballot before the 2025 general election. Knock out these tasks with our election guide. In the meantime, in-person early voting is underway now through Saturday, Nov. 1.
State
Merck has broken ground on a $3 billion, 400,000-sqft pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Elkton, Virginia. This site is expected to generate 500 jobs for the community.
City
Spotted a pothole or other issue? RVA 311 makes it simple to report problems via website, mobile app, or by calling 3-1-1. Quick, easy, and gets city services on the job fast.*
With fall comes local-favorite festivals + live music (catch us at Dogwood Dell Amphitheater). Luckily, these hearing aids are the world’s first with multi-stream processing, designed to help you engage in conversations effortlessly (even in noisy environments). Explore a no-risk trial.*
Home
Renewal by Andersen is offering 40% off your second window purchase, plus $200 off your entire order. Save energy + increase home value with a free quote today.*
The Buy
A really good eye shadow and liner set that features three dual-tip pencils, each with plush, creamy pigments. The Buy Editor Emily uses the low-maintenance set to create everything from a precise liner to a soft, smudged eye shadow look.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Last week, I mentioned that I had a nostalgic, Halloween read on hold at the library. Good news, folks — I was able to pick it up with plenty of time to read and pass it along before the month is over.
I don’t mean to stir the cauldron too much, but I actually think “The Haunted Mask” is the best story in the “Goosebumps” series. Clearly, I’m very passionate about this subject, so feel free to drop your opinion.
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