10/23/19
Downtown In the News: September
CATCH UP ON ALL OF DOWNTOWN'S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS, OPENINGS & MORE!
From Left to Right: VCU Maker Garage courtesy of Richmond BizSense, Grace Street Bike Racks, Acute Gallery courtesy of Richmond BizSense
WHAT'S NEW?
RVA Downtown-Branded Bike Racks Come to Grace Street
We are excited to announce that new bike parking has been installed and is ready to use between 4th and 5th Streets. In partnership with Sports Backers’ Bike Walk RVA program, and with the much-appreciated help from Kendra Norrell of VCU Sustainability, we were able to provide two high-capacity bike racks to better serve the needs of Centenary United Methodist Church, as well as businesses along the corridor like Pop's Market on Grace, Secret Sandwich Society, Wong Gonzalez, Rappahannock Restaurant, and others. Find out other ways to get around downtown via our "Parking and Transportation" page and downtown map.
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Acute Gallery Opens Off of a Broad Street
Adding to the always growing Richmond Arts District comes Acute Gallery, located at 215 W. Clay Street. Adjacent to the long-standing Gallery5 space, Acute hopes to show "contemporary artists of all types" and participate in the popular RVA First Fridays Art Walk. Open to the public and on exhibit now is the owner, Beto Hopper's own work and features an interactive peephole-turned-kaleidoscope visible via the street when the doorbell is rung. Read more about the neighborhood's newest space designated to the arts community via Richmond BizSense here.
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VCU Rolls Out a 4,500 SF Maker Garage for Students
Open for the first time this fall semester, VCU's College of Engineering unveiled the machine shop designed for heavy-duty design projects. The former auto shop was bought by VCU for $610,000 and has been outfitted with metal and woodworking equipment for its students to use. Learn more about the Maker Garage and what it's being used to build via Richmond BizSense here.
From Left to Right: Sassy Jones Boutique courtesy of Richmond Magazine, Goat Island courtesy of Richmond BizSense, Bryant's Cider courtesy of Richmond Times-Dispatch
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Goat Island Goes to Riverside Outfitters
About 1/3 of a mile upstream from the Z-Dam rests the 1-acre land known as Goat Island was purchased for $11,000 by Riverside Outfitters. The outdoor adventure company plans to allow the island for public use by kayakers, canoers, and paddleboarders after cleaning up the island and getting rid of the invasive flora that inhabits the island today. Read more about the deal and Riverside Outfitters' plans via Richmond BizSense here.
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Sassy Jones Boutique Makes Entrepreneur Magazine's List of Nation's Best Businesses
Ranking at #187 out of of 360 businesses across the nation, downtown Richmond's own Sassy Jones Boutique is a leader in innovation, growth, and leadership! Make sure to stop by to say "Congratulations" and shop their collection of accessories, handbags, and jewelry at their storefront located at 316 E. Grace Street. Find out what other Richmond businesses made the list and more about Sassy Jones via Richmond Times-Dispatch here.
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Bryant's Cider Sets Move to Shockoe Bottom
Bryant's Cider's current tasting room sits at 308 Adams Street in the heart of the Arts District, but will change come January 2020 according to its owner, Jerry Thornton. Instead of renting, Thornton has bought the building at 2114 E. Main Street and hopes to turn the space into part production facility and part tasting room. Hoping that the increased foot traffic found in the Bottom will help Bryant's Cider gain a bigger presence in Richmond, Thornton will continue to operate the tasting room on Adams Street until late November. Find out more information on the move via Richmond BizSense here.
From Left to Right: Manchester courtesy of Richmond BizSense, Former Pasture location courtesy of Eating Appalachia, VA Bio+Tech Park rendering courtesy of Richmond BizSense
WHAT'S COMING?
Pink Flamingo Pops Up in Former Pasture Spot
The owners of Maya's Mexican Grill and Tequila Lounge are bringing a coastal taco bar to the space where Pasture previously lived. Currently under construction, The Pink Flamingo hopes to open at 416 E. Grace Street very soon and will offer a more laid-back, bar atmosphere. Read more about the owners, the Oseguera family, and their restaurant family via CBS6 here.
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Activation Capital Files Plans for Proposed VA Bio+Tech Research Building
The local non-profit, Activation Capital, is proposing the build of a six-story, 100,000-square-foot research building and 740-space parking deck at 706 E. Leigh Street. As they wait approval, the current site for the proposed property consists of an abandoned building and two surface parking lots and is owned by the VA Bio+Tech Park. Read more about the Bio+Tech Park's plans and site via Richmond BizSense.
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More Mixed-Use in Manchester
Manchester Properties LLC is seeking to rezone a nearly 1-acre property along Perry, Commerce, and Porter Streets. If the change in zoning is approved, the company hopes to transform the site into a mixed-use project with garage parking, street-level retail, residential units, and office space. Learn more about this proposed development and the developers via Richmond BizSense here.
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Style Weekly Shares What's "Under Construction" Downtown
There's no question that downtown is always changing and growing, but sometimes it can be hard to keep up with all of the commotion. Current downtown construction projects include The Virginia General Assembly Building, The Locks Tower, The Current, and many more! Read all about the 10+ projects in the pipeline via Style Weekly here.