Placemaking Services in Downtown Richmond

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What is Placemaking?

“Placemaking” is a people-centered approach to the planning, design, creation and management of public spaces. For us, an effective placemaking process results in inviting and well-maintained public spaces that contribute to downtown Richmond’s health, happiness and well-being. We do this in small- and large-scale ways like film screenings in outdoor public spaces, decorative street banners, beautification along the Canal Walk and some of our downtown streets, advocating for accessible transportation and multi-modal options for all and collaborating with community partners on long-term planning for downtown and riverfront public space.

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We are constantly working on ideas and community placemaking projects to improve the quality of life and place in downtown Richmond. Stay tuned for updates on new placemaking projects!

Street pole banners are another part of how Venture Richmond promotes downtown and all that it has to offer. We are responsible for managing the banner program and over 355 banner poles on behalf of the city. Our job is to create and maintain the banners and campaigns. If you would like to inquire about downtown street banners, please email contactus@venturerichmond.com.

There are 105 banners on the Canal Walk and Brown's Island.

In 2023, 50 new street pole banners were added to Manchester.

In 2023, 5 new map kiosk signs were added along Manchester's Floodwall Walk, 3 new trash cans and 4 new dog bag dispensers.

Venture Richmond maintains city beautification projects for Downtown Richmond, including weeding, watering and installing seasonal plants (spring & fall).

Richmond beautification projects throughout Downtown:

• 270 planters and hanging baskets downtown
• 83 blocks beautified downtown
• 4,000 seasonal plants installed in spring and fall along Broad, Grace, 3rd and 5th Streets including near the I-95 entry points

Richmond beautification projects along the Canal Walk:

• 8 Kwanzan Cherry trees and a River Birch tree were planted on Brown’s Island
• 240 new plants added to the Canal Walk, including autumn shrubs and winter botanical enhancements

Learn more about downtown Richmond's beautification efforts and the Clean and Safe program here.

Venture Richmond manages and maintaines the Canal Walk, and in doing so made the following improvements in 2021-2025:

• 5 redesigned downtown directional map kiosks installed along the Canal Walk/Capital Trail
• 17 new “Welcome to the Canal Walk” signs redesigned and installed at all Canal Walk entrances
• $70,000 invested by Venture Richmond and the Community Foundation in the redesign of the approach ramp to the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
• 437 square feet of new public deck space installed on the Canal Walk at the Tidewater Locks, replacing stairs that had become hazardous; including signage
• 29 feet of stairway bicycle access ramp installed on the Canal Walk at the new Tidewater Locks deck
• worked with Dominion Energy to enhance the user experience at the 10th St Canal Walk stair access, improving the stairs, adding bike racks, adding bike runnels and signage
• worked with the City of Richmond on the Phase II Canal Walk Improvement Project, making the north side of the Canal Walk more accessible to bike traffic
• replanted Bayscapes, an area of all native plant species near Brown’s Island
• 1,800 new shrubs, flowers, and trees added along the Canal Walk and nearby street medians
• 2 new 8’x20’ vinyl banners installed on the Floodwall inviting Capital Trail and Canal Walk users to explore the riverfront
• 20 community non-profits, small businesses and City agencies, meet quarterly as the Riverfront Stakeholders Group to discuss important issues along Downtown’s riverfront

In partnership with Sports Backers’ Bike Walk RVA program, in 2019 we purchased and installed 12 high-capacity bike racks throughout Downtown Richmond.

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Locations include:

• 300 block of W Broad St @ Common House

• 200 block of W Broad St (north side of the street)

• SW corner of W Broad St & N Jefferson St @ Quirk Hotel

• 100 block of W Broad St (south side of the street)

• 0 block of W Broad St (south side of the street)

• NW & NE corners of W Marshall St & Brook Rd @ Gallery 5 & ART 180

• SE corner of E Broad St & N 2nd St @ Storefront for Community Design

• NE corner of E Broad St & N 3rd St @ Code VA & Urban Hang Suite

• SW corner of E Grace St & N 5th St

• NE corner of E Broad St & N 9th St @ City Hall

• Virginia St & Canal Walk @ Turning Basin/Riverfront Canal Cruises

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