Changes Coming to Richmond's Riverfront: A Summer Special Two-Part Edition
This first installment in a two part series will highlight upcoming developments around Brown's Island. Next week's edition will feature improvements to the way we get there.
There are major changes coming to the Brown’s Island area in downtown Richmond. Some, like the Riverfront Amphitheater are well celebrated improvements. Others, like the improvements associated with the new CoStar Tower, are less well known to the average Richmonder. These individual changes combined with the Venture Richmond planned overhaul for the entirety of Brown’s Island will take this already popular riverfront destination to a completely new level.
The ways in which we can access Brown’s Island are also going to change on the same timeline. Due to its location, some of the largest transportation projects in the city, such as the NS BRT line and the Fall Line Trail, will pass through Brown’s Island. The city is also investing in multiple projects in the near term to connect Brown’s Island into the Capital Trail network, as well as to improve the sidewalks leading to the Island to make them ADA compliant.
In this article, I’ll dive into many of these improvements, some of which will be operational as soon as next summer!
The Riverfront Amphitheater
A music venue overlooking the river
Richmond’s Riverfront Amphitheater will be open for the 2025 concert season. This 7,500 music venue will feature a stage facing up the hill, tempting viewers to chose between the center stage or the James River while attending a concert.
According to Axios’ Sabrina Moreno, the amphitheater will generate $31 million per year for the city, which means it will pay for itself within the first year of operation.
The venue will not include any new parking spots, which will preserve the view and simplicity of the riverfront. As reported by WTVR, the organizing companies for the project didn’t think additional parking was necessary due to the thousands of existing parking spaces in downtown Richmond. In next week’s edition, I’ll talk about why I think this area is extremely accessible even without the use of a car.
The CoStar Tower and Campus
A major investment for one of Richmond’s corporate giants that will lead to accessible space and dining options for river-goers.
For the past two years, there has been construction fencing and cranes at the intersection of Tredegar Street and 5th Street.
Though briefly delayed by the discovery of an archeological find while digging, the future CoStar tower should be “substantially finished by 2026,” according to the project management firm Whiting-Turner.
Unlike many other downtown properties, CoStar is designing their campus to be largely open to the public. The campus will feature a green terrace and a mixed-use ground floor that will house a food hall and other retail space for use by employees and visitors alike. This should be a welcome improvement since there are such limited dining amenities along the James River.
The Brown’s Island Improvement Plan
A $30 million plan to transform Brown’s Island into a multifaceted destination that amplifies its rich history
Venture Richmond and the City of Richmond are teaming up to fund a glow-up for the already iconic riverfront destination. The City will be contributing $10 million to the project, with a promise of $5 million more once Venture Richmond raises its first $10 million from private donors (like you). Developers hope to begin construction in 2026 once the capital has been raised.
For those of you that don’t want to read all 78 pages of the Brown’s Island Improvement Plan, here’s a summary.
The plan divides Brown’s Island into 7 different sections. Each section will have different purposes and different features. You can also view this summary in context using the custom google map I created here. All images pulled are from the Brown’s Island Improvement Plan.
The Front Porch
The front porch is intended to be the “main entrance” into the Island. Accordingly, it aims to set the tone as well as to provide services to the visitors to allow them to stay for longer. This includes permanent restrooms, food/ drink vendors, and information kiosks. It will also feature landscaping, seating, and bike parking to make it easy to arrive from either Tredegar Street or the T. Tyler Potterfield Bridge.
The Clearing
One section will feature a circular grassy area that is intended to feel like a field carved out of the tree canopy that will cover most of the island. Except for some seating and a labyrinth, The Clearing is mostly meant to be an open, flexible space in the park.
The Point
Built around the existing concrete stairs at the 7th Street bridge to the island, the Point will provide flexible seating and a water feature (such as splash pads or a fountain). The existing concrete steps will be integrated into a larger wooden deck terrace.
Great Lawn
The great lawn will be most similar to the current appearance of Brown’s Island. This large open green space would allow the Island to continue to host special events such as the Friday Cheers Concert Series and the Richmond Folk Festival.
Back Porch
The Back Porch will be located at the eastern end of the Island. It will include some an entrance similar to the one found in the Front Porch, and will also have space for pop-up vendor events and activities. The Back Porch will also be the connection point for updated access to the Pipeline Trail as well as the Canal Walk.
Haxall Gardens
The idea behind the Haxall Gardens section is to integrate art and botanical features both along and inside the canal into an improved walkway/ access point to the canal itself.
Sturgeon Cove
Sturgeon Cove is an update to the area immediately west of the Island (remember the rope swing hanging from the train tresle?). The idea is to update this space and add a pavilion, boat launch, and improved river access features that can be used for both recreational and educational purposes.
These seven sections will come together to provide a new Brown’s Island that is both true to it’s current form, but also a major attraction to serve locals and visitors alike.
Now, how do we visit Brown’s Island? Won’t all of this development mean we need more parking? What’s the point of all of this investment if its so hard to actually get to this location?
In next week’s issue, I’ll talk about upcoming transportation and infrastructure improvements that will serve Brown’s Island.
Thanks for reading!
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