[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6510599,"mediaKeyId","5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c","parentId",5365565,"title","City advances Holly Street Playground concept with conditions on shade, fencing and maintenance","audioSeconds",2894,"startMs",3497000,"endMs",6391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c&start=3497&end=6391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c/thumbnail_3497000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510599/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/City-advances-Holly-Street-Playground-concept-with-conditions-on-shade-fencing-and-maintenance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510599-c1930b29c9de83268d5a79cb3313cfd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770481639&Signature=ofckAN2Cv9FDrsJdBqBK9aF05FAHd30V9RxrcnIGNZpX91nLszX~G4N212hMaH8Vjri1xQ2CJgEK2jZscD1lkDOzWJTmnrTvTpqkfEvSkFLsG6mI~uxJkx3oeSoM1uBUxs4WfRd3rLRxduskUexP~-9YtzCR49MjNmQyHyQro5cXy5zcsTyHBG1MG~ewMbZIjP5ZrJrMI2KOAT63sUQHyOzmE8xgxc85obqKBEUUHx0A6OncA1C~bg3BY6lRrjyeNE0b86T2SA3Tkmxh7AekOXW7Tl-jLTpxkmdACqXWN5rz~YWJY2TDZfDYNY4HVb9LaNs1pC6ykD1uroqwCmYQUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-07-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Urban Design Committee on July 10 voted to advance concept approval for the Holly Street Playground renovation at 819 Holly Street, asking the applicant to incorporate additional shade above the play area, investigate ornamental fencing options and provide a maintenance plan during final review.

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities project manager Ryan Wren presented a conceptual master plan for the 1.1‑acre neighborhood park in Oregon Hill. The proposed plan, informed by a year of community engagement, includes a renovated entry plaza, a resurfaced court, a splash pad, reorganized play equipment for multi-generational use, a small \"skate nook\" for learning wheeled sports, seating, shade structures (sail canopies and new trees), and repurposed site materials where feasible.

Committee members and residents pressed the design team on several points: the amount and placement of hardscaping versus green space, the precise definition and size of the proposed skate nook (applicants said it is intended for small, fixed elements such as boxes or rails for skill-building, not large half‑pipes), maintenance responsibilities for new plantings and the splash pad, and providing more shade because the neighborhood has poor tree canopy coverage.

A Friends of Oregon Hill Parks representative and multiple residents said they favor a dedicated, small hard-surfaced area where children and teens can practice wheeled sports safely; they urged a definition to prevent future installation of large skate ramps. Residents and committee members asked the applicant to limit increased impervious surface and to consider permeable paving where appropriate. Parks staff said the project would prioritize permeable surfacing where feasible and reuse of materials when possible.

The UDC voted to approve the concept with staff recommendations and added conditions that the applicant explore additional shade features for the playground area (Area 5 on the conceptual plan) and consider additional ornamental fencing options (including reuse where feasible) without binding the city to a specific salvaged fence.

Staff recommendations recorded in the staff report included: dark‑sky‑sensitive lighting, permeable hardscape where appropriate, reuse of existing materials where feasible, submission of a maintenance plan with final design, and incorporation of public art if feasible. The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the motion to advance the concept subject to the conditions.

Committee members asked for continued neighborhood engagement on hardscape quantity and placement ahead of final submission and for the applicant to provide clearer definitions and a prioritized implementation schedule tied to available CIP funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Urban Design Committee on 2025-07-10 10:00 AM - Jul 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Urban Design Committee on July 10 approved conceptual plans for renovation of Holly Street Playground at 819 Holly Street, advancing the project with staff conditions and committee requests for more shade, fencing options and a maintenance plan.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510603,"UDC approves Browns Island signage with minor changes; committee asks for accessible restroom labeling and litter language",691,2774000,3465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c&start=2774&end=3465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c/thumbnail_2774000.jpg","/articles/6510603/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/UDC-approves-Browns-Island-signage-with-minor-changes-committee-asks-for-accessible-restroom-labeling-and-litter-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510603-3af36c9ef6b308695c2c00a6c6af3c29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770481639&Signature=SByfWGNyxhevbehZH8af3XCYZU68ErMdkF29UXlzjuPVZciFPDPjD8vHSfrn--AYsIp45KXvBhPfouG8JQUgsSvjiUc4ng6iZSmW3sJS2X9iwq-5sxDJfOdlwFwjyfWtAN-YBMzPqPZArJLRmJ4QjyE3IPAogQYkZLjnan4hXeGYaiWqXnmrVmy2gz~mc4WU1ENALx4DC49iOogKcGqv6tCRcJ-IyyDIa1moHXB2TUP9tlI~cuxYcebA7Jhr8vMVpqJZnHCOheDa9zwfsNpWrNDlAALOsdwZemwvWA0cMbmwvh36LL1OJs1L2WsBCKmTjjcS950VbCMwZkDgoBNIkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Design Committee on July 10 approved the signage package for the Browns Island renovation with two changes: remove gender pictograms from exterior restroom signs (use a neutral label such as \"Restroom\") and include standard wording about fines for littering.

The applicant presented graphics, colorways and material details for a suite of island signs intended to be durable and distinct. Committee members and applicants discussed restroom signage — the submitted package showed male/female outlines — and asked that the building façade not display gender pictograms, instead using a neutral text label with interior signage indicating unisex stalls and changing tables. The applicant confirmed interior doors will be marked for unisex use and changing tables where applicable.

Committee members also requested the applicant add a standard litter/fine notice to park signage. The applicant said that language is standard on many city park signs and can be incorporated.

Discussion covered material durability and fabrication. Committee members asked fabricators to adjust thin cutout elements in the signs so elements remain structurally sound and suggested mockups in real daylight because the presentation colors can look different on screens. Some members expressed aesthetic concerns about bright accent colors; the applicant said color choices were developed from island elements and stakeholder input and will be refined through mockups.

An online resident thanked the committee for removing the earlier \"Hollywood‑style\" sign option. A motion to approve the package with the two edits passed by roll call with unanimous 'yes' votes recorded.

The file is UDC 2025-5203 (signage for Browns Island, 500 Tredegar Street); interior restroom labeling and final fabrication details will be addressed in the sign‑fabrication and building permit process.","The Urban Design Committee approved a signage package for Browns Island with two changes: remove gender pictograms from exterior restroom signage and add littering/fine language; the committee also directed the applicant to ensure durability of sign cutouts and to consider color mockups in sunlight.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510608,"UDC approves Hull Street Library exterior overhaul after debate over artificial turf",1903,852000,2755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c&start=852&end=2755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c/thumbnail_852000.jpg","/articles/6510608/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/UDC-approves-Hull-Street-Library-exterior-overhaul-after-debate-over-artificial-turf","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510608-03e52dbd8e99455a15bcf8f561943e01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770481639&Signature=Gk7rO28nbGrY2US7Q0DeO-UZTgE-0~h8E1jjVq10j4qHMyISjiSKKsSUVm0~2S1Tx74hXkv82zmXS5EKlWwbuYm7ZFyifoUT0Q2qEgVvRC5yDJl~3BhIZKXXf5A-KpwjlnAccTrb2B8TvPwkhk5Z7a0mzpyQ7Poij5hb5KUgp~~aeQ~Gez6dsxbGsJDDJbyTFDio3r3aRPmPdmr64YjQIAuPx66pXe17mngkBN8yruIhdeYTvozYqvuZeVNyTF4pDuzrzEuVE2-1dcm5md-BhyA2vsqxi78EhHduzyYt3-f5qCqmogdbvCnxhPwDFKY75l3BWovBGz5sWSj0msf6YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Design Committee on July 10 approved final location/character review for the Green and Richmond Public Library’s Hull Street Branch project at 1400 Hull Street, endorsing stormwater bioretention basins, pervious paving in the parking/walk zones and an artificial-turfed outdoor reading/play area after committee debate about whether plastic turf fits the project’s sustainability goals.

The project, located in the Blackwell neighborhood at Hall Street and East 14th Street, would replace some impervious surfaces with engineered pervious pavers and install bioretention basins to infiltrate stormwater runoff from the roof, sidewalks and parking lot, increase shade, add seating and create a small public park and outdoor reading space, according to the applicant’s presentation.

Committee members pressed the design team on the children’s play surface. Several members said they preferred natural groundcover or permeable alternatives to artificial turf; project designers and library officials said turf was chosen because it provides a soft, low‑maintenance surface that will stand up to the amount of foot traffic the site will see and meets stormwater/pervious-surface requirements tied to project funding and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) specifications.

\"We would have loved to have done something natural and sustainable in that space,\" said Scott Firestein, Director of Richmond Public Libraries (speaking remotely). \"It’s a very tough space to get things to grow and maintain.\"

Project architect Drew (last name not specified in the record) described the artificial turf product as engineered over a series of graded aggregate layers similar to pervious paver installation; an applicant representative said the turf product has an estimated service life of about 50 years.

Representatives from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) told the committee the library project also supports the city’s RVA Clean Water Plan by adding green infrastructure. Jen Clark, engineering services division, said the project’s bio-retention and pervious storage meet grant and IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) funding priorities and complement PlanRVA and James River Association partnerships.

Committee members approved the project with the staff condition that any sidewalk additions match the existing brick pavers, and with discussion recorded that staff strongly supports the stormwater and landscaping enhancements. During discussion members requested materials/samples and additional detail on fencing, generator screening, seating design (including options to deter loitering on benches) and oversight of maintenance for planted areas.

The motion to approve carried after roll-call; one committee member recorded opposition on environmental grounds but did not block approval. The applicant noted it would return with materials/renderings for the committee’s July review prior to final submittal to the Planning Commission.

The committee exchange included public comment from the James River Association partner and from neighborhood representatives who said they welcomed the project as a heat‑island mitigation and community green space despite discomfort with plastic turf.

The UDC recorded its approval with conditions related to paver matching and requested follow-up on maintenance and materials ahead of final review.","The Urban Design Committee approved the final location/character review for the Hull Street Branch Library exterior improvements, endorsing stormwater basins, pervious paving and an artificial-turfed children's area after a lengthy discussion about materials and environmental tradeoffs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510590,"Neighborhood group urges coordinated replanting plan for Monument Avenue trees; city staff to advise",1099,11466000,12565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c&start=11466&end=12565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c/thumbnail_11466000.jpg","/articles/6510590/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Neighborhood-group-urges-coordinated-replanting-plan-for-Monument-Avenue-trees-city-staff-to-advise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510590-95cdb4ceb2a186ca36315b68d2e18f6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770481639&Signature=gdaJEmoglzvxKvLrE0fUG-uWboHW0FWmIvdogIp0LWlOH0zJuOkTdc47WPh9eTffwjO9Mj~iGaJfmvREKR9AmdSvRUM1v-TswzKIwEzValXy5ujFkjj-U90YVrGBIpOzo5NC9HClXa0tCBX7Wt4Go1InoUND9Y1S1RwNnjIHKOui0vqGcKSQ3iDjmzqm9c1kgxGCo0gSpweFS1dJqMDsnpg7y2V0d6c~DfIixpNue625Az3~PZFizt38C0mYN-90igSvh16QExdIWMlxCbX8jA3tfQI9bEmLIJz~x-bwhD2qVX70hBFHEOr9VbhZRG7dN1S957oMoe9f5HeqB4F~-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Historic Monument Avenue neighborhood representatives asked the Urban Design Committee to support a coordinated street‑tree replanting strategy after presenting an inventory showing dozens of missing or declining trees and the risks of returning to a sugar‑maple monoculture.

Alice Massey and Janice Knuckles, representing Historic Monument Avenue (HMA), told UDC that an 11‑year city tree inventory plus a recent on‑the‑ground survey by an arborist firm documented approximately 51 vacancies and numerous trees in decline along the avenue. The group said the original sugar maple planting pattern that historically defined the avenue is now vulnerable to pests, heat stress and other decline, and they urged a resilient but historically sensitive replacement approach.

Massey and Knuckles said their survey and consultations with arborists led them to recommend two species — the Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) — as candidates that match the avenue’s historic canopy scale, fall color and non‑fruiting requirements, while providing greater resilience than sugar maple. They proposed block‑by‑block selection so each block would be largely consistent while alternating species between blocks to avoid a future monoculture.

City urban forester Michael Webb and DPW staff participated in the discussion and confirmed the city’s existing permitting process for street‑tree planting and removal. Webb noted sugar maples are increasingly stressed in local conditions and supported diversifying species. Staff advised the neighborhood to present a planting plan and work through the department’s permit process; neighborhood leaders said many residents are prepared to contribute funding and wanted clear, city‑endorsed guidance so residents do not install inappropriate trees independently.

UDC members praised the neighborhood’s proactive survey and asked staff and neighborhood leaders to coordinate next steps, including determining an actionable planting sequence, confirming nursery availability for proposed species and routing a proposed planting/maintenance plan through the city’s tree‑permit process and, if appropriate, Historic Resources input. The committee did not take formal regulatory action but asked staff to advise on the permitting timeline and next steps.","Historic Monument Avenue neighbors presented an inventory showing many missing or declining street trees and urged a coordinated planting plan that preserves the avenue’s historic character while increasing species diversity; the city’s urban forester and DPW committed to follow-up on permitting and planting coordination.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510595,"UDC endorses conceptual Arthur Ashe Boulevard bridge design and forms subcommittee to refine gateway, bike connectivity and lighting",3771,7221000,10992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c&start=7221&end=10992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5365565-af763b0ce82dcbe9e9234656ab09203c/thumbnail_7221000.jpg","/articles/6510595/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/UDC-endorses-conceptual-Arthur-Ashe-Boulevard-bridge-design-and-forms-subcommittee-to-refine-gateway-bike-connectivity-and-lighting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510595-8812d35f8b3ade56155da0b5c4a0e08f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770481639&Signature=WmxJK2DDKfTF1ALvnzF5wB~~dEMLItfkLJX9pCOdK~FEb9R6dQbuoWqzcguXSa7Zpv6KZdfsx8WNU5ZCyYa849S4bQc3N1E2MR6WzSIsIPv~MbXPr4C~MLI6FkpZpn31y09bzA5PcFUBQVjohg3SS4fWR0NW8hulZaNvS30VNBEa8U5OKy8Fnti8nqY74At8SpSdJUlJY8J0jpfh8PgO-B0d97Xzy1Z5wTJ7RFxkP2gGhw8PLTA1umUcfOARd547CCgkKcFTJbwN3cuH8wRtO98bcnWrHNb4zSTEXAUAwXirX2UzhRkOQLC0FCusdVt8QZPUo1Fpv6WewF2P8kFHoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Design Committee on July 10 provisionally endorsed the conceptual design for replacement of the Arthur Ashe Boulevard bridge over the CSX rail corridor and formed a subcommittee to work with the applicant on refining motifs for the gateway, public-art options, bicycle connectivity and lighting.

Public Works presented the project as a federally funded bridge replacement (Federal Highway Administration funding) to replace a structurally deficient four‑span bridge with a two‑span structure and to raise the roadway approximately seven feet to meet CSX clearance requirements. The proposed plan preserves two travel lanes in each direction and adds a widened shared‑use path on the west side and a wide sidewalk on the east side, integrated seating and planters, slotted metal shade canopies, a web‑mesh perimeter fence and an overhead gateway structure intended to create a landmark presence along the corridor linking the Diamond District and Scott’s Addition.

Designers said the bridge and gateway concept draw on industrial character and repeated vertical elements to create a distinct entry sequence into the two districts. Committee members praised the multimodal and streetscape intent but identified several issues to refine: the current gateway element appears too plain and could read as an interstate sign; the canopy/column rhythm was described by members as visually fragmented and in need of stronger, higher‑impact elements for drivers; the applicant should reduce heavy structural members and refine the canopy perforations and lighting design to balance nighttime visibility and dark‑sky concerns.

Bikeway advocates noted connectivity gaps: advance plan materials show the shared path on the west side but do not clearly connect to existing/nearby bike facilities on Lee Street or the Moore Street protected track; BikeWalk RVA urged stronger, explicit connections rather than presuming cyclists will cross twice to reach the shared path. City engineers said right‑of‑way geometry constrains a fully separated bike/ped layout on both sides, so designers intend to provide the wider shared path on the west side and high‑quality crossing treatments at intersections.

Project cost estimates presented by the city: $38 million in total estimated project cost — approximately $18.4 million federal FHWA funds, $15.6 million city share, and about $4 million from CSX (figures provided by project manager). The city said the schedule is tight because the federal obligation deadline requires advancing design to advertise in the coming year; the design team is moving to 60% design now with a target to complete final design early 2026 and begin construction after award, with completion aimed for 2028.

The UDC voted to accept the conceptual design with staff recommendations on planting, lighting, structure specifications and maintenance planning and created a subcommittee to meet with the design team on gateway character, public art coordination and bicycle/pedestrian details. The motion passed by roll call; the applicant will bring refined designs and mockups to the subcommittee and later return to UDC for final design review.","The Urban Design Committee gave conceptual approval to the Arthur Ashe Boulevard bridge replacement over CSX, supporting multimodal improvements and streetscape elements while creating a UDC subcommittee to refine gateway treatment, bike connectivity and nighttime lighting details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City advances Holly Street Playground concept with conditions on shade, fencing and maintenance

UDC approves Browns Island signage with minor changes; committee asks for accessible restroom labeling and litter language

UDC approves Hull Street Library exterior overhaul after debate over artificial turf

Neighborhood group urges coordinated replanting plan for Monument Avenue trees; city staff to advise

UDC endorses conceptual Arthur Ashe Boulevard bridge design and forms subcommittee to refine gateway, bike connectivity and lighting