[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6636592,"mediaKeyId","2609346-9be10e4952fbbb9dfc1ed01d0e13d0e9","parentId",2609346,"title","Urban Design Committee backs conceptual plans for new Woodville Elementary; requests follow-up on resiliency and details","audioSeconds",2117,"startMs",6489000,"endMs",8606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609346-9be10e4952fbbb9dfc1ed01d0e13d0e9&start=6489&end=8606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609346-9be10e4952fbbb9dfc1ed01d0e13d0e9/thumbnail_6489000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6636592/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Urban-Design-Committee-backs-conceptual-plans-for-new-Woodville-Elementary-requests-follow-up-on-resiliency-and-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636592-5bd1816335a1a414fa1c54ec9c73551f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000475&Signature=Z~o~cI~pa1-U2vMOGaqm7z5i0HnKv44rcuwLof9dkhKVVlLi-6yFJY-uma6ITzKNJ~rRf3sMHkhNy0TKfLfiWhvgqnCby49KkNeSId120rg0w-KN9VW2z5i57YuDO0zDINTio-NsR7xrN5vr-FmMCHuBZs6~EPCmlkJYozJMlNxKFqbo3SLeQvubebb9zmeItSOllLcA~fraEaokjZQ7ugewBxeDsZb9fT2ARj2O-OpVIr3fVuMmShSgJjrzoIinTVaL~tgGbCwrIUdyQQxeeMKWrQzcvkQyAra7YuC~7MShiONkNrtldRnrunHFYpfYdj1Avd5MBlVT2yi-nI47og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Urban Design Committee on March 13 granted conceptual approval for a replacement Woodville Elementary School, signaling support for a 72,000-square-foot, three-story facility designed for roughly 486 students and a range of community resilience measures. The committee asked the applicant to return with detailed plans for extreme-weather response, final exterior materials, lighting, landscaping, and documentation showing how the school could support community needs during extreme events.

What the project includes: Richmond Public Schools
nd its design team presented a design that consolidates learning spaces into a three-story academic bar, a separate public wing housing the library, dining commons and gym, and extensive outdoor amenities including play areas, gardens, walking/biking paths and a covered community pavilion intended for cooling or relief during extreme heat events. The design team said the building is \"net zero energy ready\" and that photovoltaic arrays, battery storage and harvested water were proposed as add alternates tied to grant funding.

Why it matters: Woodville serves neighborhoods on Richmond\u000east End where community organizations and residents have identified climate resilience needs. Project presenters described the building as a potential community asset in emergencies, with plumbing, battery power and potable-water storage that could support neighbors if the district secures additional funding for those systems.

Applicant and staff comments: Kelly Callahan, project architect, said the team prioritized extreme-heat readiness and storm resilience after community engagement, and described stormwater measures including bioretention cells, cisterns and underground storage sized to a 15-year design storm. \"We know that we can design a really high efficient, happy, healthy, high performing...net-zero energy ready project,\" Callahan said, describing energy-efficiency and daylighting strategies incorporated in the design. Civil engineer Eddie (VHB) outlined stormwater approaches and the decision to increase design storm storage.

Committee direction and staff recommendations: Staff recommended the applicant provide more detail on extreme-weather response planning, dark-sky sensitive lighting, incorporation of public art, a maintenance plan for landscaping and sustainability features, permeable hardscape where appropriate, and improved bike infrastructure and pedestrian markings. The committee specifically asked that the applicant return with perspective street-level renderings, a clear planting palette and species list, and highlighted an interest in the appearance of the school\u000edge facing neighborhood streets. Several committee members encouraged designs that fit the existing neighborhood character rather than a purely suburban aesthetic.

Temporary and future capacity concerns: Committee members asked about enrollment projections and the potential need for learning cottages or temporary modular classrooms if population growth exceeds projections. The committee asked the applicant to \"study\" how temporary units would be sited and to consider filtration or mitigation measures for such temporary facilities.

Budget and grant funding: The project team told the committee RPS initially budgeted about $37 million but recent estimates put the total at roughly $52.7 million in schematic design; some resilience elements (PV arrays, battery storage, harvested potable water, additional community facilities) are add alternates dependent on an EPA community change grant and other funds. The applicants said they have not yet received word on the EPA grant and that add alternates will be prioritized by cost and community impact.

Vote: The committee voted to approve the conceptual plan and recommended follow-up items; committee members voting yes included Denise; Gimmer; Magnardi; McKenzie; Hammitt; Woodson; Pearson; Clark; and Guillaume. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: The applicant will return for final UDC review with detailed responses to staff recommendations, an expanded materials and plant list, street-level perspectives, and documentation of extreme-weather response elements and operations plans. The committee and staff encouraged coordination with the city
rts program for public-art opportunities and with parks and rec if site features or pool property conversations continue.

Ending: The committee
pproval moves the Woodville project into later design phases while making clear that funding-dependent resilience systems and landscaping must be documented and justified before final approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Urban Design Committee on 2025-03-13 10:00 AM - Mar 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Urban Design Committee approved a conceptual design for a new, three-story Woodville Elementary School with community-focused resilience features but asked the project team to provide additional detail on extreme-weather response, materials, plant lists and how temporary learning cottages would be handled.","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},6636596,"Committee approves Reed Elementary bus-loop extension to ease morning congestion",245,5878000,6123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609346-9be10e4952fbbb9dfc1ed01d0e13d0e9&start=5878&end=6123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609346-9be10e4952fbbb9dfc1ed01d0e13d0e9/thumbnail_5878000.jpg","/articles/6636596/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-approves-Reed-Elementary-bus-loop-extension-to-ease-morning-congestion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636596-1f8705c9cf96243891bd7f6c5b87cb17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000475&Signature=YLBqISPmcI0xXX4gB5fZwpnO8ehvBkyiWWqk07C1NZEn6z4IZnejazmKp7Umlqz-um8mmrN-FzPaYJPwouPMZkExOzHDGNowrcYSNPJXTu1yWDwDRL9~y1liwAfyD0QmTr2wHa2eQp8D8zbMlNNWyDA8gQ6AOIspk5r49Zok6EBiqWZ~PdCoXyroEKs2ATTDyXON4-~2TVXH9XLHtRK0uBXC-0qhaJLHO0ohEM3DUPn5pkppLQ6c1MkOr4GJV6aq7ClynGEm2FD1aCbpw52o~5afh-ySBnNX~M-9PEphsYLdDwyQZTYPK~YO-jyjqc3nXg3RjljDTOzk341ugTVjTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Design Committee on March 13 approved a final location/character/extent review for a Reed Elementary School project to extend the existing bus loop and reduce bus queuing on Whitehead Road. The project expands the on-site bus storage area by approximately 210 feet, increasing capacity so buses no longer queue onto the street during peak drop-off and pick-up times.

Why it matters: School bus queuing onto public streets can create safety and traffic congestion in residential areas. The approved extension is intended to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the neighborhood around Reed Elementary.

Project details and committee direction: Richmond Public Schools presented a plan to lengthen the existing bus loop while retaining a 24-foot travel lane and adding a 6-foot sidewalk along the pickup/drop-off side of the loop. The project includes stormwater drainage improvements tying into the existing storm sewer at the Whitehead/Daytona intersection, and the applicant agreed to relocate several small trees planted by students elsewhere on school property.

Staff had recommended the final sidewalk be extended to connect the school entrance to Whitehead Road and recommended permeable paving and additional bike parking. During discussion the project team explained limited right-of-way, overhead utilities and an undedicated 30-foot prescriptive easement along the frontage constrained some sidewalk options. The committee modified staff recommendations to strike the previously stated direct sidewalk-extension condition and instead asked the applicant to revise condition language so that planting and landscaping be coordinated with the final bus-loop geometry; the committee also asked the applicant to add or evaluate bicycle parking near the western entrance.

Richmond Public Schools told the committee the extension is intended as a relatively quick construction project to solve an immediate safety issue; representatives estimated the work could be completed within a month during a typical construction period if scheduling permits. The school\ristrict also said relocated trees would be placed elsewhere on school grounds and agreed to provide a planting plan at final submission.

Vote: The committee voted to approve the Reed Elementary bus-loop extension with staff recommendations, with the modification that the sidewalk condition be struck as stated and planting guidance be adjusted to reflect the actual bus-loop design and include plantings along the bus-loop frontage. Committee members voting yes included: Denise; Gimmer; Magnardi; McKenzie; Hammitt; Woodson; Pearson; Clark; and Doyle. The vote was unanimous.

Next steps: The applicant will provide the revised final plans, a planting/landscape plan showing where existing trees will be relocated, and confirm permits and drainage details with city departments before construction proceeds. Construction timing will be coordinated to limit disruption to school operations.

Ending: The committee
ction clears a path for a near-term, focused fix to bus-related congestion while leaving options for future sidewalk or streetscape work to be solved in larger right-of-way projects.","The Urban Design Committee approved a final-location review to extend Reed Elementary School's bus loop to increase on-site bus storage and reduce queuing onto Whitehead Road, subject to minor revisions including a planting plan and bike-parking provisions.",{"_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},6636601,"Urban Design Committee approves updated Browns Island improvement plan with conditions",5294,571000,5865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609346-9be10e4952fbbb9dfc1ed01d0e13d0e9&start=571&end=5865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609346-9be10e4952fbbb9dfc1ed01d0e13d0e9/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/6636601/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Urban-Design-Committee-approves-updated-Browns-Island-improvement-plan-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636601-43c9b7cc3ba691ec62ea3cd31e085c34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000475&Signature=G8rbmeJbg2gKZAjt6J~G7CfxOeqpMXEh0riGJVfL42UUuyb5Np2jOlUywmjphf-klZ4ZhkqqnRYWddJLudL7G2P0XksJgJOI1vNZnpD4eAc1j9otw5ujsrr-TT69EomhdyTRwYkLwzOpPCbmnyD~66KEwIxLhJDzIjnyOtNWUR9gIAvs908PzSp7gXqnhkhzxNAHj36L1411j2usi~GCAqdN66jJnQg4U-eAARI1Y0gtGANaw18AaXucfJYdFXfNKK7xy9m8yKut15BZY9v92e2kIILYk5KfM5QUEPjPD7TsLKnmiMYfPiU~y872kG-NtgDsOPriznJGS5MVxQZ7tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Design Committee on March 13 approved conceptual plans for the Browns Island Improvement Project, a revised version of the 2019 plan that Venture Richmond and the city\repartment of Parks and Recreation are advancing toward construction. The committee approved staff recommendations and added direction for the project team to strengthen architectural character and reduce large constructed features such as excessive terracing and prominent signage.

The approval covers a plan that narrows earlier work to five zones on Browns Island: the Lookout near Potterfield Bridge, Haxall Gardens along the canal, The Point at the Seventh Street Bridge, river terraces and the Manchester Breezeway beneath the Manchester Bridge. The design would add permanent restrooms, vendor kiosks, widened esplanade space for events, new terraces and improved landscaping and accessibility while removing some previously proposed elements to reduce cost and environmental risk.

Why it matters: Browns Island is a high-profile downtown riverfront site that serves as both a day-use park and a major events venue. The committee
ction moves the project from schematic design toward final review while pressing the project team to refine details that affect nighttime lighting, stormwater management, public access and the island
ppearance.

The project team
nd partners said the plan is being advanced now after Venture Richmond
nd the city refined the scope to improve feasibility. \"We are working with Venture Richmond and the city parks department on this project since late 2018, early '19,\" Andrea Almond, landscape architect with 3 North, told the committee, describing how tree replacement, accessibility and river views drove design choices. Lisa Richardson, deputy director for capital improvement with Parks and Recreation, introduced Venture Richmond representatives and emphasized coordination between the nonprofit leaseholder and city operations.

Key committee direction and staff conditions: staff recommended detailed lighting designs that limit light pollution, permeable or sustainable hardscape materials where feasible, final planting and species lists, stormwater retention details and expanded accessibility throughout the site. Staff also asked the applicant to continue public outreach and to provide final materials and furnishings that resist graffiti and require minimal maintenance. The committee added two specific recommendations: to \"strengthen architectural defining features\" so buildings and site elements feel more distinct and civic, and to study ways to \"reduce constructed/ hardscape features (including large signage, extensive terracing and broad concrete expanses) where possible,\" preserving programmatic needs for event logistics.

Public comment and concerns: Oregon Hill resident Charles Poole urged the committee to delay approval until the public could review the revised plans and asked the applicant to remove proposed floating wetlands from the Haxall Canal and to drop a proposed large island sign, calling the sign \"offensive.\" Poole also urged better connections to the river, including stairways to an informal sandy area below Browns Island and sound mitigation for concert direction toward Oregon Hill.

Project timeline and funding: Andrea Almond said the design team envisions returning for final review in May and hopes construction could begin late this year if fundraising and permitting progress. Venture Richmond is leading private fundraising; the city has committed some funding. The committee and staff stressed that final approvals should include clearer operations and maintenance plans, especially for new permanent restrooms and site furnishings.

Votes at a glance: The committee voted to approve the conceptual plan with staff recommendations and the two additional recommendations described above. Committee members voting yes included: Denise (Committee member Denise), Gimmer, Magnardi, McKenzie, Hemmick, Woodson, Pearson, Clark and Doyle. The motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: The project team must return with final plans addressing lighting, materials, stormwater measures, public art integration, ADA circulation and the committee\fomments on reducing excessive hardscape and clarifying architectural language. Staff and the committee recommended continued public engagement prior to final review.

Ending: The Browns Island plan advances with a route toward final review but with explicit committee direction to tighten design details, reduce overly large built elements and show how the project will be maintained and operated year-round.","The Urban Design Committee gave conceptual approval to an updated Browns Island improvement plan, requiring the project team to refine lighting, stormwater, materials and accessibility details and to study ways to reduce hardscape and strengthen the site\nrchitectural character before final review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Urban Design Committee backs conceptual plans for new Woodville Elementary; requests follow-up on resiliency and details

Committee approves Reed Elementary bus-loop extension to ease morning congestion

Urban Design Committee approves updated Browns Island improvement plan with conditions