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

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.