Commission approves Richmond Connects asphalt mural at Mechanicsville and Brouwer’s; students participated in design
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Summary
The commission approved a lighter, quicker, cheaper asphalt mural and curb extensions at the Mechanicsville/Brouwer’s intersection, featuring artwork from Franklin Military Academy students and a traffic-staff-installed curb/quick-curb treatment and flexible posts.
The Planning Commission approved a Richmond Connects lighter/quick/cheaper asphalt art installation at Mechanicsville Turnpike and Brouwer’s Lane that pairs temporary curb extensions and flexible delineators with a student-created roadway mural.
The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility staff presented the project; Anna Von Harper and Kelly Rowan described the short-term, low-cost intervention intended to improve pedestrian safety near school routes and to pilot design ideas before permanent infrastructure investments. The design incorporates artwork created by students at Franklin Military Academy and will be installed on freshly marked curb extensions. The installed quick-build curb extensions and flexible posts (the latter already placed by Public Works) are intended to shorten crossing distances and visually reinforce the pedestrian zone.
At the public hearing, Cindy Pulido, adolescent health coordinator at the Richmond City Health Department, spoke in favor and urged the commission to adopt the ordinance. "Big tobacco targets youth every day," Pulido told commissioners, urging measures that reduce youth exposure to tobacco and vaping retailers near schools.
During the hearing commissioners asked about coordination with Public Works and utilities; staff said the curb extensions and posts were reviewed through standard right-of-way processes and that the artwork is temporary and can be reinstalled if utilities or future resurfacing require changes. The commission voted to approve the installation; the motion included explicit mention of the flexible posts.
What’s next: Staff will coordinate final installation and schedule post-installation observations to evaluate effects on driver yielding and pedestrian safety, and will return with findings to inform longer-term street design decisions.
Speakers quoted in this article are recorded in the commission transcript and are listed in the article’s speaker section.
