Brown’s Island to close for redevelopment in November

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, Assistant News Editor

Brown’s Island is undergoing renovations starting this November that will close the space to the public for about a year to add new infrastructure and fulfill a city proposal from over a decade ago.

The park, which serves as both a recreational area for residents and a venue for concerts and festivals, will receive permanent restrooms as well as new landscaping and accessibility measures, according to Venture Richmond, the non-profit in charge of the redevelopment. 

Brown’s Island will be divided into seven distinct sections — a “front porch” section right after its main bridge to Tredegar Street, three event-focused sections on the core of the island and three on the area’s periphery with denser flora and walking paths. The new spaces will make way for art installations and shaded seating. 

Venture was tasked with implementing and elaborating on a proposal from Richmond’s Riverfront Plan, which was first laid out in 2012. It included improvements to Mayo and Chapel Islands, Belle Isle, Shockoe and Ancarrow’s Landings and the rest of the James River Park System under city jurisdiction. 

However, it took until 2024 for the city to commit a total of $15 million to the Brown’s Island project, which is projected to cost $30 million. Venture will cover the remainder of the cost through private funding. 

One element of the Riverfront Plan was replacing the decking, seating, lighting and bridge railings of the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge — which is credited with increasing island visits to over 500,000 people annually, according to Venture. 

Carla Murray, the marketing director for VisitRichmondVA.com, noted her organization’s enthusiasm for the improvements. Visit Richmond will promote the region’s other attractions during the closure, such as the Capital Trail and Pocahontas State Park. 

“We also still have plenty of event spaces, and I know that Sports Backers is working on a different footprint for next year’s River Rock festival to accommodate the Brown’s Island project,” Murray said. 

River Rock, a yearly sports and music festival typically hosted on Brown’s Island, was attended by over 100,000 people in May.

Sports Backers spokesperson Nan Callahan said organizers are still evaluating which nearby spaces they will use while Brown’s Island is closed for repairs, and are ultimately excited for the changes. 

“I think anything that’s gonna promote the outdoors and the great active living that we have here, and make that more accessible and enjoyable for people in Richmond is huge, and a huge benefit to our area,” Callahan said. 

The island regularly hosts events and concerts, but is also a popular destination for walking, biking and launching kayaks and paddleboards. 

Resident Brittany Winston visits Brown’s Island to walk and connect with nature. She said she might visit Pocahontas State Park as an alternative during the closure. She does not see an imminent need for the renovations, but welcomes them nonetheless — and gave one suggestion for an improvement in the area.

“We need more trash cans,” Winston said. “We came all the way from the Capital Trail, I haven’t seen any trash cans. There’s nowhere to discard waste, there’s a lot of polluted spots.” 

Fellow parkgoer and resident Laurie McGeever agrees that other areas of the riverfront could benefit from changes.

“I’d love to see more done with the Canal Walk,” McGeever said. “Expand that a little more somehow, maybe out into the James and make it more exciting.”

McGeever added that she will welcome the new permanent bathrooms at Brown’s island, as the only option for restrooms during events is port-a-pottys with long lines.

“Probably the bathrooms, that would be nice — to have those permanent facilities,” McGeever said.