The Future is Now
To Mayor L. Douglas Wilder , the new oversized boulder represents only a small part of the City of the Future improvements in Richmond.
But to 4-year-old Tyree Hunter , the new addition to the Westover Hills playground is the best toy in the park.
"It's fun! I like to climb it!" he says as he shimmies down the craggy front of the large play rock.
Across the city, residents have begun to see new signs springing up alongside renovations and improvements paid for with money from the City of the Future project.
On Wednesday, the mayor took a tour around the city to highlight some of the improvements, which include construction work at the Carpenter Center, road and sidewalk improvements, as well as upgrades to tennis courts and playgrounds at city parks. They're all part of the larger, $330 million plan for community improvements scheduled to be implemented over the next five years, all without raising taxes. The improvements include schools and libraries.
"This is truly a new day for the city of Richmond, as rarely does any community have the opportunity that now is before us," Wilder said.
Though some of the examples may seem small to some, Wilder said they show livability.
They also have other positive effects, such as reducing crime and eliminating spot blight. For example, Wilder said, an upgraded park will bring more families out to the area and drive away criminals from hanging out.
So far, some of the improvements include work on the Carpenter Center, which is currently under budget and on schedule, Wilder said.
The tennis courts at Byrd Park were also redone to cover the cracks and install wind screens.
More than 30 residential streets in the Woodland Heights area have seen changes in the form of slurry seal, which is cheaper than asphalt, to improve the road surface and calm traffic. The city does about a $1 million worth of slurry seal improvements per year, according to Gary DuVal , deputy director of transportation.
The work at the Westover Hills playground at the corner of Jahnke Road and Forest Hill Avenue took less than two weeks and cost $95,000, according to J.R. Pope , director of parks, recreation and community facilities.
It included new swing sets, refurbishing of some play stations, installing Astroturf-like grass, a gazebo and the large play boulder.
"They knew what it was before me," teacher Lillie Smith said. "It's their favorite part."
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