Greening Greater Fulton

In Richmond, VA’s East End, a team of passionate partners came together to create a green street that not only improves water quality in the nearby James River, but also reduces urban heat, increases pedestrian safety, and beautifies the neighborhood.

Full Abstract: The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Groundwork RVA, along with Innovate Fulton, City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities, design firm VHB, Exact Stormwater Management, and renowned local artists Matt Lively, Tim Harper, and Hamilton Glass, planned and implemented a green street in the Greater Fulton community of Richmond, VA’s East End. Robust community engagement led to the design for a transformational green street on two blocks of Government Road that met the community’s need for increased shade, improved pedestrian safety, and neighborhood beautification. Green stormwater improvements such as rain gardens, street trees, permeable pavers, and conservation landscapes mitigate stormwater runoff on site, reducing pressure on Richmond’s existing stormwater infrastructure and improving water quality in the nearby James River. Groundwork RVA led a workforce development component of the project through their Green Apprenticeship Program, a 10 week stipend program designed to provide hands-on training to young adults that included OSHA training, first aid and CPR certification, green infrastructure certification, grounds maintenance experience, basic construction training, intro to heavy equipment operation, soft skills training, and financial management. These skills were then used to assist in the installation of street trees, rain gardens, and permeable pavement during the implementation phase of the project, as well as maintenance of these improvements once construction was complete. In addition to traditional green infrastructure improvements, a permeable public art plaza with a stormwater-friendly sculpture, three murals representing the three distinct neighborhoods of Greater Fulton, and an intersection mural painted on Government Road itself add to neighborhood beautification, honor the community’s past, and celebrate its future.