Neighbors push for study of five-point intersection near Diamond as potential ‘community hub’

A complicated five-way intersection just north of the Diamond could get special attention from city planners as Richmond moves toward a five-year review of its master plan. 

“It’s a very important place where the rising commercial and really urban piece that’s in Scott’s Addition then comes into what’s a series of neighborhoods,” the Rev. Ben Campbell, a resident of Sherwood Park, told a City Council committee Tuesday. “So we really do need a comprehensive look at it.” 

The area that neighbors are asking the city to study centers on the intersection of Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Westwood Avenue and Brookland Parkway near a major interchange of Interstates 95 and 64. Already a chokepoint for traffic during rush hours, the location is likely to see additional pressure from both traffic and development as the Diamond District is built out and the Fall Line Trail is extended down Hermitage Road onto Arthur Ashe.

Further complicating matters are proposals being considered by the Virginia Department of Transportation to close Exit 80 on Interstate 95 — a move that could route more traffic to the Arthur Ashe interchange — and to replace an existing traffic light at the interstate ramps with a traffic circle.

“This is a gateway to a number of communities,” said City Councilor Kenya Gibson, whose 3rd District includes the area. “It’s a highly important intersection, and we want to make sure there’s intention around it.” 

The effort is being driven by three groups — the Sherwood Park Civic Association, Rosedale Civic Association and Laburnum Park district of the Ginter Park Residents Association — that have asked not only for the study but for the area to be designated as a “neighborhood node.” 

The city’s master plan, Richmond 300, envisions neighborhood nodes as “local crossroads” that adjoin residential areas and act as hubs for commercial and community activity. 

Designating the area as a node would lead to more targeted land use, transportation and economic development planning for the intersection and its surroundings. Neighbors say that could help ensure future growth happens in a more coordinated fashion rather than as a result of one-off proposals. 

“We don’t want to be reactive to a developer who has an idea,” said Chris Banks of the Sherwood Park Civic Association. “We want to be proactive.” 

There are currently more than two dozen neighborhood nodes in Richmond, including the areas around the intersection of 25th Street and Nine Mile Road in the East End, Six Points in Highland Park, Carytown and the intersection of Hull Street and Chippenham Road in Southside. Earlier this year, the city began working on a plan for a new neighborhood node in the communities around Semmes and Cowardin avenues and Hull Street. 

To move the plans forward, City Council will have to pass a resolution directing the Planning Commission and city officials to draw up an amendment to the master plan. 

That measure has met little opposition so far. Richmond Planning Director Kevin Vonck said his department supports the idea, and the resolution easily cleared Council’s Land Use, Transportation and Housing Committee Tuesday.

Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at svogelsong@richmonder.org