198 replies to this topic

[wrldcoupe4]

Dredging of Appomattox will help Revitalize Petersburg

Quote

Historically, the City's harbor served as the focal point for a tremendous level of activity in the City. Unfortunately, due to various factors, the harbor is no longer accessible to the downstream navigable portions of the River. This is poised to change, however, for the better and with potentially dramatic positive results for the City, as the City seeks to restore the harbor and make it once more a focal point of the City and its historic downtown. Restoration of the City's harbor will serve as a catalyst for downtown revitalization, enhance opportunities for historic preservation, and restore the City's waterfront to a vibrancy not seen for half a century.

[wrldcoupe4]

Richmond Magazine had a special insert, "South of the James," which highlighted Petersburg's comeback. It noted the problems and recent good news down there, in regards to revitalization. Great article. Can't find it online though...

it was called:

"Great Expectations: Artists, dreamers revive Petersburg"

second thought... IT could have been called City in Transition as well... the point is that it was a good story!

[wrldcoupe4]

Thought you'd like to see this article burt, it talks about the Sycamore Rouge in Petersburg, located in the Old Towne area....

Sycamore Rouge Revealed!

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Mar 10 2006, 03:46 PM, said:

Thought you'd like to see this article burt, it talks about the Sycamore Rouge in Petersburg, located in the Old Towne area....

Sycamore Rouge Revealed!

Yes.  I liked that Coup.  It and WABI SABI are bringing some much needed attention to Petersburg.  

I want you to drive down there and take some pictures - exteriors and interiors - of SYCAMORE ROUGE as well as WABI SABI and the Arts Center on Sycamore Street that was formerly known as Shockoe Art Gallery in American Tobacco at 21st and Main in Richmond.

Also drive along High Street and look at the wonderful restored homes - many Ante Bellum.   You'll find it an eye-opening experience!   Stop in the Information Center next to the old Market for brochures and maps.

Edited by burt, 10 March 2006 - 06:00 PM.

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Jan 19 2006, 06:50 PM, said:

Richmond Magazine had a special insert, "South of the James," which highlighted Petersburg's comeback. It noted the problems and recent good news down there, in regards to revitalization. Great article. Can't find it online though...

it was called:

"Great Expectations: Artists, dreamers revive Petersburg"

second thought... IT could have been called City in Transition as well... the point is that it was a good story!

I used to subscribe to Richmond Magazine for myself and three friends.  But when I complained about delay in receiving my copy when I knew that others were receiving theirs in a timely fashion, I got such rude treatment from a woman there that I cancelled all four subscriptions.  I can stand a lot of things, but rudeness is not one of them.

Edited by burt, 10 March 2006 - 06:08 PM.

[wrldcoupe4]

Burt... I think I might just make a trip to Petersburg over spring break to check out old towne... pictures included!

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Mar 11 2006, 08:53 AM, said:

Burt... I think I might just make a trip to Petersburg over spring break to check out old towne... pictures included!

Good, coupe.  I mean it's not like going to the Moon - only 25 miles.    I think you'll be surprised by what you find.  May as well tool by Hopewell, too.

[JWCJ]

I was watching news, and they said somingthing was coming to Colonial Heights, what was that exactly?

[wrldcoupe4]

'Petersburg IS Happening'

Quote

The Petersburg area is making a comeback, this time for real.

With a major military employer next door more than doubling its personnel, the area will see major new development.

That's on top of impressive gains made during the past year.

"Petersburg is happening," said developer Robin Miller. "I think it's going to explode."

I really think Petersburg has great potential. There's a good historic core than just needs some TLC. With 8200 military personnel coming to the Tricities area in 2008, it could be a real boon to the area. Robin Miller does some nice projects... it's nice to see him there.

[urbanvb]

This is great news. Some exciting days are surely ahead for Petersburg.

[Cadeho]

SO what would Petersburg's identity be?  It does get kind of lost in Richmond's shadow.   Would it be an improvement to get a more modern skyline or is it good as it is?  I know I'm ignoring the little places.

[rhg247]

Cadeho, on Apr 30 2006, 03:42 PM, said:

SO what would Petersburg's identity be?  It does get kind of lost in Richmond's shadow.   Would it be an improvement to get a more modern skyline or is it good as it is?  I know I'm ignoring the little places.

Petersburg's identity should be civil war everything, but b/c of mismanagement and political bickering for decades it's identity is currently "that place you go only when the sun is up".  Now, of course, that's not true for the entire city, as there are jewels of neighborhoods there like sycamore st.  But by and large that's the perception that people have of it.

Only very very recently has anything good been happening downtown.  The new restaurants are somewhat sophisticated and are luring more and more people from colonial heights (where I grew up).  If anyone ever wants a vision of what downtown petersburg should / could be go hang out at cockade alley right over the appomattox bridge.  There's a delightful restaurant hidden in there calld Brickhouse Run.  The owners actually got sledgehammers and tore up the asphalt (with the city's approval of course)  to reveal the beautiful cobblestones underneath.  But why?  Why did they have to do it?  Why won't the city of petersburg cash in on all of its history?  It frustrates me to see such a historic and (could be) beautiful town sit and fester.

[urbanvb]

Welcome to the forum, rhg247. Great having you here.

[urbanvb]

If anyone has any pictures of Petersburg feel free to post them here.

[burt]

P/burg truly is coming into its own, rhq247.  Brickhouse is not the only new restaurant in and around Old Town.  Wabi Sabi is another, and there is still another whose name, at the moment, I cannot remember.

And guess what?  Sycamore Rouge (what a great name! ), the new club/cafe/theatre on Old Street is about ready to open a Burlesque show!  That's right: songs, skits, fan dancer and the works.  It will run thru October; can't wait to see it.

Edited by burt, 13 July 2006 - 09:37 AM.

[burt]

urbanvb, on Jul 13 2006, 09:41 AM, said:

If anyone has any pictures of Petersburg feel free to post them here.

Guy, Ryan Ramsey at Richmondcitywatch.com has some super pictures of Sycamore Street in Petersburg.  Look for Petersburg somewhere in the scrolling column on left side of home pag.

[burt]

Sorry, folks.  Ryan's Petersburg pictures at RCW are not responding.  I hope this is a temporary situation.

[wrldcoupe4]

it's messed up from when the site was hacked a while back. He's trying to correct the problem.

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Jul 13 2006, 01:01 PM, said:

it's messed up from when the site was hacked a while back. He's trying to correct the problem.

I hope it gets fixed.  At one time, there was an album (not those numbered pictures of specific buildings) of Sycamore Street.  I hope that is restored.

[Cadeho]

rhg247 welcome.  And when it comes to cobblestones.. we need to uncover them or put them back them in all historic areas.   I don't think of Petersburg as being dangerous, I do hear it is one reason our area is the STD capital of Virginia.   So in a way, what you're saying is that Petersburg should be more like Fredericksburg?   That'd be neat.  Oh and I also liked watching College Hill at VSU  this year.  They had many shots from Petersburg as well as Richmond in the show.