HomeRichmond Times-Dispatch, 06/29/2006
Petersburg residents plan city’s resurgence
Urban design team offers advice in effort to revitalize downtown, harbor areas
By Tiffany Hsu, Times-Dispatch Staff Writer
PETERSBURG - Can Petersburg reclaim its historical grandeur?
About 150 of the city's residents gathered in a local gallery Tuesday for a brainstorming session about how to make that happen.
Members of Downtown Petersburg Inc., which is spearheading an effort to revitalize the downtown and harbor areas, joined local residents at the Regional Art Center to discuss plans and schedules.
The group's 35-member steering committee is looking to a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team from the American Institute of Architects to guide the first moves toward a new Petersburg.
Since 1967, similar assistance teams have reviewed plans and given advice to 135 communities nationwide, including Springfield, Ill., and Buffalo, N.Y.
Petersburg's effort to re-establish its significance "has been on the table somehow for almost a century," said Mayor Annie Mickens after the meeting. "Now is the time to act. People are becoming aware. The city is experiencing a renaissance."
To pay for the assistance from the American Institute of Architects, Downtown Petersburg Inc. plans to raise $18,500 by July 15 and then match the amount by Sept. 10, said group member Rob Smith.
Although assistance team's work is mostly pro bono, the process will cost an estimated $55,380 in fees from the institute, materials and expenses from a team visit to Petersburg.
Organizers said they expect donations to come from more than just one or two primary sources.
In a call repeated throughout the meeting, Mickens urged full community support on the effort, which she said could help grow the city.
Organizers asked for attendees' input on issues ranging from the project's borders to a possible commercial water park and public library.
Participants also noted the need for a downtown focal point. Others suggested tidying the "unkempt buildings and overgrown areas" off Interstate 95 or clearing the clogged harbor strip.
Travel into the city was also debated, with mentions of a potential Petersburg train depot and ongoing federal work on a multimodal transportation center downtown.
"Gateways into the city say a lot to a visitor about what they should expect here," said architect Terry Ammons, who ran the meeting.
Residents were asked to contribute to planning efforts to highlight the area's history while reinforcing its liveliness.
"Without displacing existing neighborhoods, we'll prep people to manage future development," Ammons said.
Resident Robert Zemp said the community's involvement will give development plans a strong foundation.
"They're pulling parties together, getting bottoms-up input," Zemp said. "I feel positive about the direction this is taking, because it's the citizens' direction."
In the coming months, organizers will hold several more public meetings and will open a Downtown Petersburg Inc. office, said special projects consultant Dulaney Ward.
Assistance team representatives are expected to make a preliminary visit to the city Aug.1. Then, after studying the city again in a Nov. 2-6 visit, the team will make recommendations for development to the steering committee.
From these action items and timetables, Downtown Petersburg Inc. will begin planning concrete changes.
Contact staff writer Tiffany Hsu at thsu@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6108.
