RVA Rapid Transit’s Plans for a Dignified Place to Wait in Richmond, Virginia
Today, Richmond, Virginia continues to grapple with the legacy of slavery and the Civil War. This dark chapter in Richmond’s history has had lasting impacts on the city’s social and economic fabric, perpetuating detrimental outcomes for non-white community members (Equal Justice Initiative, 2022). The focus of this collaborative project is Southside Richmond, an area historically affected by redlining, segregation, and other forms of racial discrimination. Years of over- investment in car-centric infrastructure, coupled with continuous disinvestment in Black and Brown communities, have left many neighborhoods overdue for essential sidewalk repairs, road updates, bike lanes, and public transit amenities. With support from the VWAI, RVA Rapid Transit led the charge on reenvisioning a bus stop that has been left in disrepair in one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods of Richmond.
Team
The project is led by a robust RVA Rapid Transit team, with key contributions from Stephanie Power, the Community Engagement & Programs Manager. The project is supported by the Partnership for Smarter Growth, and the New Virginia Majority. The New Virginia Majority group has been extremely helpful in bridging the gaps in engagement with English and Spanish transit riders.
Goals and Vision
- Create a pleasant and safe place for commuters to wait for transit
- Involve community members in the redesign of their bus stop
- Foster pride in public transit ridership
- Address health, accessibility, and environmental issues
- Activate community members to support positive grassroots change
Background
The City of Richmond’s racially discriminatory practices have negatively impacted Richmond’s public transportation system. Insufficient infrastructure investments have largely segregated the population of bus riders. RVA Rapid Transit’s 2023 State of Transit Report found that 64% of riders are Black or African American, 26% are White, 5% are Hispanic, and 5% are Asian. The report also revealed that 54% of bus riders have an income of $25,000 or less. In January 2024, the City of Richmond introduced the Richmond Connects Equitable Multi-Modal Transportation Plan, which identified the city’s top priorities for improving transportation. Feedback from over 24,000 public comments, primarily from residents affected by transportation issues, emphasized the need for bus stop improvements across Richmond. With financial and professional support from the Virginia Walkability Action Institute, RVA Rapid Transit, PSG Richmond and New Virginia Majority developed an Action Plan with goals to improve the Southside Plaza bus stop through both long- and short-term design interventions that integrate placemaking, health, and inclusion concepts.
Southside Plaza’s is the primary bus transfer hub in Southside Richmond, serving over 1,000 daily bus riders. The stop currently lacks lighting, trees, or greenspace, leading many users to feel unsafe. After making a pitch to the VWAI about the needs of the bust stop, the Richmond team was awarded $15,000 to execute the planning and design work for Southside Plaza. With these funds, the Richmond team hired Timmons consulting to provide placemaking suggestions that enhance pedestrian and rider safety. They also worked with a local artist, Alfonso Perez, to create the mural draft ideas and paint the design decided on by the community. To further engage the community, the installation of the mural will coincide with Community Days, in partnership with Art 180, to allow residents, riders, and local leaders to connect and participate in the revitalization of Southside Plaza.
Outcomes and Impact
- A $15,000 funding match from the City of Richmond, which will go towards implementing the Rebirth of Southside Plaza
- A landmark stakeholder meeting connecting people who had not spoken since the 1970s, involving the Greater Richmond Transit Company, the City of Richmond, and Saul Centers—a real estate investment trust
- Strengthened institutional partnerships for future collaborations
- The Department of Public Works has committed to improving the bus stop’s infrastructure, including new lights, bus shelters, and trash cans
- Building of collective power and advocacy among residents
- Bridging the gap between Spanish and non-Spanish speaking riders
Sources:
Equal Justice Initiative, “The Transatlantic Slave Trade” (2022).