Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Historic Richmond Foundation Co-Hosts Forum on 8th and 9th Street Office Complex

(Richmond, Va. April 12, 2007) Historic Richmond Foundation was proud to co-sponsor a forum on the plans for the 8^th and 9^th Street State Office Complex with Venture Richmond and the Virginia Center for Architecture on April 11, 2007 at the SunTrust Building in Richmond.  The event, attended by just over 100 people, was the first public presentation on the topic.

The panel included Virginia Department of General Services Director Richard Sliwoski; Virginia Department of Historic Resources Director Kathleen Kilpatrick; City of Richmond Community Development Director Rachel Flynn; project architect with Commonwealth Architects, Robert Mills; and project architect with Perkins + Will, William H. Hendrix. The presenters addressed the details of the state’s needs and plans for the Capitol Square area, the character of the historic resources of the area, the urban context and the interface between users and the broader community, and the specifics of the renovation and new construction designs.

Other presentation highlights included an announcement from DGS Director Sliwoski that Bank Street would reopen for two way traffic by May 2007 and an announcement from DHR Director Kilpatrick that the Commonwealth has begun the process for the Virginia State Capitol to be studied for a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The panelists answered questions from the floor and were available in the reception area following the forum to discuss particulars on presentation boards illustrating the designs by Commonwealth and Perkins + Will.

One key point of the discussion was the funding gap that exists to pay for the construction of the planned new building and the need to have the funds appropriated.  HRF was pleased with the public attendance and the responsiveness of the state and city officials present.  More information regarding the project, including the 2005 Hillier report co-funded by HRF, is available on the DGS website at http://dgs.virginia.gov/CapSquare/8th9thStBldg/CS8_9StreetBldg.htm.

About Historic Richmond Foundation:

Founded in 1935, Historic Richmond Foundation is the largest and oldest non- profit organization devoted to preserving the historic assets that define the unique character of the Richmond area. The agency has been instrumental in saving hundreds of historic structures, was a leader in the designation of the city’s first historic district (St. John’s) in Church Hill, and helped establish the city’s Commission of Architectural Review a half century ago. From its earliest efforts to save the Adam Craig house, HRF has pioneered the concept of adaptive reuse of old buildings. It maintains a special Revolving Fund to purchase, renovate and resell historic properties and publishes books about the city’s distinctive architecture. Historic Richmond is a proud affiliate of APVA Preservation Virginia, the nation’s oldest statewide preservation organization.

Past Press Releases:

• 04/12/07--Historic Richmond Foundation Co-Hosts Forum on 8th and 9th Street Office Complex
• 10/12/06--Historic Richmond Foundation Opposes Echo Harbor Development Plan
• 09/01/06--National Theater Sold to RIC Capital Ventures, Will Become Downtown Music Venue
• 07/02/06--Historic Richmond Foundation Names Director of Preservation Services
• 05/13/06--Historic Richmond Foundation Responds to General Assembly Decision to Demolish Old Murphy Hotel
• 04/20/06--Historic Richmond Foundation Receives Oakley Certificate of Merit for Replicated Monument
• 03/8/06--Historic Richmond Foundation Closes on Patteson-Schutte House
• 11/30/05--Historic Richmond Foundation Names New Director
• 07/6/05--Historic Richmond Foundation and The William Byrd Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities Announce Merger
• 01/30/05--HRF's Quoit Club presents the second annual Art of Richmond Silent Auction to benefit Historic Richmond Foundation.
• 8/24/04--HRF seeking 25 local artists to create picture frames out of historic building material for silent auction fundraiser
• 1/2004--Historic Richmond Foundation to host second annual Shirley Polo Cup sponsored by McGeorge Mercedes-Benz
• 11/10/03--Historic Richmond Foundation focuses preservation efforts north of Broad St. in Church Hill with latest project
• 11/2/03--Court End Christmas set for December 14th
• 10/29/03--Local Artists Create Picture Frames out of Historic Building Materials for new Silent Auction fundraiser
• 9/12/03--Dominion on board as title sponsor of Main Street Station Gala on October 18th
• 5/14/03--Historic Richmond Foundation announces Preservation Hunt to promote new fundraiser, the first Shirley Polo Cup, sponsored by McGeorge Mercedes Benz
• 5/7/03--HRF announces new "Preservation's Silent Partner Awards" at
  our Annual Preservation Week Reception on May 7th
• 4/27/03--Historic Richmond Foundation aids sale of key Monument Ave. historic properties
• 4/23/03--Historic dismantling of Monument at Monumental Church for future preservation
• 4/23/03--Elmira Gate found thanks to community response to HRF coverage
• 4/14/03--Direct Dimensions release on technology used on Monumental Church urn restoration