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April 7, 2008
View Lakeside Avenue revitalization plan
A plan developed by students in VCU’s Department of Urban Planning is not an official look at the future of Lakeside Avenue, but it does present a comprehensive look at some ways the North Richmond commercial district might grow and flourish. A PDF copy of the plan is available at the Discover Lakeside website.
Among the topics explored in the plan — residents opinions on shopping, dining and entertainment options along Lakeside Avenue:
Shoppers were interviewed at The Hub, 7-11, Roy’s Big Burger, Feathernesters, Consignment Connection, and Rite Aid over a period of two weeks in September 2007.
Nearly 60% of those surveyed shop on Lakeside Avenue either weekly or monthly. Just over a third of the respondents (35%) said they seldom shop on Lakeside Avenue. Most participants rated shopping in the district as either good or average, (31% and 32%, respectively); very few respondents rated the shopping as poor (5%). However, a majority of those surveyed expressed lukewarm feelings
about specific retail characteristics of the corridor.Participants had several opportunities to answer open-ended questions regarding their likes and dislikes of the corridor. Many of the shoppers expressed concern that there is simply nothing to do for entertainment. Some respondents went into detail, explaining the need for clusters of restaurants and other forms of entertainment. Expounding on this theme, many participants considered the restaurants (or lack thereof) as one of the weakest aspects of the corridor.
The 60-plus page report is thick with demographics, survey data, opinions of residents, visitors and property owners — and plenty of specific recommendations for improving the Lakeside corridor.
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