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Va. (WWBT) – A proposal in Henrico County could reshape Lakeside Avenue, including reducing the road from four lanes to one in each direction
It’s something that’s drawing mixed reactions from local business owners and pedestrians
The proposal is part of Henrico’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan and is described by county officials as a long-term guide — not a mandate for immediate construction
The Lakeside Avenue Corridor Study includes a road diet to create space for more bike paths and a more walkable corridor connecting Bryan Park and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
County officials have described the vision as a potential “Garden District.”
Henrico Planning Director Joe Emerson said the study grew from community input gathered during a week-long workshop held last summer
“There’s been a lot of interest in Lakeside over the years. There’s been a lot of local investment. Obviously, the residents in this area are very passionate about their community,” Emerson said
More than 300 residents participated in that process last summer, he said
Some local business owners say the proposed lane reduction could hurt their operations
Don Bottoms, who has owned Vintage Glass and Pottery in Lakeside for 19 years, said the change would directly threaten his business
“If they were to close two lanes, I feel that the traffic would back up to the point where it wouldn’t be
Sarabeth Hagen, owner of SB’s Lakeside Love Shack, said she is not opposed to safer walking and biking but wants more clarity on the details
“It’s all small mom and pop shops looking out for each other. Your neighbors wave to you. You know, everybody knows what dog belongs to who, which kid goes where. It’s safe,” Hagen said
Hagen said she wants county officials to prioritize input from those already in the community
“Lakeside is the best side, and I really do want to keep it this way. Like I said, change can be very good. We have to grow, but I think that they should definitely listen to the residents that are here and the businesses that are here,” she said
Visitors to the area expressed support for the proposed changes
“I think that would be very worthwhile,” said Bob Anderson, a former Lakeside resident for 25 years, now back visiting
Ella Cann, another visitor, said improved parking access would be welcome. “I’m definitely a fan for that. It would be nice not to have to look for parking for 20 minutes when I come over here,” she said
Maya Debrunner, who volunteers at Lewis Ginter, said connectivity matters most. “Keep the neighborhood together. I think that’s important,” she said
Emerson stressed that any changes to Lakeside Avenue itself would ultimately be decided by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), not the county
“We might come in and do some pathways, and things such as the connections to the Fall Line Trail, but beyond that, the larger road belongs to VDOT. So any type of activity on that really is going to be up to them, and they have a whole separate process that goes through,” Emerson said
He added that the plan does not set a construction timeline and that changes would be driven largely by private redevelopment
“The changes will very much be driven by the private investment of the business community and others in the area,” Emerson said
Residents who want to weigh in can attend Tuesday’s Henrico Board of Supervisors meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the county administration building
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