Manchester is getting some throwback industrial lights. The City installed the first light on Hull Street last week, with more to come.

Per the City of Richmond, “The purpose of the Manchester light project is to design and install new roadway and pedestrian light fixtures that reflect the character of Industrial Manchester.” The background on the project explains that “Street lighting and security have been a concern of residents and business for many years. Some streets are well lit, e.g., Hull St, but others appear to be very dark, especially the more narrow east-west streets (4th St., 6th St., and 7th Street). Safe sidewalk lighting is an issue throughout the neighborhood.”

The city did research on old lights found in Manchester and Richmond from the latter part of the 19th Century to mid 20th Century in order to gain inspiration. The photographs below are of the one light installation that has taken place so far, as well as the historical images that provided the “jumping off point.”

The first phase of the light installation is to focus on Industrial Manchester with possible expansion into the adjoining areas as shown on the map below. Huge thanks are in order to the Mayor’s office, the Urban Design Committee, and Mark Olinger who is the Director of the City of Richmond’s Department of Planning & Development Review for making this project happen!