2018 was a busy year for planning new projects, infrastructure, and construction throughout Manchester. 2019’s developments are mostly set in motion already from the work of the preceding years, as there is now a solid foundation on which to build. But there are a few wildcards that could shake things up. Here is our list of the top 3 initiatives that will shape Manchester’s 2019, as well as a list of the top 3 wildcards that have huge potential but lack tangible plans or certainty.

3 Top Initiatives that Will Impact Manchester in 2019

1. Residential Development Explosion: There are so many projects underway that it is hard to keep track of them all. Here is a list of some of the major projects:

• Duplexes for the Manchester Green development on the block bounded by 12th/13th/Bainbridge/Porter
• 9 Apartments at River Row 1406 Bainbridge by JR Smith
• 33 new Manchester Park Apartments on the block of 12th/13th/Porter/McDonough by Ben Adamson & Charles Macfarlane
• A yet to be named apartment development at 1510 Bainbridge by Ben Adamson
• 19 Cohousing Condos at 901 Porter by Robin Miller and Dan Gecker
• 41+ apartments at the former Muse Buick by Monument Cos
• Brickhaus Partners yet to be named development at 700 Cowardin
• 27 Eagle Construction townhomes at 401 W Seventh
• 96 New RRHA Houses in Blackwell
• 289 Units at 1400 Railroad Road by LIV Development
• 161 apartments at City View Marketplace by Thalhimer Realty Partners
• 188 apartments at PortRVA’s newly proposed 12 story tower
• 214 apartments at The Current by Lynx Ventures
• 481 Apartment units at South Falls
• 290 apartment units at Port City by Tom Wilkinson
• 500+ apartments planned for Model Tobacco by C.A. Harrison Cos.

2. New Historic Districts to Spur Renovation: New Historic Districts will bring badly needed renovation to historic homes and buildings throughout Manchester, Blackwell, & Swansboro. These newly created and expanded Historic Districts are recognized both at the state and federal level, thereby making historic tax credits available for the renovation of qualifying old buildings. Expect to hear a lot of hammers and saws in 2019.

3. New Businesses on Hull Street: Hot Diggity Donuts, Pig & Brew, The Butterbean Market & Cafe are already open. Dogtown Brewing Co is set to open in 2019 and Chris Chase Studio is set to move to Hull Street from Scott’s Addition. Manastoh Brewing and the renovation of the Lighthouse Diner are in planning. All of this was made possible by the Rezoning of the Hull Street Business District in 2018.

3 Wildcards With Huge Potential, But Lack of Certainty

1. Grocery Store: If there is one thing Manchester can agree upon, it is that everyone wants a grocery store. But all the major grocers have stated lack of density and low average income levels as reasons to take a pass on locating a grocery store in Manchester. However, with all the new market rate development coming online, and the new residents it will inevitably bring, will 2019 finally be the year that Manchester gets its grocery store?

2. The Loop & Riverfront Plan: With the overwhelming success of the T-Pot Bridge and the insatiable desire for Richmond’s residents and visitors alike to have river access, the completion of a walking/biking loop would seem to be a no brainer. If implemented as we have proposed, it could also be done inexpensively. However, for whatever reason, the City seems to be focused on Coliseum development plans and other priorities. That’s too bad. An inexpensive trail loop would showcase our biggest asset-The James River-and could have incalculable benefits for the city’s cool factor with very little in the form of expense.

3. B-3 Rezoning of Cowardin Ave/Hull Street: The rezoning of Hull Street’s business district between Commerce and Cowardin Ave has already had an enormous impact on spurring re-development of the blighted corridor. The B-3 zoning of Hull Street west of Cowardin as well as Cowardin Ave/Jeff Davis Highway also needs to be changed. The B-3 zoning currently prevents density and fosters dime-a-dozen dollar stores with massive setbacks, street facing parking lots, and drain fields. This B-3 zoning needs to be scrapped and replaced with TOD-1, transit oriented nodal district zoning as is being adopted in other heavy travelled areas of the city. The City planners seem to agree, but they are extremely busy. So the timeframe and certainty for the change is somewhat unknown.

Regardless of how you feel about all the projects above, big change will be sweeping through Manchester in 2019 and beyond. That is, so long as the economy cooperates.

Here’s to hoping for the best in 2019. Happy New Year!