RICHMOND, Va. – One of Richmond’s most popular neighborhoods, Scott’s Addition, will soon add some much-needed green to the industrial landscape.
The Scott’s Addition Boulevard Association (SABA) was recently awarded a $20,000 grant that will go toward the Community Tree Planting Project, which is focused on enhancing the tree canopy and water quality in the up and coming community.
Just under 100 trees will be planted.
The Alliance, with funding from Altria and the Department of Forestry’s “Trees for Clean Water” program, has awarded 10 grants throughout the Richmond region, which will see over 900 trees planted total, according to Nissa Dean, the Alliance’s Virginia Director.
Some of the projects funded include Capital Trees and Scenic Virginia, which received $20,000 for the tree corridor along the Low Line project, and $8,000 went to James River Park for native tree plantings.
Grant money from the Richmond Tree Stewards will also provide 10 trees for Scott’s Addition. Each tree costs $275, which includes the labor, tree and gator bag.
“They are needed from a stormwater perspective, beatification perspective, and healthier living,” said Roger Bouchard, SABA President. The association will be responsible for the watering and care of the trees.
Bouchard said the association had been working on obtaining grant money for some time, and that project funding was doubled because “it was the first time anyone in Scott’s Addition had tried to get grant money,” and “they liked our project.”
The city has identified 540 planting spots that could use trees, according to Bouchard. The initial planting will target the main thoroughfares of the neighborhood, with plantings along Summit Avenue, down Norfolk Street and along Roseneath Avenue.
Bouchard said the association will coordinate with the public to assist with preparations for the tree planting, which should all be done by the end of November.
The green will certainly benefit the largely commercial and industrial section of Scott’s Addition. Growth in the neighborhood has exploded in the past two years. Multiple businesses have opened shop and many older buildings have been converted into lofts, in addition to new residential construction.
The development has been aided by historic tax credit incentives, as well as the appeal of a convenient central location. The neighborhood was officially bounded on the south by Broad Street, on the east by The Boulevard, on the north by the railroad tracks and on the west by I-195.
The fact that part of it is tucked away, the historic designation part of the neighborhood at least, contributes to the cozy neighborhood vibe. It isn’t really a place one travels through to get to other places.
However, as the area began to flourish, the former Scott’s Addition Business Association changed their name to reflect the expansion of boundaries to include sections east of Boulevard, as far north as Westwood, and just south of Broad Street.
