Newly created association to focus on Robinson Street in the Fan - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Improvements are coming to a popular street in the Fan, thanks to a new association created specifically for it. That group is focusing on Robinson Street, an area they say has been neglected.

If you've been around the Fan, you know Robinson Street is a main artery connecting the Downtown Expressway to Broad Street. Now this new group wants it to be known not as a cut-through, but as a destination.

There are plenty of places to visit on Robinson Street - from restaurants to a hospital to a laundromat to homes, this Fan road has it all, according to Robert Adams, president of the new association.

"If you go down to either end of the street, it becomes a little more residential... but here in the core it's mostly commercial," said Adams. "You don't really find that on any other streets."

What makes it unique, also presents challenges. Even someone like Jake Wilson, who's only lived here for two months, can notice the issues.

"I guess the lighting on the sidewalks, sometimes it can be difficult [to see]," said Wilson. "If you're driving, especially in poor weather, seeing people walking on the street, seeing pedestrians who kind of ignore the signs."

Adams says the bad weather actually illustrates some of the needed improvements. Stakeholders say the facelift and infrastructure changes were the first and easiest to agree on, but that's not all they're planning. Joint marketing campaigns among the businesses, a street festival and other events to bring people to Robinson are also on the table.

"The ultimate goal, I think, is successful businesses, homeowners and renters who are happy with what we have on the street," said Adams.

If you'd like to participate, the group meets the last Tuesday of every other month at Retreat Hospital.

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