Byrd Park’s Fountain Lake is getting spruced up

Richmond is giving Byrd Park's Fountain Lake a makeover.

Construction started recently on a concession building that will replace the park's "old tin Pepsi stand" and provide, for the first time, public restrooms, said John R. Pope Jr., director of the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

The $407,000 project is expected to be finished in mid-July. Brooks & Co. of Richmond is the contractor.

The concession building will resemble the park's six-sided Round House, with a brick exterior and white columns supporting its overhang, Pope said.

It also will feature a cupola for aesthetics and improved ventilation, which could make air-conditioning unnecessary, he said. Other design features include skylights and waterless urinals.

Pope said he has wanted a new concession building for the park since he interviewed for his job in 2005. The park's pedal boats also will be operated from the building.

"Once the building is complete, the contractor will replace the cobblestones that were taken out prior to construction in order to make the area look as it did prior to construction, with an oval cobblestone walkway," Pope said in an e-mail.

The city is planning a grand opening for July that also will kick off a Wednesday night family movie series.

Longer term, plans for the park include adding tables with umbrellas and wireless Internet, as well as more lighted fountains to make the lake more attractive and to combat the summer algae problem, Pope said.

The changes "will serve as enhancements to bring people to the park and use the facility," he said.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .