Asphalt gives way to old cobblestones

RICHMOND, Va. -- Chunks of Richmond's history are being unearthed on East Cary Street.

Yesterday afternoon, volunteers began lifting sections of asphalt in front of the Lucky Strike building at the end of Tobacco Row, revealing granite cobblestones underneath.

The project, a partnership of the city of Richmond, the developers of the Lucky Strike property, various neighborhood associations and other civic groups, will restore cobblestones on about 300 feet of Cary Street ending at Pear Street.

"It adds character to downtown Richmond," said David Napier, president of the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association.

City officials, including Mayor Dwight C. Jones and City Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille, donned hard hats, grabbed pickaxes and pry bars, and attacked the edge of the asphalt, which had been scored with saws. Sections came up in foot-long chunks, then were gathered in a pile and removed by a small bulldozer.

Officials estimated that the granite stones underneath were more than a century old.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful for all our historic neighborhoods to have these beautiful cobblestone pavers?" Jones asked a small crowd before being presented with a gold pry bar.

Volunteers will continue working today.

Charles Macfarlane, one of the developers, said the partnership had raised $4,000 of perhaps $10,000 needed, and some of the neighborhood associations and property owners would donate the rest. City Public Works Director Dexter White estimated that if the project had no volunteers, it could cost about $40,000 for the same result.

Macfarlane said the restored street will be more pedestrian-friendly, slow down vehicle traffic and require less maintenance than asphalt.

"This is something the city should do because it's a significant asset," he said. "It's especially appropriate in a historic district."

Napier said he hoped other property owners would join the effort to connect the Cary Street cobblestone section near the Lucky Strike smokestack to the commercial side of Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip.

"As soon as the city can help us out," he said, "we'll keep mustering volunteers."

Contact Chris I. Young at (804) 649-6754 or .