Revitalization of state Route 36 corridor between Petersburg, Fort Lee is sought

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PETERSBURG -- A rundown portion of state Route 36 connecting the city with Fort Lee could be the next area up for revitalization.

City leaders and residents yesterday discussed a recent study that found the corridor's location is potentially attractive for redevelopment and recommends mixed-used development that would complement continuing growth and expansion at Fort Lee.

The study makes recommendations for revitalizing a stretch of less than a mile of Route 36, from the Petersburg National Battlefield to Bank Street.

The corridor has seen slowing growth over the years and has become a visually unattractive area, according to the study.

The report, prepared by the Virginia Tech Urban Development Project Review Studio, recommends:

• the city adopt architectural and landscape design guidelines for infill development to improve appeal and realize the community's vision for the corridor;

• the city update the zoning code;

• consideration of an aggressive approach of acquiring and assembling lots for redevelopment;

• rezoning to allow multifamily housing; and

• establishing a Community Development Authority to provide public infrastructure.

"While there are some things that we can do that won't require a lot of money, like working on zoning changes . . . the longer term will require a lot of private investment," said Marion Werkheiser, executive director of The Phoenix Project, a group that with the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce created the Route 36 Task Force.

Several properties along the stretch are privately owned, and acquiring the properties for redevelopment could be the biggest challenge, she said during the discussion of the report at Union Train Station.

Several elected officials at the presentation said they would support the initiative and called the need for revitalization in the area a priority.

The task force plans to present the report to the city's Planning Commission in September.

Joseph Battiston, chairman of the task force, said there is wide interest from developers, including some national chains, in the area, particularly because of opportunities for business coming from the base's expansion.

Fort Lee's population is expected to nearly double between 2005 and 2011.

Victoria Revilla, president of the Southside Chapter of the Military Officers Association, yesterday encouraged the city to move quickly with the recommendations and make the revitalization a priority.

"If we can improve the corridor for people coming from Fort Lee, they can see that there is something beyond the gate," she said. Now, she said, "as soon as you get down the block . . . it is not a very attractive view.

"Having a beautiful boulevard would be a welcoming sign for soldiers and people coming to Petersburg."

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .