Tree at Walker site to be removed this weekend
Jeremy M. Lazarus | 9/15/2016, 11:43 p.m.
The live oak tree that has dominated a gateway to Jackson
Ward for nearly 30 years will be coming down this weekend
to make way for a new statue and plaza honoring Richmond
business leader Maggie L. Walker.
The work is to begin Saturday, Sept. 17, and will result in
street closures through Tuesday, Sept. 20, around the site at West
Broad Street, Adams Street and Brook Road in Downtown, the
city Department of Public Works has announced.
The closings will include Brook Road between Broad and
Adams streets; the northbound lane of Adams Street between
Broad Street and Brook Road; and the right lane of westbound
Broad Street between Brook Road and Adams Street, the department
stated in a Tuesday release.
Along with removing the tree, the work will involve removing
much of the existing plaza where the tree has stood since 1989.
This is the first step in the redevelopment of the site to prepare
for construction of the plaza and the installation of the statue of
Mrs. Walker, best known as the first African-American woman
in the nation to found and run a bank.
The city plans to invest nearly $1 million in the development.
