Mayo Island is now part of the James River Park.

The city announced on Jan. 5 the completion of the $15 million purchase of the large James River island from the Shaia family.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced last spring the plan to purchase the 14.5-acre Downtown island that was once home to a Richmond minor league baseball team.

Plans call for the future demolition of the existing buildings that sit adjacent to the 14th Street Bridge along with the restoration of the the island to its natural state.

A portion of that work could remain on hold during the construction of a replacement bridge, expected to start this year. The upper portion of the island is anticipated to serve as a staging area for vehicles and materials.

The city used funds from its storm water utility to cover the purchase, with $7.5 million to be reimbursed from a grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The purchase of the island, described as the “green jewel” of the Downtown riverfront in a city planning document, has been on the city’s wish list for decades as part of its goal to secure public control of the river’s shoreline and islands, particularly in the Downtown area.

While it went unmentioned in the city announcement, the road to the purchase was paved by the Capital Region Land Conservancy led by former City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto.

Mr. Agelasto reached an agreement with the Shaia family in December 2022 for the CRLC to purchase the island that the family had advertised for sale, and then he enabled the city to step in to take over from his organization.