After more than a year of construction, a residential and retail complex is taking shape in Church Hill in the block bounded by Nine Mile Road, Fairmount Avenue and 25th, 24th and Redd streets. Looking north from S Street, the complex’s largest element is the new apartment buildings, at left, with 42 units that face Fairmount Avenue. At the center, just beyond a barricade blocking entry to 25th Street is the building that will house the new grocery store, the Market at 25th. At right, the steel skeleton of the J. Sargeant Reynolds Culinary School is going up adjacent to Nine Mile Road. The city has contributed $500,000 to support the development Steven and Kathie Markel are undertaking with other partners, including J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. The site is just a few blocks west of the Church Hill North development that is bringing new apartments and homes to the property that once housed Armstrong High School at Nine Mile Road and 31st Street. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)
