CSX, Capital Trees and the City of Richmond
Partner to Create the Low Line, a 5.5 Acre
Environmental and Beautification Project Along the Virginia Capital Trail
RICHMOND, Va. (July 22, 2015) - CSX, Capital Trees, and the City of
Richmond have signed agreements to begin the creation of the Low Line, a 5.5
acre environmental and beautification project along Dock Street adjacent to the
Virginia Capital Trail, on the historic James River and Kanawha Canal. CSX,
which owns the rail trestle that runs along the planned beautification area
into downtown Richmond ,
is donating $100,000 to support the project.
"Rarely does an opportunity to do something so
transformative present itself," said Jeanette McKittrick, chairman of
Capital Trees' board of trustees. "The Low Line is the uncommon event
where the necessary elements of timing, circumstance, will, and ability come
together to recast a place of great historic, environmental, cultural and
economic interest. It is Capital Trees' vision to help Richmond live up to its
stunningly beautiful natural gifts, to work harder to protect the James River,
and to work harder, think harder, about landscapes and streetscapes. We're very
grateful that CSX and the City of Richmond
have the vision to see the importance of this project and have joined in as
true collaborators."
Mayor Dwight C. Jones expressed his enthusiasm for the
project, stating, "I am pleased that this partnership will enhance the
beauty of the City's riverfront as well as the Virginia Capital Trail. Creative partnerships among the City,
corporate partners like CSX, and volunteer non-profits like Capital Trees are
taking the Richmond
resurgence to the next level."
Project plans for the Low Line include enhancing the area
between the Capital Trail and CSX's rail trestles along the James River and
Kanawha Canal, removing invasive weeds and creating an attractive landscape
with primarily native trees, shrubs and perennials, along with storm water
mitigation amenities, educational signage and space for interpretive public
art. The Low Line takes creative
inspiration from the High Line, an elevated unused CSX railway viaduct running
through Manhattan
that was transformed into a beautiful urban garden.
The Low Line concept is the creation of Capital Trees, which
is responsible for the project's design, funding and execution. Site
preparation is underway and partial completion is expected prior to the UCI
World Championships in September. In addition to the CSX and City of Richmond donations, the
project has attracted significant support from The Cabell Foundation, the Mary
Morton Parsons Foundation, the Roller-Bottimore Foundation, the Rock
Foundation, the Garden Club of Virginia, and individual donors.
"CSX aims to be a positive influence on the communities
where we live and work, especially in the areas of environmental sustainability
and preservation," said Bryan Rhode, regional vice president - state
government affairs in Virginia .
"Richmond is a key part of our company's
history and our business today - including the nexus of three transportation
networks, important rail and transfer facilities, and critical access to the Port of Virginia
About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville ,
Florida United States , where nearly
two-thirds of the nation's population resides.
It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean,
river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns
alike. More information about CSX
Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.
About Capital Trees
Capital Trees is a non-profit environmental organization
whose mission is to enhance and restore the urban landscape and public spaces
in the Richmond
community. We envision a greener, more beautiful Richmond
through the thoughtful planning and planting of trees and public gardens,
mindful of the city's extraordinary heritage and location on the banks of the James River . Visit us online at http://capitaltrees.org.
Contacts:
Tammy Hawley
City of Richmond
804-646-3110
Jeanette McKittrick
Capital Trees
804-370-1610
Kaitlyn Barrett
CSX
904-359-1037