Meredith Bonny’s article in the Richmond Times, “Stepping Out: Newly Hip Old Towne” is an illustration of new urbanism in a nearby town in
Virginia. Old Towne Petersburg was devastated numerous times, with a fire in 1815 and a tornado in 1993 that stripped their city away, “causing at least $10 million in damage.” The
port of
Petersburg was once the ‘commercial center for processing and transporting cotton, tobacco, and metal goods. Later it became an important part of the railroad industry.’ The neighborhoods and surrounding area have flourished since then. It is now a place where ‘antique dealers walk to work with coffee in hand, local artwork hangs on restaurant walls, and the architecture is some of the most beautiful in all of the country.’ The town allows for the small town feel, joined by a vibrant and exciting artistic spirit. Residents of Old Towne enjoy the luxury of walking to and from work, Kimberly Ann Calos explains “I don’t even know where my car is.” Another homeowner from the area explains, “It is a community here, when you walk down the streets you feel like you are in a parade.” The area celebrates its liveliness with ‘art venues, good places to eat, sweet wine, and the Friday for Arts with art exhibits and music every second Friday of the month. Old Towne Petersburg seems to be the perfect example of how places that exemplify new urbanism and smart growth do exist. And this one exists right outside of
Richmond. It has created a new little city where there are jobs and that never-have-to-leave feeling. It seems like this notion has become a thing of the past. One resident explained, “It’s like you are right back in a different time. It’s very nostalgic.” For some reason this type of neighborhood, the idea and its actual presence have become a thing of the past. Hopefully, slowly but surely, more of these towns and cities will spring up.
