Island Life

For many Richmond residents, the James River is a lifeline to nature, a respite from the day to day trials that encompass us all. 

In this episode of the series, we’re diving into what’s next for the island – I spoke with people who worked on part of the island, interested parties, members of the parks department and with the sole owner of the remaining piece of land on the island not owned by the city.

History Reinvented is a two part podcast series, in which I'll take you on a trip through the history around Mayo Island and the Mayo Bridge, from its early beginnings to what the future holds for this historic part of the Richmond Landscape.

New episodes will try to drop each week but, as a freelance reporter, I could surely use some help with you subscribing and supporting this podcast. And if you’re a sponsor who may be interested in helping, then please do reach out. Heck, you could even Venmo me (Ian-Stewart-82) a few dollars to buy me some coffee. 

Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation—including topics on cargo bikes, multi-use trails and more. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station, where I also happened to report on transportation topics.

History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.

Transcript

History Reinvented - Episode 3 Transcript

For many Richmond residents, the James River is a lifeline to nature, a respite from the day to day trials that encompass us all. For Lion Jackson, it’s all about peace.

Lion Jackson quotes

Jackson, who plunks down near the river’s edge on a regular basis during the warmer season, will soon have access to spots on Mayo’s island where he can also find some peace.

Lion Jackson quotes

The change in Mayo Island’s access to the open public has been decades in the making. Here’s former City Council person Parker Agelasto, he’s currently the Executive Director of Capital Region Land Conservancy.

Parker Agelasto: Parker for the last 40, some years, the city's master plan had called for Mayo to be used as a public park as a public space and challenges privately owned, how do you get a private owner to work with somebody from the city for public benefit, and you just have to compete in the private market. 

So, What’s next for Mayo’s Island? I’m Ian Stewart, and this is History Reinvented.

In this two part podcast series, I’ll take you on a trip through the history around Mayo Island and the Mayo Bridge, from its early beginnings to what the future holds for this historic part of the Richmond Landscape. 

In this episode of the series, we’re diving into what’s next for the island – I spoke with people who worked on part of the island, interested parties, members of the parks department and with the sole owner of the remaining piece of land on the island not owned by the city.

I'm Cyane Crump. And I am the Executive Director of historic Richmond

We're sitting right now. And monumental Church, which is a 200 year old National Historic Landmark built to commemorate the victims of the Richmond theater fire. 

Side note,  you can read about Rachel Beanland’s amazing book called The House is on Fire and you can hear my interview with Beanland here: Now, back to Cyane.

Crump: And  as you can see out the front portico, you can see the river and across to Manchester, across Mayo Island to Manchester. And at one point, the view was just, you know, probably you can see Shockoe bottom and things like that until building is going to happen. You could see the sweep of Richmond from Churchill across the Shaco Valley across the James River and mayo Island to Manchester.

The view has of course changed over the years. Blocking part of the view is a huge building housing the offices of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Crump: And then across to the Capitol, across Broad Street to the Capitol. So probably in early days, it was great to be able to have that view to see kind of what ships were coming in and things like that probably think you would have been able to see all of the commercial activity in the city. So tell me what you know about mail Allen and why historic Richmond? Well, you're more were you want to talk about the bridge more than the island right or both. 

When talking about the history of Mayo Island and Bridge, you can see Crump’s passion for the area.

Crump: I'm happy to talk about both. I think both Mayo Island and Mayo Bridge are important historic resources. Mayo Island has evolved over time, but has been the central point between the the two sides of the river and that river has been critically important to Richmond and its economic development and success over the centuries

Crump also wants to make sure the natural state of the future Mayo Island harkens back to even the pre-arrival of English settlers. 

Crump: I think Mayo Island has provided a place for Recreation and Conservation, for our nature based activities, you know, there was an outdoor ballpark there at some point in time, or earlier in the century. And the shad fisheries in the James River are just off the tip of it. And so it would be nice to see, it will be nice to see that the conservation aspects, easements and grant restrictions associated with mayo bridge will help take it back to a more natural state, we're happy to see that. And I think as we're, as we, as we, as humans, trod heavily on the earth, it's nice to bring back some of the more natural environment. And we also, you know, we forget what we forget the people that were here before the English arrived and the indigenous peoples, you know, it'd be nice to see it closer to what the people enjoyed before the English arrived.

Here’s some background. In 2024, around this time of year, the City of Richmond bought Mayo’s Island for about $15 million, taking control of roughly 15 acres of land that's mostly an asphalt desert. 

The city is getting reimbursed for more than half the cost through a few grant programs that made the purchase possible, according to the Bay Journal. Not to get down into the weeds, but here’s some background. 

Some of that money is coming from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation through the state’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund. And another smaller chunk will come from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation. Here’s Parker Agelasto again.

Agelasto: So in 2009, our very first victory was placing a conservation easement on the James River Park system. That was one of our earliest projects. And we have supported the park since then, and have helped to increase the acreage of the park and most notably with the acquisition of five acres on Dock Street acquisition of another five acres on brandr Street. And of course, supporting through the writing of grants and holding the easement on Mayo Island.

There were earlier deals to try and purchase the island back in 2023. The Capital Region Land Conservancy had the property under contract for $11.8 million but the deal fell through. 

Years before the sale, the Shaia family owned most of the island from the early 1970s until selling parts of it to the city, but there’s still a chunk of the island not owned by the city. And we’ll hear from him in a moment.

But first let’s hear from some of the people who work on Mayo Island, on the parcel of land owned by the Shaia family. On a trip to Mayo last year, I spoke with a few people who have set up food trucks on the island and one who worked as a mechanic in the garage that’s on the island.The owner wants to keep the garage’s history intact, but we’ll hear from him in a bit.  Most of these local businesses are gone now. But first, here’s mechanic Dustin Waters, I caught him as his head was under the hood of a car.

Blending of voices from workers

As mentioned, the city now owns most of Mayo Island, save for this one last chunk of land that's been privately owned since 1972.

At an open house put on by Richmond’s parks and recreation department, I met owner Louie Heindel.

Heindel: I own 510 14th Street, which is in the middle of Mayo's Island.

He showed up to meet with the park’s department to see how they can work together. Mr. Heindel showed up with his daughter Cindy Garrett.

Heindel: And as far as the park, I think it's a really good idea what they've done. That should have been done a long time ago. We can complement them with our property by having boat rentals, having a taco shop, having kayaks.

Having food that we already have there. There's a lot that can be done with that one piece of property to complement. We envision a partnership.

We would like a partnership. And be included in the plans so we can help to make this a wonderful facility for all of the city. 

Heindel’s history with space goes back decades. He had connections with the boat club that was on the island.

Quotes about the boat club.

Remember the mechanic Dustin Waters, working at the historic garage? Heindel has ideas for that spot.

Quotes about the garage.

Heindel says over the years people have approached him to buy that parcel.

Quotes about contracts.

Heindel says he likes to keep an eye on the property and again, wants to work with the city on its future.

Quotes about complimenting the city’s efforts. 

Coming up on the next episode of History Reinvented, we’ll hear more about what Richmonders can expect to happen next on Mayo Island from the people in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Quote from Parks Department

New episodes will try to drop each week but, as a freelance reporter, I could surely use some help with you subscribing and supporting this podcast. And if you’re a sponsor who may be interested in helping, then please do reach out. Heck, you could even Venmo me a few dollars to buy me some coffee. 

Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation—including topics on cargo bikes, multi-use trails and more. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station, where I also happened to report on transportation topics.

History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.