A New Vision for Lakeside Avenue: Henrico’s Plan for a More Walkable, Vibrant Corridor

Henrico County is looking ahead with an ambitious vision for Lakeside Avenue—one that could reshape the corridor into a more walkable, connected, and community-centered destination over the next two decades.

The finalized draft from the Henrico Planning Department imagines a future that feels more like Richmond’s Carytown: active sidewalks, local businesses, neighborhood gathering places, and a street design that gives people more reasons to slow down and stay awhile.

Designing for People, Not Just Cars

At the center of the proposal is a major rethinking of how Lakeside Avenue functions. Rather than prioritizing four travel lanes for vehicle traffic, the plan recommends reducing the road to two lanes.

The reclaimed space could support:

• Continuous, wider sidewalks

• Dedicated bike lanes

• On-street parking

• More street trees and landscaping

• New and safer crosswalks

• A reduced speed limit of 25 mph

Together, these improvements would make the corridor safer and more comfortable for pedestrians, cyclists, residents, and customers visiting local businesses. The goal is not simply to change the street—it is to create a place where people want to spend time.

For a community with established businesses, nearby neighborhoods, and strong local identity, a more people-focused streetscape could help Lakeside Avenue become a true destination rather than only a route through the area.

More Homes and Mixed-Use Development

The plan also recommends new opportunities for residential density and mixed-use development along the corridor.

Henrico planners propose recategorizing Lakeside as an Overlay District, which could allow a broader range of housing and commercial uses. Potential future development could include townhomes, four-plexes, 12-plexes, and mixed-use buildings with retail or restaurants on the ground floor and apartments above.

More than 100 live-work units could eventually be added to the corridor, either by replacing existing structures or incorporating new development alongside them.

This type of growth could support local businesses by adding more residents within walking distance while also giving people more housing choices in a desirable, established area. Thoughtful density can create the customer base and activity needed for independent shops, cafés, services, and community events to thrive.

Building Spaces for Community Life

One of the most exciting parts of the proposal is its emphasis on public gathering spaces. Instead of viewing Lakeside Avenue solely as a commercial corridor, the plan imagines several places designed for neighbors to connect.

Potential additions include:

• A landscaped green space between Clarke and Ginter streets, framed by civic buildings

• A dog park near Oakwood Lane, potentially complemented by small businesses such as a brewery or café

• A small plaza in front of Lakeside Barbeque, with outdoor seating and public art

• A larger public square that could become the new home of the Lakeside Farmers’ Market

The proposed public square could serve as an anchor for community life, hosting concerts, movie nights, farmers’ markets, and other neighborhood events. These types of spaces often become the heart of a community—places where residents run into neighbors, support local vendors, and build a stronger connection to where they live.

Addressing Parking Concerns

Parking is often one of the first questions raised when communities consider walkability improvements and increased development. The plan recognizes that concern and proposes a two-story parking deck behind existing businesses.

A centralized parking option could help preserve access for visitors and customers while allowing the street itself to become more pedestrian-friendly. Rather than dedicating the most visible parts of the corridor to vehicle storage and high-speed traffic, the plan aims to make room for storefronts, seating, trees, bike facilities, and community activity.

What Happens Next?

It is important to note that this plan is a recommendation, not an immediate mandate. Its future will depend on participation from major property owners, future development proposals, available funding, and approvals from the Henrico County Board of Supervisors.

Still, the draft provides a clear long-term framework for what Lakeside Avenue could become: a safer, more walkable, mixed-use corridor that supports local businesses, adds housing options, and creates new gathering spaces for the community.

For homeowners, buyers, investors, and business owners, plans like this are worth watching. Infrastructure improvements, zoning flexibility, and public-space investments can meaningfully shape how a neighborhood grows—and how people experience it every day.

Lakeside already has a strong sense of place. This vision asks an important question: what could the corridor become if its streets were designed not just to move cars, but to bring people together?