The now vacant Sixth Street Marketplace on Marshall Street has become a bit of an eyesore since the last of its occupants were flushed out.
Though the building has been slated for demolition as part of the planned revitalization of Broad Street, the city decided to take steps to try and make the Marketplace building less of a blight and more of a bright spot in the city's future.
Media gathered on the sidewalk on Marshall Street last week for the unveiling of murals created by children working with the Art 180, a Richmond-based nonprofit organization that creates art-related programs for young people living in challenging circumstances.
"Through art, a child's life direction can be turned around," said Mistress of Ceremonies Valena Dixon of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Lots of thanks were passed around between speakers and guests who included Jane Ferrara, Richmond's director of real estate services; Carthan Currin, director of the city's economic development office; and Garland Curtis, deputy director of community revitalization for the RRHA.
"When residents pass by we want them to see more than a vacant storefront," Ferrara said.
Ralph Hawkins worked with Art 180 as the lead artist on the project and praised the children he had the chance to work with and the murals they produced.
"The concept for the art is pretty simple," Hawkins said. "How to build a better future."
Hawkins said the artwork represents pieces of what Richmond could possibly become.
Another artist from Art 180 also took two days to hand paint the awnings overhanging both entrances to the Marketplace with the slogan "Building a Brighter Future."
The empty building, despite its failure as the Sixth Street Marketplace, is being hailed by city officials as a big opportunity just waiting to be taken advantage of.
"It represents an amazing opportunity for our city to capitalize," Currin said.
Hopefully art will also help give meaning to this old building while the city decides the fate of its foundation.