The Wrap: Friday Cheers, GRTC Pulse launch date, Carytown development debate, and what to do this weekend

Photo @101pitbulls

The week in brief

Good afternoon, Wrappers! I’m happy to report it finally feels like summer is here, and that makes me really happy. And just in time, too, as Friday Cheers kicks off on Brown’s Island this evening. Valerie June headlines the event this evening with Devon Gilfillian opening the show around 6:30 PM. Scott Castro has a great preview of the show to get your mind right before you head down, right here.

We finally have a date for service to begin on the GRTC Pulse! Sunday, June 24th will be the first day you can ride and experience faster bus service on Broad Street. With that said, contractor Lane Construction is busily readying all of the station stops ahead of the start date, so be aware as you’re driving around in the next couple months and be sure to slow down. And most importantly, stay out of the “bus only” lanes–many drivers are riding down these lanes just as in the bike lanes around the city, and it presents a safety hazard. The good news, though, is that the mess of a construction project is thisclose to being completely done.

Peak Experiences, which has been in Midlothian for the past two decades, just opened a massive new climbing gym near Scott’s Addition that’s about double the size of its original spot, and it’s pretty awesome. The new facility features climbing and bouldering walls, an elevated catwalk from which you can watch climbers and enjoy beer and wine, a full cardio and weight room, a retail store, and a group fitness studio. It’s all connected to the Sports Center of Richmond (SCOR) complex, too. Check out my photo tour here.

We could soon know the fate of the ugly, brown, circa-1970s Richmond Shopping Center. Regency Centers, owner of the Carytown complex that once housed a Martin’s grocery store, will host a community meeting next Tuesday, May 8th to unveil plans to redevelop the property. Of particular to me (and many others in the community) aren’t the shopping center buildings falling to the bulldozer, but rather the 200-year-old Carytown Toll Taker’s House, current home of Carytown Burgers and Fries, which is also set to be demolished. It’s by far the oldest structure in that area of town and has survived several iterations of development. From my understanding, it will be razed along with the rest of the property, and that makes me equal parts angry and sad. I’ll be there Tuesday to speak with developers and report back on the plans Wednesday.

Did you know there was a serial stalker following women in South Richmond thirty years ago? Richard Hayes has a preview on a very Serial-esque podcast coming soon from the folks at WRIR, and it looks really, really interesting. Check it here.

Five things to know

1. Innsbrook-based Snagajob has rebranded to just “Snag,” and with the pivot laid off dozens of employees this week.
2. The New York Jets will hold joint practices with the Washington Redskins at the Bon Secours Traning Center this summer, it was announced earlier this week.
3. VCU students are weighing whether smokingshould be banned outright on campus.
4. Speaking of, student debt is rising quickly as college tuitions increase. Just how fast? Check out this interactive report from our Capital News Service reporters.
5. The Valentine is hosting two walking toursfeaturing Scott’s Addition and its history this weekend.