There was an interesting piece by Graham Moomaw in today’s Times-Dispatch (and at RVANews.com yesterday) about some environmental remediation and general refurbishment that will take place at Ancarrow’s Landing over the next year.

According to the article: “ExxonMobil has agreed to remediate and improve a 4.3-acre section of Ancarrow’s Landing in order to reuse an area that once housed a fertilizer-mixing facility for park improvements along the James River, according to Richmond officials.

Ancarrow’s Landing features the only public motorized boat launch in the city.

“The plan…will involve the removal of about 5,000 cubic yards of soil contaminated by lead and arsenic from the chemical facility that operated there from the mid-1920s to 1962.”

The exciting aspect of the story, from the river lover’s perspective, is that “the subsequent restoration will involve an expanded parking area with space for up to 30 boat trailers and 73 cars. Canal stones that have been stockpiled will be reused by being placed around the park to provide seating and define certain areas. More lighting will be added and access trails will be improved, including the area near the beginning of the Richmond Slave Trail. The city may also locate a historic slave cabin at the site.”

Almost as exciting as the plan itself is that it’s scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. That’s a Redskins training camp timetable!