Chester was experiencing a growth spurt 18 years ago, just before we reached into the new millennium. Some believed that 2000 would be the end of the world.
But, as it turned out, it was only the beginning of the Village News.
In August of 1998, the new kid on the publishing block was the Village News. Working from the dining room table the first year, 12 months later we moved to an office.
As we sit in our office on the Village Green in Chester we know the some of the dreams of those in Chester have come to fruition. We do know that Chester Village Green is now a reality, as well as a new Chester Post Office, several new retail outlets, a new library, school additions, and even street lights. It seems for now that the growth we are experiencing here in Chester is good and if we must have growth we are going in the right direction.
This is what we were wondering about 18 years ago:
Chester Village Green
Chester’s Village Green development is on track. The first section of paved street will be completed in the next couple of weeks and F & M Bank will be breaking ground soon.
The bond referendum of 1996 has paved the way for the new Chester Library which will be built on an extension of Center St., which is also in the Village Green development. Nancy VanAuken, branch supervisor of the library, says “architects are working on the plans now and we should be using the new library in the year 2000”.
In addition, the development will include retail space, in the “Exchange Buildings, a centerpiece park, condominiums and single family lots. The full extent of this project will be covered in a future issue of this paper.
The concept of this project is one that has not been tried before in the Richmond area. It will incorporate turn of the 20th century architecture with a pedestrian environment, a place to take a stroll and enjoy the surroundings in a non-suburban atmosphere.
Street Lights
Route 10 will be getting brighter and more attractive due to new street lights that will be install beginning this fall, several lights are in place already at Harrowgate Rd. The lights will be acorn style and will extend from just west of Route 1 to where Route 10 divides just west of the village.
Post Office
It has been decided. Chester’s new Post Office will be built across from the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. The new post office will be 4½ times the size of the current office in the village area. There has also been some talk of a satellite office remaining in the current office location, but that has not been confirmed.
High Schools
The Bird High School renovation and addition is continuing and will be under construction for as much as two more years, although the new entrance paving will be complete by the start of school this year.
Thomas Dale on the other hand has had a difficult time getting started, construction bids have not been let and a starting date is unsure at this time.
Developments
Residential developments have been growing in Chester like a teenager who grows a foot in one year.
Forest Lake, which lies south of Lowe’s new store, contains as many as 300 lots.
The Village Green development will include 275 single family lots as well as condominiums, garage apartments and direct access to the Village Green commercial area.
Ivey Ridge, a new residential development off of Petersburg St., will also add 85 lots to the inventory of residential lots in Chester.
Home Depot
Home Depot has come to Chester. As most of us have seen by now the new store is well under construction.
