2012 was an amazing year for Richmond Main Street and the revitalization of Historic Downtown Richmond. We implemented a wide range of programs designed to revitalize our community through business assistance, beautification, entertainment, health, and arts programs. Major developments include establishing a weekly, seasonal farmers' market, free Zumba fitness classes, and the area's very first business improvement district.

1. 2012: What a Year!

2. Art In Windows Spring 2012
Featuring paintings by Steven Bruce and Tracy Ricks
Closing Reception & Art Walk
June 22, 2012

3. Art In Windows Spring 2012
Featuring paintings by Steven Bruce and Tracy Ricks
Closing Reception & Art Walk
June 22, 2012

4. Art In Windows Spring 2012
Featuring paintings by Steven Bruce and Tracy Ricks
Closing Reception & Art Walk
June 22, 2012

5. Celebrating Black History Month
Artists reception for W. Allen Walker's one-man play In Search of my
Father...Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
February 26, 2012

6. Celebrating Black History Month
Artists reception for W. Allen Walker's one-man play In Search of my
Father...Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
February 26, 2012
Food by Blackberry Soul Bakery & Café

7. Community Clean Up
March 26, 2012
19 youth from Leadership Public Schools making a difference in
Downtown Richmond by picking up litter and beautifying planters in
the Market Square Mall parking lot.

8. Community Clean Up
March 26, 2012
Before After

9. Free Zumba Fitness Classes

10. Healthy Village Farm Stand 2012
First Fridays, May – August

11. Healthy Village Farm Stand
May 4, 2012
Liberty Ship Café serving healthy EcoVillage Farm giving out free, fresh
snacks and natural juice drinks. fruits and veggies to families.

12. Healthy Village Farm Stand
June 1, 2012
Learning about healthy foods at the Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library
HEAL information table. teaching residents how to save seeds.

13. Healthy Village Farm Stand
July 6, 2012
Youngsters learning about healthy LatinoMix and EasyGo Richmond
habits through arts and crafts. interacting with the crowd.

14. Healthy Village Farm Stand
August 3, 2012
Delicious and nutritious food by RecycleMore helping residents
Liberty Ship Café coop. compost food scraps by passing out
free compost bins and information.

15. Healthy Village Farm Stand 2012
18 organizations offering resources & information
6 volunteers
600 community members served

16. Richmond Main Street
Farmers’ Market
June 27 – October 31
Over 600 shoppers helped welcome this weekly farmers’ market to Downtown.

17. Richmond Main Street
Farmers’ Market
June 27 – October 31
Fresh fruits and veggies, sweet treats, local artisans,
flowers, honey, and lunch stalls.

18. Music on the Main 2012
Fourth Wednesdays, June – August

19. Music on the Main
June 27, 2012
Blues man Jesse James working the Zumba fitness break with Willa
crowd in his signature style. “Bontle” Willis.

20. Music on the Main
July 25, 2012
Dancing to the Blue Hand Band. Solar Richmond passing out
information about energy savings.

21. Music on the Main
August 22, 2012
Dancing in Downtown Richmond. Sekhou Senegal wowing the crowd with
amazing music and dance moves.

22. Music on the Main 2012
23 food stalls, artisan vendors, and information booths
21 volunteers
950+ visitors to Downtown

23. Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program 2012
July - September
Richmond youth learning workplace basics and leadership skills.

24. Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program 2012
July - September
Working through group exercises and developing communication skills.

25. Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program 2012
July - September
Showing off their certificates for financial literacy training from Wells Fargo.

26. Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program 2012
July - September
Researching and drafting mock business plans for Downtown Richmond.

27. Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program 2012
July - September
Business ideas include a zoo and animal education center, tutoring and college
resource services, and a shopping plaza with shops and services for families.

28. Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program 2012
July - September
11 Richmond youth graduate from the SYEP training program on July 13 with
summer positions at local businesses.
3 participants gain full-time employment at the end of the program.

29. National Night Out Closing Party
August 7, 2012
Police officers, fire fighters, and 200+ community members connecting
over hot cider and fresh-baked cookies.

30. Neighborhood Ambassador Program
Neighborhood Ambassadors walked throughout the Downtown district
on a daily basis an resolved over 900 issues, including litter pick-up,
graffiti removal, dumping, and damage to private property.

31. Neighborhood Ambassador Program
Neighborhood Ambassadors also helped pedestrians find their way
around Downtown, promote Main Street’s events and programs, and
represent us at the weekly farmers’ market.
5 ambassadors from Rubicon Programs gained employment.

32. Spirit & Soul Festival
Richmond Arts In Motion
September 29, 2012
Richmond Main Street partnered with the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
to bring a unique street festival to Main Street to celebrate the arts and raise funds
for the revitalization of Downtown Richmond.

33. Spirit & Soul Festival
Richmond Arts In Motion
September 29, 2012
Dancing on Main Street!

34. Spirit & Soul Festival
Richmond Arts In Motion
September 29, 2012
1000+ came out for great shopping, amazing music, delicious food and wine,
and community togetherness.
31 volunteers, 15 vendors, and support from the community made it happen.

35. Spirit & Soul Festival
Richmond Arts In Motion
September 29, 2012
Downtown Champions
Arnie Jordan Jerrold Mary
Kasendorf Simmons Hatchett Lavergne

36. Spirit & Soul Festival
Richmond Arts In Motion
September 29, 2012
East Bay Center for the Performing Arts dedicates their interactive window art
installation with international performances.

37. Start & Grow Smart
Small Business Assistance
Three class sessions served 25 business owners and budding entrepreneurs.

38. Art In Windows Fall 2012
Featuring prints and works on paper by Frederick Franklin
Opening Reception & Art Walk November 9, 2012

39. Art In Windows Fall 2012
Featuring prints and works on paper by Frederick Franklin
Opening Reception & Art Walk November 9, 2012
Enjoying public art like the new Kaiser Learning about Franklin’s inspiration
Permanente installations along for his Iron Triangle Community Picnic
Macdonald Avenue between 8th Street posters.
and 7th Street.

40. Downtown Holiday Festival
Volunteers
35 volunteers contributed 100+ hours
wrapping gifts and decorating the East
Bay Center for the Performing Arts.

41. Downtown Holiday Festival
Presented by Richmond Main Street and the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
December 12, 2012
Visits with Santa and gifts for 500+ children made possible through generous
support from the community and 24 amazing volunteers..

42. Downtown Holiday Festival
Presented by Richmond Main Street and the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
December 12, 2012
Holiday shopping featuring local businesses and artisans.

43. Downtown Holiday Festival
Presented by Richmond Main Street and the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
December 12, 2012
Stellar performances by Center companies.

44. Downtown Holiday Festival
Presented by Richmond Main Street and the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
December 12, 2012
The return of holiday street lights along Macdonald Avenue celebrated with a
special lighting dedication ceremony.

45. Downtown Business Updates
Main Street Welcomes New Businesses
BART Mart & Deli Planned Parenthood Sanctuary Yoga
Archiscape Design
Joy Cafe
Teach for America

46. Downtown Stakeholders Make History by
Approving the Downtown Richmond
Property Based Improvement District…
the First in the City of Richmond!
July 17, 2012