Acquisition of 510 S. 14th Street Advances Vision for a Unified Mayo Island Park
Richmond, VA — Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) has acquired the last remaining private 0.25-acre parcel on Mayo’s Island located at 510 S. 14th Street. The seller was 510 Property LLC, an entity owned by Louis A. Heindl who acquired the property in 1973 from the Virginia Boat Club. Moving forward, CRLC intends to work with the City of Richmond to ultimately transfer the property for inclusion in the future Mayo Island Park, helping create a cohesive and unified public space.
“The acquisition of the final privately held parcel on Mayo’s Island marks a significant step forward for the City of Richmond and our vision for the James River,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “This important milestone is critical to the ongoing effort to transform Mayo’s Island into a vibrant public park and riverfront destination. By bringing the entire island under unified ownership, we can advance plans that expand public access, celebrate the river’s natural beauty, and create a welcoming space for residents and visitors for generations to come.”
In 2024, the City of Richmond acquired approximately 15 acres of Mayo’s Island with a vision of transforming the property into a publicly accessible park. The Capital Region Land Conservancy was an instrumental partner in helping advance the City’s acquisition. As a co-holder with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation of a conservation easement on the previously acquired portion of Mayo’s Island, CRLC has remained committed to the long-term vision of preserving the entire island as public open space in perpetuity.
“This acquisition represents the culmination of more than 5 years of negotiations and work to acquire Mayo’s Island for a park,” said Parker C. Agelasto, Executive Director of the Capital Region Land Conservancy. “While small, this last parcel is important to realizing the full potential of Mayo Island Park by closing a significant hole in the center of the park and creating future opportunities for the development of the space.”
The property includes an existing building (1,290 square feet) that was built in 1933 as a service station. Because Mayo’s Island is within the federal floodway, today’s regulations would not permit construction of the building. Additionally, CRLC’s due diligence found that the building is served by an underground septic tank for wastewater that would also not be permitted today. However, these are grandfathered historical uses such that the building is expected to remain and play an important role in the future operation and activation of Mayo Island Park. As planning progresses, the building may support recreational activities, environmental education, volunteer programs, public art initiatives, community-based programming, concessions, or park maintenance operations.
“The Heindl family is delighted that the CRLC has acquired 510 S. 14th Street. We are confident that the CRLC will be a thoughtful steward of this property, preserving its rich history and heritage for generations to come,” said Louis Heindl. “It is our hope that this special place will continue to be appreciated and enjoyed by the community for many years ahead.”
Acquisition of the property also helps provide further clarification to the design and construction of the replacement for the 14th Steet / Mayo’s Bridge. Under private ownership, the City was required to provide adequate access to a public right-of-way. Removing this condition allows for alternative considerations on how 14th Street will intersect with Mayo Island Park.
“This acquisition continues progress in alignment with the Mayor’s pillar for thriving neighborhoods, ultimately delivering a park that reflects both the city’s goals and the community’s vision,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II.
The City and CRLC will continue working together with residents, community organizations, environmental partners, and stakeholders to shape the future of Mayo Island Park. Through collaborative planning, the partners seek to create a destination that celebrates Richmond’s relationship with the James River while providing opportunities for recreation, education, cultural expression, and environmental stewardship.
About Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC): Capital Region Land Conservancy is dedicated to conserving the natural and historic resources of Virginia’s Richmond region for the benefit of people and nature. The nonprofit land trust serves the City of Richmond and 19 surrounding counties. Since 2005, CRLC has helped protect more than 16,000 acres, including easements on more than 5,000 acres. www.capitalregionland.org
About the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities:
The Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities manages Richmond’s parks, trails, recreation facilities, cemeteries, and community programs, providing opportunities for recreation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement throughout the city. www.rva.gov/parks-recreation
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Contact:
Parker Agelasto, Executive Director
parker@capitalregionland.org
202-302-0153
