In recent years, the Central Virginia area has consumed more land at a faster rate than any major metropolitan area in the state. According to a 2003 report by the Southern Environmental Law Center, the region develops an average of 1.3 acres every hour.

The Partnership for Smarter Growth is an organization dedicated to spreading the idea that suburban sprawl breeds high taxes, gridlock and destruction of the environment.

Their goals include ensuring adequate investment in schools, public transportation and preservation of the region's historical and environmental resources.

This Sunday, the Partnership is sponsoring a bus tour of the city, followed by a celebration at Legend Brewing Company. The bus tour will give participants a history of the city pointing out what the Partnership sees as successes and failures in terms of community planning. 

The tour is being led by local experts in planning and community development, including Rachel Flynn, Director of Community Development, City of Richmond; Brooke Hardin, Principle Planner, City of Richmond; and Daniel Moore, Principle Planner, Department of Conservation and Recreation. 

The celebration will feature educational exhibits from supporting organizations, hors d'oeuvres by Legend's Chef Adam Hawkins, locally brewed Legend beer, music from the Dave Matthews-influenced MOOSSA, the raffling-off of a scooter (donated by Scoot Richmond) and a silent auction for alternative transportation items.

"The whole event is a cohesive approach to what we think needs to happen in the Richmond region," says coordinator Sheila Sheppard. "It's unifying all of these ideas about where we get our food, how we get around … the decisions being made."

Local Foods

Lisa Dearden at the Center for Rural Culture in Goochland, as well as Goochland restaurateur Molly Harris and Chef Adam Hawkins, devised a menu of locally grown food.

"We want to do everything we can to sustain rural culture," says Dearden. "We feel that local foods are integral for an event like this."

The Virginia Farm Bureau is also sponsoring the food. "It just seemed like a natural fit for us," said Advertising and Marketing Supervisor Keith Langley. "We have the Save Our Food Campaign, which we released in August, which advocates safe, fresh, food and just eating locally."

The Master Plan

The tour and celebration will also promote the City of Richmond Master Plan, which has been adopted by the City of Richmond Planning Commission.

"It's rare that a citizen group can embrace something the government gives us," says Sheppard. "This plan stresses housing affordability, it's green, and it acknowledges the river as being central to the community. It provides for mixed income and mixed use, it's pedestrian friendly, and it's just what we want: a blueprint for a more vibrant city."

The tour begins and ends at Legend Brewing Company, 321 W. 7th St. It lasts from 2 to 4 p.m. and the subsequent celebration lasts from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Partnership for Smarter Growth is a non-profit group that encourages education, advocacy and activism. It was started in 2004 by a group of concerned private citizens. More information about the group and Sunday's River City Saunter can be found here: www.psgrichmond.org.