Low line project

Sadly, this was the first introduction to our city for the more than 300,000 annual visitors who enter Richmond via the Virginia Capital Trail.

After:

In 2015, Capital Trees embarked on its most ambitious project to date — a collaboration between the City of Richmond, CSX Corporation and Capital Trees to rehabilitate 5.5 acres along the James River and Kanawha Canal.

They have been leveraging for transparency in the content of building materials, so that, like consumers who read what’s in a Snickers bar before eating it, they’ll know the “ingredients” of materials to choose the greenest, what they call “healthiest,” options.[2]

These examples illustrate the trend of “medicalization” in our increasingly health-obsessed society: when ordinary problems (such as construction, productivity, etc.) are defined and understood in medical terms.

This long-awaited project is finally moving forward, paving the way for a more connected, walkable, and bikeable Charleston.

What’s Coming in Phase 1?

🏃🏽‍♀️A 1.6-mile path from Mt. Pleasant St. to Line Street
🌳 A beautiful new park space
🚘 Two parking lots

With Friends of the Lowline & The PATH Foundation as key partners, this project will seamlessly integrate with other exciting initiatives like the Battery Extension & ARC Bridge, making travel across Charleston easier and greener.

Special Service Area 27 and its 501(c)(3) non-profit partner organization, Friends of Lakeview, have partnered with PORT, a leading-edge design consultancy, to envision the future of the Lakeview Low-Line.

 

About the Lakeview Low-Line

 

Mural Walls

Mural walls play host to rotating art exhibits, creating a larger-than-life outdoor gallery.

As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. The lights will change colors and patterns, responding playfully to their environment and even activating when the CTA ‘L’ train rumbles overhead!

Programming opportunities

Flexible public plazas located at Southport Ave.

and Paulina St. incorporate seating elements and opportunities for programming, enhancing the experience for CTA riders and reinforcing the identity of the CTA stations as the heart of our neighborhood.

 

Support the Lakeview Low-Line

Help make the Lakeview Low-Line vision become a reality!

Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. Today, visitors along this route see the Low Line Gardens and experience an urban oasis enjoyed by cyclists and pedestrians, canal boat tourists, area workers and local residents. Plazas located at Southport, Ashland and Paulina incorporate seating elements and opportunities for programming, enhancing the experience for CTA riders and reinforcing the identity of the CTA stations as the heart of our neighborhood.

Additionally, a new park at Marshfield Ave. will surprise and delight visitors to the Lakeview Low-Line with an urban forest and planted mounds, creating a playful yet relaxing environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The Lakeview Low-Line was first introduced in the 2011 Lakeview Area Master Plan as a means of connecting the neighborhood’s unique sub-districts and beautifying Lakeview.

Yet another indication of the progress we’ve made since initiating this restoration — in April 2016, Governor Terry McAuliffe designated the Low Line as a Virginia Treasure.

The Low Line Green was the second phase of the larger Low Line project, and completed the restoration of the final 1.5 acres of the 5.5-acre space in 2020. In their book Imperfect Health, Borasi and Zardini argue that through this process, architecture and design has been mistakenly burdened with the normalizing, moralistic function of “curing” the human body.

By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. Mural walls along the walkway play host to rotating art exhibits, creating a larger-than-life outdoor gallery, while an interactive light installation along the length of the path will playfully celebrate the ‘L’ structure, creating a quintessentially Chicago experience.

Sweets?


Lakeview Low-Line donations benefit Friends of Lakeview, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Our Sponsors

Presenting Artwalk Sponsor

Contributor

  • 2X10nails/Southport

  • Bob Giovannetti

  • Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Shapiro Family Fund

  • Matt Lederer

  • Luis Monje & William Pepin

  • Jill Peters

  • Erin Schwartz & Brian Harris

  • Southport Grocery & Cafe

  • David Spielfogel & Lee Crandell

  • Leyla and Erol Usmen

Advocate

  • Chicago Association of REALTORS® CommercialForum

  • Mark Cozzi and James Goeke

  • Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd.

  • The Donna & Harry McDonald Family Foundation

Innovator

Friend

  • Central Federal Savings

  • Dogaholics

  • Carrie Weaver

  • In Honor of Ziggy Duncan

Charleston DailyLowcountry,

At the latest Charleston, SC City Council meeting, funding for Phase 1 of the Lowline was officially approved!

It’s good for you! If you’d like to get involved, donate, or learn more – we’d love to connect.

Photo Gallery

Location

The Low Line is a 5.5-acre urban green space that stretches east from Great Shiplock Park, located at Dock and Pear Streets, to the Richmond floodwall at 17th Street, and from Dock Street south to the banks of the James River and Kanawha Canal.

Currently, you can find murals from artists Lauren Asta, Antonio Beniquez, Sharon Dowell, Chad Kouri, Felix Maldonado, Jr., Mauricio Ramirez, JC Rivera, Chris Silva and Yollocalli Arts Reach along the Lakeview Low-Line.

Interactive Light Installation

Soon to be completed, an interactive light installation will playfully celebrate the ‘L’ structure, creating a quintessentially Chicago experience.

The Low Line Green provides a beautiful urban green space away from the CSX train trestle and the plaza can be used for formal and informal community gatherings.

Listen to WCVE’s feature story on the Low Line

Download the Low Line Gardens Plant List

Ongoing:

Committed to the long term management of public landscapes, Capital Trees sustainably manages the The Low Line from Great Shiplock Park to the Low Line Green including weeding, pruning, mowing, tidying, and planting.