Expansion at UR Downtown

At the corner of Seventh and Broad streets, UR Downtown is the University’s hub in the heart of the city for experiential learning and collaboration with nonprofit, government, and legal partners.

This month, the University will expand its footprint in downtown Richmond through the renovation of the lower level at UR Downtown.

This externally funded expansion, featuring a multipurpose room, new offices, and lockers for students, will offer UR Downtown the space to grow.

"The multipurpose room, with a larger capacity than our other reservable spaces, will enable new programming opportunities at UR Downtown," said Kim Dean, Richmond Families Initiative and UR Downtown program director.

All University departments and offices, as well as local nonprofit organizations, are invited to reserve this new space for future programs.

Since the March 2009 opening, UR Downtown has held hundreds of University and community-sponsored events.

Last month alone, Virginia Clean Cities, Virginia Organizing, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Art 180 hosted workshops and meetings at UR Downtown, free of charge. 

"The nonprofit organizations that use our spaces also support a range of student learning opportunities," said Alexandra Hunter, UR Downtown events and projects coordinator.

Lectures and class seminars at UR Downtown, led by Richmond attorneys, civic leaders, and scholars, address topics of local importance.

Exhibitions in the Wilton Companies Gallery, such as The Art of Hans Gassman, showcase student curatorial research.

"UR Downtown is truly a cross-disciplinary site that fosters creative educational initiatives," said Elizabeth Sheehan, director of Partners in the Arts.

With the completion of the lower level, UR Downtown now sets its sights on another exciting expansion project. 

Construction will soon break ground on a new café, Richmond on Broad. 

"With the completion of the lower level and Richmond on Broad, UR Downtown will not only be a hub for University of Richmond community engagement activities in the city," said Tara Casey, director of the Harry L. Carrico Center for Pro Bono Service, "it will be an epicenter, linking students and faculty with community partners and clients."

UR Downtown is home to four programs—The Bonner Center for Civic Engagement’s Richmond Families Initiative, the Law School’s Harry L. Carrico Center for Pro Bono Service and Jeanette Lipman Family Law Clinic, and the School of Professional and Continuing Studies’ Partners in the Arts.