Petersburg: Virginia’s Historic City Earns Advancing Virginia Main Street Community Designation

Petersburg has recently been recognized as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), marking a significant milestone in the city’s revitalization efforts. This designation follows the city’s participation in Virginia Main Street‘s (VMS) two-year Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) program, which began in January 2023. This recognition highlights Petersburg’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its historic downtown and strengthen its local economy.

Located at the base of the Appomattox River, Petersburg has a rich history as a thriving port city and an industrial hub in the 19th century, particularly in tobacco, textiles, and food processing. However, like many American cities, it faced significant challenges due to suburban flight and disinvestment in the latter half of the 20th century. Despite these setbacks, the city has been steadily growing since the early 2000s, with over 1,600 new downtown apartment units developed in the past 20 years and a population increase of more than 3% in 2020.

Petersburg’s downtown boasts an impressive collection of historic buildings that reflect the city’s diverse prosperity, from its colonial roots to its 20th-century industrial past. Today, these assets are being leveraged by Main Street Petersburg (MSP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to drive economic growth through tourism, arts, dining, entertainment, and neighborhood amenities. Local treasures like Saucy’s, Oyster Society, and Trapezium Brewery attract visitors and residents, while the newly opened Hotel Petersburg adds a much-needed hospitality option to the area.

With a vision to restore Petersburg’s residential base and enhance its retail offerings, MSP is collaborating with partners like the City of Petersburg, who recently approved a downtown master plan, The Cameron Foundation, the Richmond Area Arts Council, and the Metropolitan Business League to revitalize the downtown district. Key initiatives include a wayfinding plan and sign installation, historic preservation education, small business support, façade assessments, and the establishment of a revolving loan fund to support façade improvements.

As Petersburg embraces its AVMS designation, the future looks bright. Main Street Petersburg’s dedication to preserving the city’s rich history while fostering economic growth ensures a promising path forward, making Petersburg an attractive destination for both young professionals and retirees alike.

Congratulations, Petersburg!