Effort Underway to Refurbish Richmond Thoroughfare
RICHMOND, Calif. (KCBS) _ Major improvements are on the way to improve a major thoroughfare in the heart of downtown Richmond.
Heavy traffic flows through 23rd Street, the home of many mom and pop stores, taquerias, auto shops, cleaners and beauty salons.
But it has also attracted crime and prostitution.
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Jorge Lerma with the 23rd Street Merchants Association said there's now a movement to change this image.
"As we go into the future, we want to see 23rd Street become a vibrant corridor," he said. "So people say, let's go to 23rd as much as people say now let's go to Market Street or let's go to the Mission."
Jean Robinson, owner of Jean's Place Beauty Salon said she's been on 23rd for 30 years and recalls decades ago, when merchants took pride in having attractive storefront windows.
"A long time ago, people had beautiful displays. But now, it's like you can't see your way in and you can't see your way out," she said. "And I wonder why the city would let them cover that like that."
Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin said the 23rd Street redevelopment plan is once again at the top of the priority list after being shelved due to a lack of funding.
