The Tour (Part Three)
After an unforgettable time in Kansas City, it was tough to say goodbye—but the road called, and Week Two took me through the heart of Oklahoma and deep into Texas. The landscapes changed, but the mission stayed the same: support local Habitat for Humanity affiliates and gather inspiration for how cities like Richmond can evolve.
Oklahoma City: Canal Walk Potential Realized
Driving through Kansas was scenic but expensive—note to self: stock up on toll money. Upon arriving in Oklahoma City, I made a beeline for Bricktown, a vibrant entertainment district east of downtown that draws remarkable parallels to Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom.
At its center? A two-mile canal walk, lined with restaurants, shops, and yes—a ballpark. The integration is seamless. People dine, stroll, and catch a game, all in the same compact footprint. It’s the kind of urban synergy that Shockoe could absolutely emulate. Take note, Venture Richmond: our canal walk is ready for more—more businesses, more vibrancy, and yes, a ballpark.
Dallas: Trails Over Entertainment
Dallas surprised me. For a city its size, I expected a more defined entertainment district. What it lacked in nightlife clustering, it made up for with the Katy Trail—a five-mile urban greenway repurposed from an old railway. It's proof that with vision, even forgotten infrastructure can become a hub for wellness and community. Richmond, are we ready to convert unused rail lines?
Austin: Richmond’s Soul Sister
Then came Austin, and let me just say—it felt like Richmond’s Texan twin. Capitol city, eclectic, music-filled, with a creative pulse running through every street.
Their famed Sixth Street offered a blueprint for Grace Street in Richmond:
West of Congress: polished dining and cocktail spots.
East of Congress: high-energy bars, clubs, and college crowds.
Further east: a hipster haven with food truck parks and murals galore.
Grace Street could follow suit: upscale west of Belvidere, youthful in the middle, and creative on the fringe. It’s a flexible, scalable model for smart urban development.
San Antonio: The Canal Walk’s Aspirational Cousin
The crown jewel of the week was undoubtedly San Antonio’s Riverwalk—a dazzling, decades-old urban treasure that Richmond’s canal should aspire to become.
Winding along the San Antonio River, this pedestrian paradise boasts riverside dining, music, hotels, art, and even "Marriage Island", a small islet used for weddings. Visitors can grab a margarita (to-go, with a special license), hop on a water taxi, enjoy a river cruise, or catch a live show.
If you're looking for proof that thoughtful urban design fosters tourism, community, and culture, this is it. Richmond has the bones—our Canal Walk simply needs the muscle.
Key Takeaways for Richmond:
Build more restaurants and hotels directly on the Canal Walk
Explore allowing to-go drinks in regulated zones
Consider a water taxi service between major nodes like Brown’s Island and 17th Street
Create meaningful public spaces, like a “marriage island” or performance pier
And yes, one day—dream big with a rooftop pool
Each of these cities showed me what’s possible when urban planning meets creative vision. Aside from Dallas (which still has the Katy Trail), every city I visited featured a riverfront trail, reminding me just how essential it is for Richmond to complete our Riverfront Plan.
Next week I head east to Savannah, with a few stops along the way. Stay tuned for the next recap, and follow the tour at #SGT26 and the research thread at #RVAred. You can find me on all socials as @thebowtieddj, and don’t forget to grab tickets for the Finale Show on Aug. 1 at Capital Ale House Music Hall—supporting Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity.