Lakeside Avenue could become Henrico's new "Garden District"

Driving the news: Last week, Henrico officials held meetings with nearly 400 residents and business owners to talk about the future of Lakeside Avenue, per the RTD.

• The plan is still in the early stages, but some ideas call for narrowing the road, adding bike lanes, planting trees and improving sidewalks.
• There could be an archway welcoming people to the district, a grocery store, more visible crosswalks and updated zoning to allow duplexes and storefronts with apartments stacked above them.
• Among the bigger proposed changes: moving the Lakeside Farmers Market and using that space as a "town square" for community events.

Zoom in: Residents were both intrigued and divided.

• Per the Henrico Citizen, resident Tiffany Royall said, "I don't want to make Lakeside another Carytown."
• Some worried about actually executing the plan and pushback from property owners, while others called it a much-needed change that might address speeding drivers.

What's next: Henrico officials said a draft of the plan will be released next month, with a final version sent to the Planning Commission by next fall.