RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Brown’s Island officially closed to the public as a $30 million improvement project got underway with a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.

The renovation is expected to take about 11 months, with the goal of reopening the site in time for Richmond’s popular events like the Folk Festival and the marathon finish line.

Donors celebrated the groundbreaking as the project officially began — something they have been waiting for since 2018.

When finished, visitors can expect potable water stations, real bathrooms, a new pavilion and a splash pad.

CoStar announced it will open restaurants to the public along the riverfront as well.

“We’ll be removing the invasive species, planting more native species. But people will be able to stand on the south side of the island and

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