The headline from RTD says it all, “Forest Hill lake project finished under budget, early”. Much of this is not news to our faithful readers but nice to read.

Richmond finished the $1.7 million project with about $145,000 left in the bank, though some work remains to be done. New benches will be installed around the three-acre lake, along with new decorative lights. Views from the hill over the lake will be cleared and a footbridge installed over Reedy Creek to replace one that washed away five years ago. All of those improvements already are budgeted.

Debra McClane let me know that the new lamps should be going up in 3-4 weeks. Benches should follow. Repaving of the roadways is going to happen but no firm timeline is set. The bridge that was discussed here and here is in procurement so no timeline on that either but the wheels are moving so that is a good sign.

I am going to wrap this up with the following bits from the aritcle.

City officials plan to celebrate the lake’s restoration in the spring, but that doesn’t mean local residents have to wait to enjoy a treasure that many didn’t know they had.

“A whole generation has come up that didn’t know a lake was down there,” said Jonet Prevost-White, an engineer in the Richmond Department of Community Development. “They should know not only that a lake is down there, but how pretty it is.”