Richmonders and history books alike will tell you the same story: this capital city is steeped in a rich history and tradition that is unparalleled anywhere else in the country. From its early roots as hunting, fishing, and trading grounds for the Powhatan tribe, to its official founding in 1737 by William Byrd II and thereafter, Richmond has a long-standing reputation for being a hub for commerce, culture, and business expansion.

Fast forward almost 200 years to the beginning of the twentieth century. Richmond’s population had soared to 85,000, making it the most densely populated city in the southern United States. As the 20th century steamed ahead, great strides were being made in terms of the city’s business, economic and cultural expansion. In 1903, African-American businesswoman and financier Maggie L. Walker chartered St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, now called the Consolidated Bank and Trust Company; in 1914, Richmond became the headquarters of the Fifth District of the Federal Reserve Bank; in 1925, with WRVA’s on-air debut, the city entered into the radio broadcasting era; in the mid-twenties, a spattering of cultural venues, including the Mosque, the Loew’s Theater and the Byrd Theater, broke ground. Notably, WTVR, a CBS affiliate, was the first television station to be launched south of the Mason-Dixon line in 1948. Richmond continued to grow and evolve over the course of the 20th century, ushering in a profitable era of progress and urban development.

After the accelerated expansion of business and of its city limits seen in the first half of the century, Richmond was feeling growing pains. There was beginning to be a need to grow vertically in addition to laterally. The mid-sixties saw the construction of over 700 buildings, contributing to a “downtown boom,” and, subsequently, the onset of magnified urban erosion and socioeconomic crises.

Like many other cities in the United States, Richmond was forced to face a set of common dilemmas and challenges that were ailing the area and its residents: water and air pollution, outdated roads and sewage systems, traffic congestion, deficiency in affordable housing and more.

For centuries–even before the onset of the modern era–there has been a stark correlation between urbanization and crime. In the 1980s and 1990s, the city’s crime rate skyrocketed, particularly the homicide rate. In 1985, a total of 93 murders were committed in Richmond, resulting in a murder rate of 41.9 killings per 100,000 residents. In a horrifying turn of events, Richmond’s murder rate continued to spike over the next decade to a chilling 59.1 killings per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Richmond received the unwelcome reputation for being one of the most dangerous cities in the country.

Violent crimes were not the only worrisome menace within the city limits. Richmond residents were afraid to walk the streets of downtown, especially at night. With poor street lighting, limited parking, and a far less commercial landscape than modern day downtown, walking the streets at night was dangerous, and invited almost guaranteed trouble. In addition, many downtown buildings had become abandoned or decrepit over the years, rendering them at least unsightly and at most, dangerous. Outsiders, including other Virginians, gave Richmond the distasteful nickname of the “Armpit of the South.”

However, with the implementation of tougher laws and the extremely successful Project Exile in the 1990s, as well as the completion of the city’s floodwall in 1995, things began to turn around in Richmond. For small business owners to Fortune 500 companies, the downtown area of Richmond began to feel safe again. By 2008, Richmond’s crime rate had fallen to its lowest since 1971, moving the city down Morgan Quitno Press’ list as 5th most dangerous city to 49th.

In addition, the Richmond City Police department has also implemented a Direct Patrol campaign which has significantly improved downtown safety. The Department uses historical information, times of events, volume of people and type of crime to direct officers to a specific location. “Each officer then acts in a proactive way to deter crime. Contacts with individuals in the community either lead to an arrest of a wanted person or information received that allows us to identify suspects and then make quick arrests,” said Lieutenant Hamlet Hood.

For the city’s gourmands and oenophiles, Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom became the go-to place to eat, drink and be merry. Cary Street and Main Street, dotted with cozy restaurants and bars, transformed the Richmond nightlife scene.

Since the 1990s, downtown Richmond has become a buzzing hub of business and pleasure due to several factors. With increased police presence and lighting, lower crime rates, and a more commercialized feel, downtown Richmond feels safer. It feels like home again. In addition, beautification and renovation of the city’s buildings and hotels, parks, academic campuses, and commercial districts was largely made possible due to the generous contributions of corporations and individuals who were despaired at the current state of the downtown region.

The Richmond Police Department is to be commended for increased public relations and awareness campaigns, which have contributed greatly to the major improvement of the downtown landscape. The Department has become increasingly accessible to the public through their website and social media efforts, allowing residents in the city limits to stay informed, up-to-date, and most importantly, safe. Lieutenant Hood says that the increased use of technology and social media allows the community to feel like they are part of the solution. “I’ve been around since the time when we were reliant upon the postal service to receive concerns from the community, and they would have to wait for a written response. This led to frustration and the appearance of detachment by the police,” said Lieutenant Hood. “Social media and, in particular, e-mail, allows for real time information sharing, which enhances trust and comfort.”

Other city officials and community leaders have worked hard to change the landscape of downtown Richmond for the better. With the unveiling of new cultural centers like CenterStage, business expansion towards Rocketts Landing, greater efforts to clean up streets and sidewalks, and more, downtown Richmond has not only become a safer and cleaner place to be, it’s become an inviting area to frequent for business and for pleasure.

Richmond’s residents, police force, city officials and community leaders have worked hard to enhance and improve their beloved city. Though Richmond’s fragile downtown still faces challenges and crises – much like any metropolitan area – with continued efforts and dedication, downtown Richmond and beyond will continue to grow, flourish, and welcome tourists and new residents with each coming year. “We are now experiencing a more ‘we’ mentality,” said Lieutenant Hood. “That developed trust is making the whole community safer.”

Richmonders old and new: Welcome home.