Public survey runs through December 3, alongside listening sessions with future tenants and neighboring civic associations

RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 9, 2026 – Diamond District Partners (DDP) launched a public survey today inviting Richmonders to share what they hope to see in the Diamond District’s signature sculpture, which will be created by Richmond artist Mickael Broth. The survey is open through December 3, 2026, and can be taken using this link: https://bit.ly/sculpturesurvey

Broth, a muralist and sculptor, was selected in July by the Diamond District Signature Sculpture Artist Selection Panel after a request for qualifications drew submissions from 15 artists from across the country. He has not yet begun designing the piece and wants to hear from the community before he develops a concept.

The sculpture will stand at the intersection of two new streets, Encore Avenue and Diamond View Drive, near the Center Field entrance to CarMax Park, where it will anchor the northern end of the Diamond District’s first public green space. Located east of the ballpark, the green space will also include an event lawn and an all-ages play area. The green space is scheduled to open in late 2027.

“I’ll be reading the responses myself. Tell me what makes you smile, what feels like Richmond, and what you’d want to bring a friend to see,” said Broth. “I’m asking for our community’s input, because I hope this piece will be something that everyone who experiences the work can connect with on some level. My dream is that the words of our neighbors will be the inspiration for designing a piece of public art that is super approachable, interactive, and serves as a new landmark of joy for our city.”

The survey takes just a few minutes and is open to everyone, including neighbors, baseball fans and anyone interested in Richmond’s public art. A short video introducing the project, the site and Broth’s previous work is available to watch on the RVA Diamond District YouTube page.

Alongside the survey, Broth is holding listening sessions with the people who will see the sculpture every day. These include the Diamond District’s future tenants and property owners and the civic associations for the neighborhoods closest to the Diamond District.

“This sculpture will be one of the first things people see when they arrive in the Diamond District, and it should feel like it belongs to Richmond,” said Maritza Pechin, Director of Development for Thalhimer Realty Partners. “Hearing from our future tenants, our neighbors and the wider community gives Mickael what he needs to create something joyful and memorable.”

The community engagement process is managed by Natasha Powell of Edith Grey LLC. Broth will use the community’s input to develop the sculpture’s design. Fabrication will follow, with installation anticipated in late 2027.

About Mickael Broth
Mickael Broth, also known as The Night Owl, is a Richmond-based artist, muralist, sculptor and writer. He has painted hundreds of public murals across Richmond, the United States and Europe since 2012 and serves on the board of directors of the RVA Street Art Festival. A past recipient of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Professional Fellowship, his sculptural work includes his first public commission, at the Hull Street Branch of the Richmond Public Library, and The Hole Truth at the Valentine. Mickael Broth

About Diamond District Partners
Diamond District Partners (DDP) is the master developer behind the Diamond District, led by Thalhimer Realty Partners (TRP). Thalhimer Realty Partners is a Richmond-based real estate investment firm with a portfolio of more than $1.4 billion in commercial and multifamily assets, built on decades of experience acquiring, developing, and managing multifamily, retail, office, and industrial properties. DDP was formed to bring that experience directly to the Diamond District, carrying the project from land transfer through delivery. TRP is headquartered in Richmond, VA, with assets located throughout the Southeast Region. Thalhimer Realty Partners

About the Diamond District
The Diamond District is a new mixed-income neighborhood taking shape around a new series of public green spaces and Richmond’s minor league ballpark. The redevelopment of the site is a public-private partnership between the City of Richmond, the Richmond Economic Development Authority (EDA), and DDP. As the master developer, DDP oversees the development of the public infrastructure and the private development at the Diamond District. (Note that DDP did not develop the new minor league baseball stadium. The stadium was developed via a public-private partnership agreement between the EDA and the baseball team ownership group.)

Over the next 10-15 years, the 67-acre site will transform from a 1980s baseball stadium with surface parking lots into a new mixed-use community anchored by a new park and a new stadium. DDP hosted the public infrastructure groundbreaking in April 2025. By 2028, seven new uses will be complete or nearly complete: 2.23 acres of new public green spaces, a 146-key hotel by Kalyan Hospitality, a 276-unit market-rate apartment building with 453-space parking garage by DDP, a 161-unit workforce housing development by Pennrose/Nix, a 115,000 square foot office building by DDP, a 20,000 square foot retail building by DDP, and a new baseball stadium by the team. By 2029 you will be able to live, work, play, shop/dine, and stay in the Diamond District. DDP looks forward to welcoming you and hopes you will find your home base at the Diamond District. Learn more about the Diamond District at Diamond District

About the Diamond District Signature Sculpture Artist Selection Panel
The Signature Sculpture Artist Selection Panel led the selection of the artist for the signature sculpture commission. The Panel included Monica Kinsey (City of Richmond Public Art Secretary), Sir James Thornhill (Diamond District Public Art Director), Maritza Pechin (Diamond District Partners), Jill Nolt (Water Street Studio), Jordan Roeder (VisArts Executive Director, Public Art Commission Member), Silly Genius (artist, Public Art Commission Member), Paul DiPasquale (sculptor), Jessica Bell Brown (Institute for Contemporary Art Executive Director at VCU), Phil Crosby (Greater Scott’s Addition Association Vice President), Grady Hart (former Rosedale Civic Association President), and Will Massie (local business owner of McKinnon and Harris).

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