Right Around the River Blog

James River Association Rocks the River at Rocketts Landing

Post Date: 04-21-2014

Boy, oh boy — what an effect location can make on a business! When RVA-based nonprofit James River Association decided to move their headquarters from downtown to Rocketts Landing, they knew their immediate James River proximity would be a perfect fit. But, fast forward to spring 2014, and their new location has already become a defining factor enabling them to create greater impact and outreach. From office expansions to river trips to "store front" walk-ins and beyond, James River Association (JRA) is rocking the river at Rocketts Landing in more ways than one!


James River Association's headquarters at Rocketts Landing feature an art-filled entrace.

New Office Locations

Before JRA moved to Rocketts Landing, they were nestled in the middle of downtown, removed from easy James River access and public awareness. Today, while JRA operates their headquarters out of Rocketts Landing, they have also successfully added two satellite-office locations: Williamsburg and Lynchburg.

By expanding their storefront locations both up and down the river, JRA now has an easier ability to focus outreach efforts across the James River's entire upper- and lower stretches — and their river location and direct access to Route 5 have made this further possible for them. (Employees can even bypass the traditional commute and boat directly from Rocketts Landing down to their Williamsburg office on their river highway). With the help of some dedicated RiverKeepers and Outreach Coordinators, such as Jameson Brunkow and Christianna Tambone, JRA's easier river access and expansion is helping them launch oyster restorations, create new public access points to the river, offer free public paddling tours and beyond.


Teleconferencing with JRA's satellite offices to keep up with James River developments is essential and easy at their new office!

"For a 37-year-old organization, moving from Mechanicsville to downtown to, now, literally on the river is defining what we want to do: Be river centric, and have these locations throughout the watershed," explains Ryan Corrigan, director of marketing and development. "Also, our ability to teleconference with both locations is incredible and made our Rocketts Landing space workable in a way we've not had before."

Increased Outreach Awareness & Engagement

Having a storefront with immediate community visibility has also increased the public's awareness of JRA. For the first time, they have frequent visitor walk-ins from people strolling by who see the JRA office. They also already have had Rocketts Landing residents, such as Sharon and Tom Pickard, notice JRA's headquarters here and seek them out to become members of their organization and dedicated RiverRats (which means they are now actively responsible for monitoring the James River's health).

JRA's signature replica sturgeon fills the office as the perfect mascot.

Their Rocketts Landing location has enabled them to connect with other RVA organizations hosting events at our community who want to partner. Ryan said he knows their location is a direct link to these new relationships. We've heard before that when businesses move to Rocketts Landing, they experience storefront visits and public engagement in ways they've never had happen before. So, hearing JRA share similar details puts a smile on our face!

Convenient Docking for Their Vintage Pontoon Boat 

Also, for the first time, JRA is now able to own and operate a vintage pontoon boat from their headquarters. Docked at the Rocketts Landing marina, the "SydnaJane" is a 23-foot skiff built by Willard Norris of Deltaville, and this wooden, vintage vessel enables JRA to use a boat in RVA for outreach efforts, donor visits and more.

JRA Director of Marketing & Development Ryan Corrigan checking out their boat the "SydnaJane."

Bike-Friendly Office Meetings

When JRA was moving into Rocketts Landing, one of the new office details they were happy about was their decision to purchase bikes for employees to use whenever they want to bike the short distance into downtown for meetings or to grab a lunch. And, true to their vision, they have achieved their biking-friendly goal and were happy to report that not only did they land the bikes to have on-hand at the office, but that their employees are indeed using them to ride into RVA downtown! And with the Virginia Capital Trail soon building its way through our community, JRA is also excited about being able to enjoy the trail right outside of their doorsteps.

More on the Horizon

JRA has many other exciting developments in the works, such as plans to do Rocketts Landing–community-focused engagement and happy hours for our residents and businesses. They also are about to launch a 360-degree mapping tour of the 340-mile-long James River, which is the first time in the country an entire river will be mapped in its entirety with 360-degree panoramic pictures. Using a custom-made pontoon boat rigged with six cameras, they will take shots every 30 feet to create the complete view of the James River for people to tour online.

Friendly, dedicated JRA staff welcome you to their headquarters at Rocketts Landing.

So, the next time you stroll through our community, be sure to check out the James River Association at Rocketts Landing. Filled with great people working for a great cause, we're certain you'll leave their office loving the James River — and all who look after her — with newfound appreciation. We're happy to hear of JRA's success at Rocketts Landing and look forward to sharing more updates throughout the year!