A highly anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the Richmond RYSE Center’s major renovation and expansion project is set for this Friday afternoon.

The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the RYSE Center, 205 41st St. at Macdonald Avenue, according to the organization that has provided enriching programs to over 10,000 youth since 2008.

The new 37,000 square foot campus, which will expand RYSE’s youth program and partnership space by 225 percent, is set to open in the Spring of 2021.

In January, the Richmond Planning Commission approved of the design for the new campus, which involves renovating the organization’s existing 6,650 square-foot building and outdoor space at 205 41st Street, and also constructing a new two-story building and outdoor gardens in adjacent lots at 3939 and 3927 Bissell Ave.

Designed by Richmond youth and RYSE staff, RYSE Commons will feature “an art studio and exhibition space, teaching kitchen, black box theater, video and media production facilities, business center, spiritual healing space, maker space and pop-up shop, garden, community conference room and rooftop patio,” according to RYSE.

The campus “will be a hub for personal and political development, play, self expression, incubating new ideas, performance, art, launching businesses, exploring tech, youth organizing, and connecting with universities and partners,” RYSE stated.

Since 2008, RYSE has served over 10,000 young people. To learn more about the organization, visit its website here.