Students groups at Sweet Briar and Randolph present Clay Street reservoir redesign ideas [Video]

After working for nearly two months to redesign the historic decommissioned 3.75 million-gallon reservoir downtown, which has been out of commission for about 20 years, two student groups — one at Randolph College and one at Sweet Briar College — got a chance to present their new designs to judges, faculty and members of the city at the Virginian Hotel Ballroom Thursday night.

Hollie Jennings, the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, said the presentations were fantastic.

“They far exceeded any type of expectations I had,” Jennings said. “The judges really struggled over making their final scores, it was a really tough call between the two teams.”

Lynchburg City Manager Wynter Benda said he was blown away by both groups’ presentations and design proposals.

“To work hard, in their already busy semesters, to come out and present on an evening, I’m just very proud,” Benda said.

There were three students …