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City Council OKs $325M development replacing Public Safety Building
It’s official. The decaying Public Safety Building in Downtown is to be transformed during the next four years into a tax-and job-generating $325 million office-hotel-retail-child care complex linked to the Virginia Commonwealth University medical campus.
CoStar expansion a shining example
Tuesday was a banner day for Richmond as ground was broken on one of the biggest single private developments in city history.
With legislative control at stake, House of Delegates races take on more urgency
Can Democrats hold the Virginia House of Delegates after two years of control?
VSU eliminates debt for 1,200 students
At least 1,200 students attending Virginia State University no longer have to worry about the money they owe the school.
Outdoor concert venue booked for council approval
A 7,500-seat outdoor concert venue that will feature 25 to 30 concerts each season is likely headed to the Richmond riverfront.
VSU spring enrollment brings optimism
Enrollment at Virginia State University has dropped less than initially projected — good news for the school and a relief to Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, the interim president. The latest figures indicate nearly 4,500 students are en- rolled and validated as meet- ing their financial obligations. That’s about 130 students fewer than projected for the spring semester in the university’s budget. Earlier this month, Dr. Hammond and VSU’s board of visitors were advised that fewer than 4,250 students might be enrolled this semester. Dr. Hammond told the Free Press last week the higher enrollment means she will not have to consider additional personnel actions to balance the budget. After taking office Jan. 1, she ordered a freeze on hiring and other spending to stabilize finances and those freezes are still in place. She said the freezes should keep spending in line with revenue through the rest of the fiscal year.
City eyeing sale of parking operations to raise millions
City Hall has been considering using its parking operations as a way to raise $150 million for school construction, street paving, sidewalk development and other unaddressed capital needs. Norman D. Butts, the city’s top financial officer, confirmed that there have been discussions about awarding a long-term conces- sion to an undisclosed private group willing to pay big bucks for a 30- to 40-year concession to operate the city’s 20 parking lots and garages.
Plan for former Highland Park Catholic school building stalls
The plan to replace a vacant Catholic school on North Side with 80 affordable apartments is on hold as the nonprofit developer seeks to overcome opposition from neighborhood St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and nearby residents. The Free Press reported on the plan in early February, but the proposal has been stalled since an ordinance to support the work was sent to Richmond City Council for approval.
City doesn’t publicize exemption from trash fees for elderly, disabled renters
City Hall is quietly blocking elderly and disabled renters from receiving free trash and recycling services, the Free Press has learned — a benefit the city has offered for nearly 14 years and which currently is worth $23.79 a month or $285.48 a year.
Warning: Smoking may cause eviction
New smoke-free policy takes effect Aug.1 for all RRHA properties, including 4,000 public housing units in city
Residents of public housing in Richmond are facing a ban on smoking in three months.
Internet radio stations flourish locally from the comfort of home
Homes in South Richmond have quietly been turned into radio stations that broadcast music and other offerings to thousands of listeners.
RPS bus service for preschool program not in full operation
The free bus service that was supposed to drive more parents to enroll their 4-year-old children in a Richmond Public Schools preschool program has yet to fully materialize despite administrative promises.
Day care options opening for student virtual instruction
More lower cost day care options are starting to emerge for Richmond Public Schools students to attend virtual classes and relieving parents who must work or who feel ill-equipped to double as teachers.
Get out
Court-ordered RRHA evictions raising alarms in Creighton Court
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has quietly stopped leasing apartments in the Creighton Court public housing community in the East End that is earmarked for future redevelopment.
Va. SCLC lauds racist U.S. attorney general for civil rights work on anniversary of Dr. King’s death
Sending shockwaves through the civil rights community, leaders of the Virginia affiliate of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference used the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a co-founder of the national group, to honor what many would view as his nemesis, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Hammond’s contract extended at vsu
Dr. Pamela V. Hammond has agreed to spend an extra month as interim president of Virginia State University. The VSU Board of Visitors last week approved a one-month extension of Dr. Hammond’s contract that will keep her in place through Jan. 31.
‘We can no longer remain silent’
Coalition wants Bon Secours to increase investments in area’s poor communities
Sparked by a New York Times expose, a new coalition hopes to rally the East End community to pressure nonprofit Bon Secours Mercy Health to rebuild critical care services at Richmond Community Hospital and better meet the health needs of low-income communities.
Dr. Linwood Jacobs who opened doors for Black Greek organizations at UVA, dies at age 90
Additional roles included community college dean and Gilpin Court mental health provider
Dr. Linwood Jacobs is credited with spearheading the establishment of Black fraternities and sororities at the University of Virginia. And later he focused on student development as the dean of students at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and helped start a mental health services company based in Gilpin Court.
Righting grave wrongs
Virginia General Assembly approves funds for 2 area historic African-American cemeteries; state has been paying for upkeep of Confederate graves for 100 years
Two historic, but largely abandoned and bedraggled African-American cemeteries on Richmond’s eastern border with Henrico County are about to get state support.
Va. inmate wins religious freedom lawsuit
For more than three years, Alfonza H. Greenhill has persisted in battling Virginia prison policies that blocked him from practicing the strict Sufi branch of Islam.
