The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners voted 6-3 on Wednesday to reject a resolution that would have led to the transfer of ownership of the Gilpin Court neighborhood.

Under the terms of the proposed resolution, the phased transfer of the property would begin “only after addressing the major governance concerns raised by” Mayor Danny Avula and would follow the Jackson Ward Community Plan. A letter of approval from Avula would also be required as part of the redevelopment process.

The board tabled the resolution after a long discussion and public comments on the resolution during the meeting at RRHA headquarters, as officials and residents supporting the proposal stressed the need to move forward to ensure the redevelopment’s success.

“I believe that it is imperative that we take action now,” RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith said.

Officials and residents opposed to the resolution questioned the quick nature of the process and the effect of the proposal if approved. They called for a delay on the vote, more clarity on the proposal and community involvement.

These criticisms and others led to the introduction of a substitute motion by board member Kyle Elliott to table the resolution.

Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press 

Kyle Elliott, a member of the RRHA Board of Commissioners, listens as Steven Nesmith discusses a resolution he introduced for a vote during the RRHA Board of Commissioners meeting on Wednesday night, Sept. 17. Elliott voiced opposition to voting on the resolution during the meeting.

 

A motion for the board to support Nesmith’s continued negotiations with City Council and Avula to get their support on Gilpin’s redevelopment and Section 18 application was more successful. Board members voted 5-2, with Elliott abstaining, to approve it despite questions raised about its necessity.

“What we voted on tonight is very important,” Nesmith said after the vote, adding that he welcomed the chance to ensure a more transparent negotiation and redevelopment process. “It says affirmatively that this board supports me. I feel empowered.”

The board’s vote came months after a similar resolution was rejected 5-4 in April. 

In the days leading up to the meeting, questions arose between Richmond leaders and RRHA over the planned redevelopment. 

Last Thursday, Avula released a statement on RRHA’s plans for Gilpin, outlining eight action items he said would be necessary for him to endorse the redevelopment. 

“If we are serious about building a Richmond that truly thrives together, then we must be just as thoughtful about how we engage as we are about the outcomes we seek,” Avula said. 

Avula’s action items called for greater transparency and the inclusion of Gilpin residents and their representatives in the redevelopment process. He also urged RRHA to delay transferring Gilpin to the Richmond Development Corporation, its nonprofit subsidiary, until major concerns about RDC’s governance structure are addressed. 

The new language in the proposed resolution seemed to reflect some of Avula’s requirements, including RRHA’s use of the Jackson Ward Community Plan as guidance for Gilpin’s redevelopment. 

The board’s vote also occurred a day after Richmond’s Land Use, Housing and Transportation (LUHT) Standing Committee was set to consider a resolution focused on RRHA that was introduced in July by 3rd District Council member Kenya Gibson. 

The ordinance, which would have declared that the council had not authorized Gilpin’s redevelopment and barred any redevelopment without its approval, was withdrawn by Gibson just hours before the meeting.