City Council approves redevelopment of Virginia Home into apartments
Richmond’s City Council on Monday approved the redevelopment of the 95-year-old Virginia Home on the edge of Byrd Park into apartments.
The decision, which was part of the package of uncontroversial legislation known as the consent agenda that the council considers every meeting, got the backing of all eight members present. Councilor Stephanie Lynch, whose 5th District includes the site, was absent.
The Virginia Home currently houses 130 adults with irreversible physical disabilities at the building between South Meadow and Hampton streets where the Byrd Park neighborhood borders Randolph.
Last year, the organization began building a new facility in Hanover County where it plans to move all of its residents and operations and consequently sought buyers for both the Byrd Park building and another vacant property on South Meadow Street.
Developer Audeo Partners proposed converting the facility into 131 apartments, of which 28 would be studios, 79 would be one-bedroom units and 24 would be two-bedroom units. The plan got the unanimous backing of the Planning Commission earlier this summer.
The redevelopment drew both concern and praise from the public Monday.
Randolph residents Claire Guthrie Gastañaga and Toni Mounce urged the City Council to delay the vote another month. While both said they were not opposed to the redevelopment of the building, they argued significant questions remained about the impact of the project as planned on parking, traffic and city infrastructure like water and sewer.
“I believe there is a better solution than the current proposal,” said Mounce.
Charlie Trochlil, another Randolph resident, spoke in favor of the plan, which he said would offer needed housing to 131 individuals and families.
“Folks are worried that there is not enough parking, not enough space in Randolph. … I think that Randolph does have space for new neighbors,” he said. “Welcoming them in will only make our neighborhood and city stronger.”
While the Byrd Park redevelopment is now cleared to move ahead, a separate proposal by Audeo to build townhomes on the vacant South Meadow Street lot owned by the Virginia Home remains unresolved.
Audeo’s initial plan for that 0.75-acre parcel called for the construction of 31 townhomes. That number has since been revised down to 21 in response to concerns from neighbors about putting too much pressure on an older neighborhood with narrow streets.
City Council is scheduled to take up that proposal Sept. 28.
Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at svogelsong@richmonder.org
