City offers to replace RPS land, pay for relocation if it turns over Southside site for mixed-use development
After a few months of back-and-forth between city and public school leaders, Richmond’s top appointed official made his case to the Richmond School Board for why they should give up a Southside property for the development of a mixed-use neighborhood.
City Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II told Board members at a Monday meeting that the project would serve as an opportunity, not just for residents in the city but for future graduates of Richmond Public Schools.
“Our biggest economic development opportunity is the skilled workforce that you create,” he told members in his first visit to the 17th floor meeting room. “What you’re doing with the investment that you’re receiving from both the city and the state and how you manage your resources really come up with some historical outcomes. But it doesn’t really do much if we don’t have a place for those folks to be housed.”
Sarah Vogelsong
The project would transform a former industrial area sitting on a city-owned parcel located at 1240 Ingram Avenue into a large-scale plan that includes housing for various income levels and space for businesses. Donald said it aligns with the Richmond 300 master plan for growth in the city, making it “a very important economic development opportunity.”
But in order for this to be possible, Board members would need to forgo the 1501 Commerce Road property that sits on the parcel, which currently houses RPS’ facilities maintenance, school nutrition and contracted bus services. The city originally leased the land to RPS for $1 a year in exchange for land previously owned by the division to support the development of the Diamond District.
After the property is returned, the city would further transfer it to Harper Associates, a Richmond-based developer who made an unsolicited offer to the city in February 2024 to execute the project, Donald said.
To further convince the Board to agree, Donald presented a drafted conditional resolution that would require the city and developer to find a replacement property for the division’s operations within two years, a request previously made by some Board members. If the property is not located and approved by the Board during that time frame, “this resolution shall be null and void.”
Victoria A. Ifatusin
Board members were more receptive to the proposal this time around, a contrast from when conversations first began on the matter. Members were taken back when Harper Associates presented the proposal last December, saying that they were unaware and unready to make a decision, although it was not required of the governing body at the time.
“We started off in a very rocky process. I think the way things were first presented … there wasn’t a lot of planning involved,” said Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez (9th District).
Wesley Hedgepeth (4th District) told Donald, “Your presentation is a significant juxtaposition to the surprise that we received in December.”
In February, Director of Economic Development Angie Rodgers met with the Board’s Facilities and Vacant Property Committee to discuss what the division might need in order to move forward. The concern then was that the division would not have another location to accommodate RPS’ operations.
But despite the eased-up tensions, Board members still had questions for Donald at Monday’s meeting, including who would be responsible for finding the replacement property, where costs would come from, and more specific details of the plan.
In response to a question from Vice Chair Matthew Percival (1st District) about the actual process for finding an alternative location, Donald said there are potential similar sites as the 5-acre property, but added that it would be “improper” to share the exact locations in a public meeting because it would make prices skyrocket.
Donald further told members that Harper Associates will be responsible for finding the replacement property and covering relocation costs for the division, while the city will oversee those operations, work closely with the division and make any adjustments as needed.
The project, and future ones, should ultimately serve as an opportunity to provide more funding to Richmond schools, said Emmett Jafari (8th District), who serves the district where part of the site resides. He believes that developers should also be responsible for the modernization of school buildings, as their projects will bring in more families to the area, further impacting school capacity.
“I think it’s only fair that we demand and have it in the process that a certain percentage of whatever they’re paying for in the overall development goes towards schools, so that we have schools that are built, so that we can make the necessary repairs without going out to the citizens as paupers and beggars,” he said.
Southside schools are already overcapacity, Fernandez added, as some schools require trailers to teach more students.
Sarah Vogelsong
Anne Holton (6th District) appeared to be the only member who expressed immediate support for the project, saying that lawyers have reviewed the proposal and are “satisfied that our interests are protected.” Part of the property is also within her district, she said, and residents have shared that “they’re all excited” about the proposal.
“They’ve worked with Harper Associates and have found them very good to work with and I’m on board,” she said.
Fernandez said that the Board does believe that opportunities for housing are important in the city, and is in support of expanding such, “but we wanted to ensure we had a place to land in this process.”
“What we have been looking for is a level of transparency,” she told Donald.
“We’re starting this process with you together,” he said. “I hope this has been transparent and we have come forward in a way that’s appropriate.”
The School Board is expected to vote on the resolution on May 12. The Board would vote again to potentially surplus the property after the city and Harper Associates find a replacement property.
Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org
