June 8 Newsletter: A pint-sized portfolio

Weather: Summer is here for good. High of 86.

On this date in 1945, Virginia’s Supreme Court rules that interstate buses passing through are still subject to the state’s laws, which required Black riders to sit in separate areas. The court upheld a fine for a Black woman who refused to give up her seat and was arrested.

Today's newsletter sponsored by the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, offering legal help to qualifying city residents in certain housing matters. Learn more here.

Developer uses city's ADU law to build 100 backyard cottages

Granny flats. In-law suites. Backyard cottages. We’re still not quite sure what to call them, but they’re starting to pop up all over Richmond.

Developer Frank Cava is using the law to create pint-sized houses as an affordable, efficient way to grow his rental portfolio and boost housing supply in the city.

His first unit listed for rent is on Fairfax Avenue off Richmond Highway. It’s priced at $1,609 a month and he accepts housing vouchers.

He said reactions so far have been split between “that’s way too small” and “that’s amazing.” Read more, and see one of the houses, here.

Mayor declares 'Anti-Displacement Week' in Richmond

As housing prices remain at record highs in Richmond and the region, Mayor Danny Avula’s administration has announced the city’s first Anti-Displacement Week.

The effort, which includes a lineup of information sessions and events from this Monday through Friday, aims to get more Richmonders aware of the programs and services the city offers to help residents who are at risk of being forced out of their homes due to rising costs. Learn more about those programs here.

After governor’s veto, Avula says Richmond is ‘better off’ with collective bargaining

The mayor upset some labor supporters this year by taking issue with a state bill that would have changed unionization rules for local government employees, but he emphasized recently that he believes collective bargaining has been a good thing for the city.

City Council will soon discuss changes to collective bargaining in Richmond, potentially giving unions greater power to negotiate over the general rules for promotions, transfers and filling job vacancies. Read more here.

One of the rarest copies of the Declaration of Independence is coming to Richmond

Ahead of the United States’ 250th birthday, one of the rarest surviving copies of the Declaration of Independence is now on display at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

Because this copy is printed on paper rather than parchment, and because it bears the visible imprint of the copperplate, scholars say it is likely one of just six test versions created ahead of a parchment run in 1823. Read more here.

What are the parking rules for public meetings at City Hall? The city is looking into it

The combo of hourly time limits and unpredictable meeting lengths means going to a public meeting to engage with the local government can cost a few bucks and the risk of a $30 parking ticket.

After an inquiry from The Richmonder, a spokesperson said the city is reviewing its policies on parking near City Hall during public meetings.

“Historically, parking enforcement has been suspended around City Hall during City Council meetings,” he said. “The city is currently reviewing this practice.”

“Coming to do any kind of business downtown should be free,” one Councilor said. Read more here.

Coverage of spring sports state tournaments

• Varina freshman turns heads, wins titles at state track meet
• 'Confident and humble,' Hanover boys and girls prevail in state lacrosse quarterfinals
• James River wins region baseball title with come-from-behind victory
• Matoaca scores in 1st, hangs on to win first region softball title

Today's sponsor:

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society

Are you a city of Richmond resident with a housing issue? The City of Richmond supports access to legal help for city residents with certain housing matters. CVLAS provides free civil legal services to qualifying* households. If you live in the city of Richmond you can apply for free civil legal services involving certain housing issues such as eviction, foreclosure, housing voucher problems, lockouts, utility cutoffs, and self-help evictions, repairs, and unlawful detainer expungements. CVLAS can help!

*to qualify your household must meet federal income guidelines

In other news

• Former RPS employee’s defamation suit has its first hearing, but without her lawyer
  • “In truth, I was just down the hall,” he said of the mix-up.
• VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art opens installation inspired by 1865 burning of Richmond
  • The exhibition includes a “sweeping assemblage of charred Colonial-style cabinets.”
• Vehicle fires rise in Central Virginia as temperatures climb (12 on Your Side)
  • At least three have been reported in recent days from Chesterfield to Petersburg.

The editor's desk

The Valentine has a new exhibit, "Building a City," which includes replicas of famous Richmond landmarks. Some are built from Legos, though nobody has yet made a replica of the new Chesterfield Lego plant with Legos.

• Also, The Richmond Forum is still looking for volunteers to help set up for the National Speech and Debate Tournament this Thursday and Friday. Sign up here.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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