March 6 Newsletter: Code refresh rage
Weather: Pleasant days continue through the weekend. High of 75 today.
On this date in 1968, the city estimates it will cost $15.6 million for a new 14-story City Hall structure. (At the time, city government worked out of the Old City Hall building next to the Capitol.)
At charged meeting, Trammell calls for citizen commission to rethink code refresh
City Councilor Reva Trammell is proposing that a new commission of residents be put together to advise the City Council on Richmond’s overhaul of its 1970s-era zoning code, a process known as code refresh.
A 9-minute video that kicked off the meeting laid out the Civic League’s case against the rezoning initiative, warning that it would accelerate gentrification and raise property taxes, among other concerns.
- Many of the concerns raised, including parking minimums and accessory dwelling units, are issues that have already been addressed by Council action.
In a statement to The Richmonder on Thursday night, Mayor Danny Avula defended the current approach, saying that “stopping or delaying this process won’t create more homes for more people — it will do the opposite.” Read more here.
Avula announces $8.2 million proposed increase to RPS budget, short of $12 million ask
Just two days after the Richmond School Board voted to request an additional $12 million from the city, Mayor Danny Avula announced he will propose giving $8.2 million extra instead.
The School Board had voted earlier in the week to restore the Richmond Virtual Academy despite indications there would not be enough money to fund it. The announcement also all but finalizes the reduction of 46 central office employees. Read more here.
READ MORE: Virtual academy teachers rally outside meeting
'We are not digital': Chesterfield bookstore celebrates 40 years of not keeping up with the times
A mother and daughter bought the store in 2020 after promising to keep the same system and to not to take it online, a promise they’re still keeping.
After 40 years in business, the Book Exchange still doesn't have books digitally inventoried or available to purchase online. Inventory comes from used books that people bring in for store credit. Read more here.
City launches ‘pothole blitz’ on roads savaged by winter weather
DPW Director Bobby Vincent said the goal is to fill about 200 potholes daily, with five to six crews dispersed every day to different neighborhoods. At the same time, the department will restripe faded crosswalks to make sure they remain visible.
Richmond residents are urged continue reporting the potholes they find through the RVA311 platform. Read more here.
In other news
- These roads will close Saturday morning for the half marathon
- Varina boys basketball advances to state semis with win
- Amtrak launching express bus service between Metro Richmond and D.C. (Henrico Citizen)
- Mayor Avula calls Diamond District "pretty good bet" despite risk (Axios)
- Premiering at the Byrd, "Granite" tells the story of a displaced Richmond community (Style Weekly)
The editor's desk
Much of the reporting from this week's school board meeting said that the Richmond Virtual Academy had been saved. Our reporter, Victoria A. Ifatusin, noted that the vote only had impact if City Hall agreed to add extra money – which was unlikely given previous indicators from the mayor. These are complicated discussions, and we're committed to following the whole story, rather than just jumping in at big moments without context.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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