Oct. 19 Newsletter: Virginia Home redevelopment rejected
Weather: Fall weather reigns this week; high of 68.
On this date in 1993, Republican candidate for governor George Allen says a politician's religion should be a private matter in response to a $10,000 contribution from Pat Robertson.
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU Health
City Council rejection of 21-townhouse plan linked to Virginia Home leaves Randolph site in limbo
Richmond’s City Council overwhelmingly rejected a plan that would have built 21 market-rate townhouses in the Randolph neighborhood, with some members and residents expressing hope that affordable housing could be constructed on the site instead.
Councilor Andrew Breton (1st District) cautioned that “people may be holding out for another project that may never come,” noting that affordable developers did not express interest in the site.
His colleague Stephanie Lynch (5th District) warned that under the state’s new Faith in Housing legislation, the Virginia Home would have the right to develop affordable housing on the site without any public input on what it looked like and only minimal guardrails from the Planning Department. Read more here.
Photos: Maymont's Garden Glow returns with enhanced laser-light tunnel
This year marks the ninth edition of the Garden Glow event, which has become the park's largest annual fundraiser. See more photos here.
Ricky Irby pulls double duty as a football coach and AD. That's increasingly rare.
Thirty years ago, it was common, if not expected, for a school’s athletic director to also be a sitting head coach. But as years went by and schools began adding job responsibilities from events and activities outside of athletics, the dual role began to fade away.
At Hopewell, Irby arrives at school every day at 6:30 a.m., first fulfilling his role as the school’s in-car driving instructor before settling in for his larger role. Read more here.
ALSO IN SPORTS: Defense makes big plays for Petersburg in victory over Meadowbrook
Today's sponsor:
U.S. News & World Report names VCU Medical Center No. 1 hospital in Virginia
Virginia's best, and among the nation’s best. VCU Medical Center has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-2027.
U.S. News also recognized the medical center among the Top 50 in the nation for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery at No. 29, and orthopedics at No. 44. The publication also ranked VCU Medical Center No. 1 in the Richmond metro area for the 16th consecutive year. Read more here.
Last week's most-read stories
- Chesterfield Towne Center is getting a facelift, but won’t join other mixed-use makeovers
- A high school coach held football practice in blistering heat. What happened next nearly tore the team apart
- As EDA told Squirrels to vacate Diamond, officials gave VCU the option for new lease
- The largest croquet club in the world is nearby, and it's hosting the North American championships this weekend
- YWCA partially reopens Sprout School as parents call for a board investigation into operations
In other news
- Law enforcement is alerting public to escaped inmate from Chippenham Hospital (CBS 6)
- Law enforcement authorities are actively searching for an escaped inmate who fled custody Sunday night after receiving medical treatment at Chippenham Hospital.
- 2-year-old put administrator’s loaded gun in their mouth while at Richmond daycare (8News)
- The DSS said the incident wasn't reported for multiple days, and the daycare has previous violations.
- Wrongful death lawsuit filed against SwimRVA in drowning of 9-year-old King Overton (12 On Your Side)
- National civil rights attorney Ben Crump is part of the family’s legal team.
- Metzger announces they’ll be closing for good in December (RVAHub)
- "I’m sure it’s no surprise to other small business owners, but this year has been the nail in the coffin for us after years of changes and hardships post Covid."
The editor's desk
Friday's newsletter had two errors. The world's largest croquet club is in the Middle Peninsula, not the Northern Neck.
Also, an item about Chesterfield Towne Center's redevelopment incorrectly summarized a county planning commissioner's quote. He was referring to how developers have attempted to build mixed-use properties in the county, not weighing in on mixed-use itself.
We regret these errors and remain committed to keeping them to a minimum through our editing process, but will always correct them publicly and transparently when they occur.
Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org
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