Building a Safer, Stronger Richmond: Historic Protections, Downtown Growth, and Community Investment
- Voice !t Staff
- Jan 9
- 4 min read
Richmond is kicking off 2026 with a powerful wave of legislative action aimed at preserving our city's unique character while simultaneously investing in a safer, more vibrant future for all residents. This week, our city leaders convened for two pivotal meetings—the City Planning Commission on January 6 and the Education and Human Services Standing Committee on January 8—to set the tone for the year ahead.
The energy in City Hall is palpable as commissioners and committee members work to balance rapid development with community needs. From protecting our cherished historic landmarks to allocating significant funds for violence prevention, the decisions made this week demonstrate a commitment to thoughtful progress.
If you are looking for the headlines, here are the top three takeaways you need to know:
Strengthened protections for our historic landmarks to prevent unauthorized demolition.
Major steps toward redevelopment of City Center to boost our downtown economy.
Over $1.1 million in funding recommended for gun violence prevention and community safety initiatives.
Let’s dive into the details of these meetings and explore exactly how these decisions will benefit our neighborhoods and local businesses.
Preserving Our Heritage and Revitalizing Downtown
One of the most significant moves for our local culture came from the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve ORD. 2025-265. This amendment establishes specific civil penalties for the unauthorized razing, demolition, or moving of historic landmarks.
For residents who cherish Richmond’s architectural history, this is a major win. It signals that the city is serious about retaining the charm and history that make our neighborhoods unique, ensuring that development does not come at the cost of our heritage.
Simultaneously, the Commission looked toward the future of our economic landscape by moving forward with the City Center Redevelopment (ORD. 2025-266). This action declares approximately 3.010 acres at 500 North 10th Street as surplus property, paving the way for it to be conveyed to the Economic Development Authority.
The vision here is exciting: a transit-oriented, mixed-use project that promises to breathe new life into the downtown corridor. For small business owners and downtown residents, this redevelopment signifies potential for new customers, modernized spaces, and a more walkable, connected city center.
Investing in Neighborhood Vitality and Housing
Beyond the big-ticket downtown items, the Planning Commission approved a flurry of Special Use Permits (SUPs) that directly support housing diversity and small business growth across the city.
In a boost for housing availability, the Commission gave the green light to a multifamily project at 2301 Fairmount Avenue that will create up to 17 new units. Additionally, they approved smaller-scale residential projects on North 32nd Street and North 33rd Street, ensuring a mix of housing options for different family sizes.
Commercial vibrancy was also on the agenda. The Commission approved a permit for 406 Brook Road, which will house a mix of retail, jewelry repair/manufacturing, and a restaurant featuring outdoor dining. Similarly, a new mixed-use space at 3013 and 3015 N Street was approved to include a commissary kitchen, office space, and social service delivery. These approvals are fantastic news for the local economy; they create hubs where neighbors can gather, eat, and work, fostering a tighter-knit community fabric.
Prioritizing Safety and Public Health
On Thursday, the Education and Human Services Standing Committee took decisive action to support the well-being of our families and youth. The committee forwarded ORD. 2025-275 to the City Council with a recommendation for approval.
This ordinance is a game-changer for public safety. It proposes transferring $1,100,000.00 from the "Safer Communities" fund to specific, actionable initiatives. Specifically, $600,000.00 is designated for the "Safer Communities - YWCA" fund, and $500,000.00 is allocated to "Safer Communities - Next Up". By funneling these resources directly into the Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Framework, the city is taking a proactive, community-based approach to safety.
Furthermore, the committee addressed the opioid crisis by recommending approval for ORD. 2025-277. This authorizes a Regional Cooperative Partnership Agreement between Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield to launch a recovery academy initiative funded by the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority. This regional collaboration highlights a mature, cooperative approach to public health, ensuring that those struggling with addiction have access to the support they need to recover.
Listening to the Community and Infrastructure Planning
Finally, it is important to note that our city leaders are listening to public feedback. A request for an outdoor event space at 1705 Commonwealth Avenue faced significant opposition during the Planning Commission meeting, with 19 speakersvoicing concerns against it. Consequently, the Commission voted to recommend denial of the request, proving that resident voices play a crucial role in shaping neighborhood dynamics.
Looking at infrastructure, the Commission also forwarded the concept review for the Mayo Bridge Replacement (UDC 2026-01) to the Urban Design Committee. As a critical connector between Manchester Road and Dock Street, this replacement project is vital for the future of our city's transit network, and we look forward to seeing the design progress.
Moving Forward Together
This week was a testament to Richmond’s resilience and ambition. We are seeing a holistic approach to governance that values our past through historic preservation while aggressively funding a safer, more prosperous future. Whether it is through creating new housing, supporting small businesses on Brook Road, or investing over a million dollars in youth safety, the momentum is undeniably positive.
Several of these items, including the gun violence prevention funding and the recovery academy initiative, have been forwarded to the January 12, 2026, Council meeting for final approval.
What can you do?
Stay engaged! We encourage all residents to review the agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting on January 12 to see these policies cross the finish line. Your engagement builds a better Richmond.