Gilpin Court, located in Northside, has made news waves this past week, starting with a public art unveiling and followed by the approval of a long-awaited redevelopment plan.
Community gateway
A crowd of community members, along with Mayor Danny Avula, gathered at Gilpin Court this past Saturday, Dec. 13 to celebrate a new art installation.
Saturday’s installation event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from city leaders.
Photos by @mark_aloysious
The intricate cast-iron gateway, designed by local artist Barry O’Keefe, welcomes folks into Gilpin Community Farm. The decision to use cast iron was partially inspired by Richmond’s residential cast-iron porches, according to O’Keefe.
The installation also included additional seating structures with cast-iron designs similar to those of the gateway. Both reference natural elements and historical motifs honoring Gilpin residents, such as Charles S. Gilpin and Lillie Estes.
Collaborative redevelopment
Now, let’s switch over to the latest civic news. After months of back-and-forth, a redevelopment plan for Gilpin Court is officially underway.
For some background context, Mayor Danny Avula paused his endorsement of a Gilpin Court redevelopment plan back in September 2025.
The proposal was led solely by Richmond Redevelopment + Housing Authority (RRHA). Mayor Avula presented RRHA with a list of required revisions, but a new solution soon joined the conversation.
This week sparked forward motion: As of Tuesday, Dec. 16, the RRHA voted to approve a collaborative redevelopment model with the City of Richmond — a “joint governance structure” presented by Mayor Aluva. “To achieve our shared goals, the City and RRHA must work closely together,” said Mayor Avula.
The formal press release adds, “This transformation project will be one of the most significant efforts the City undertakes in the years ahead,” the press release adds.
What’s next? Finalizing agreements and addressing funding + required resources.
