2037: A River City Odyssey

City provides updates on Richmond Master Plan

What will Richmond look like in 2037? | Photo by @takeone.aerial

Yesterday, city officials provided the Planning Commission with updates on where the city stands in hitting its 300th birthday goals — aka Richmond 300.

The award-winning master plan, “Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth,” was adopted in December 2020. It contains 17 goals, 73 objectives, and 415 strategies to achieve a citywide vision of innovation, sustainability, and equity by the time Richmond turns 300 in 2037.

The annual report provides updates on the plan’s six "Big Moves” — umbrella-type goals to move the city forward. Here’s some of the progress that’s been made for each move.

📍 Re-Write the Zoning Ordinance

The three proposed zoning changes that the city has been kicking around — eliminating parking minimums, revising short-term rental regulations, and permitting accessory dwelling units — are included here.

🏗 Re-Imagine Priority Growth Nodes

This includes ongoing neighborhood projects like the City Center Innovation District, Shockoe Small Area Plan, and Jackson Ward Community Plan. Pro tip: A “node” is a place where people and jobs are today or may be in the future.

🏡 Expand Housing Opportunities

Most of the priority growth node projects above include some form of housing expansion, but there’s also the Equitable and Affordable Housing Strategy, which was adopted last February.

🌳 Provide Greenways and Parks for All

The Fall Line Trail is coming soon, plus planning is underway for five parks in Southside and the Urban Forestry Master Plan.

🏙 Reconnect the City

See: Reconnect Jackson Ward, which recently applied for grant funding. This category also includes progress with transportation projects like Richmond Connects, the North South Pulse line, and some bridge replacement plans.

🏟 Realign City Facilities

The biggest update here is the progress with the Diamond District, which when complete will include a new baseball diamond. Plans are also ongoing for new community centers.

Check out the full report and let us know what city news matters to you by filling out the survey below.

What ongoing city projects are you most interested in?

A. Major developments
B. Transportation projects
C. Housing
D. Environmental and greenway updates

HELP US HELP YOU

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Pride in Black Voices: A Tribute to Frederick Douglass | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | RPL Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond | Free | Get immersed in the story of Frederick Douglass as told by the Virginia Opera.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Podium RVA’s Very Scary February | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Podium RVA, Richmond | $25-$50 | Join in this flash fiction competition for a chance to win prizes.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Catch Steven Spielberg’s action-adventure blockbuster on the big screen.

Friday, Feb. 24

Spring ’23 Season Premiere | Friday, Feb. 24 | 5-10 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Ring in spring at the ICA with the opening of “Navine G. Dossos: McLean” and the group exhibition “So it appears.”
Oops We Did It Again: A Britney Spears Dance Party | Friday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | The Broadberry, 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond | $15 | Dance til the world ends at this iconic party.*

Saturday, Feb. 25

Pet Expo to Benefit Henrico Humane Society | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond | $8-$10 | Bring the fam and your furry friends for a day of pet parades, races, contests, and silent auctions.
Black Book Expo | Saturday, Feb. 25-Sunday, Feb. 26 | 3-7 p.m. | Elegba Folklore Society Cultural Center, 101 E. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Browse books, enjoy live entertainment, and meet authors at this Conscious Literary Festival.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

History + charming architecture meet at this Charleston, SC event

A modern kitchen on the inside of a historic Charleston home.

Get an inside look at timeless homes and gardens on Charleston’s most iconic streets. | Photo provided by Historic Charleston Foundation

Step inside the charm of Charleston during the Festival of Houses and Gardens, a month-long event happening March 15-April 16 featuring workshops, talks, and tours of classic homes and epic gardens.

Want to explore Charleston’s historic architecture? Among the dozens of events are House & Garden Tours — giving guests the chance to stroll through the gardens, homes, and iconic streets of King Street, South Battery, East Battery Street, and more.

Get ready to experience some of the country’s most magnificent architecture examples.*

BUY TICKETS

Weather

63º | Cloudy | 6% chance of rain

Civic

Three units of city workers filed for union elections last week. City Council approved a collective bargaining ordinance in July, and since then all five designated units of workers — police, fire and emergency services, labor and trades, administrative and technical, and professional — have requested elections. Learn more. (VPM)

Number

500. That’s how many local employees The Lego Group plans to hire by the end of 2023. The upcoming $1 billion manufacturing facility in Chesterfield is expected to begin production in 2025. Construction began last year. (Virginia Business)

Festival

Shamrock the Block is moving the St. Patrick’s Day festivities from Arthur Ashe Boulevard to Leigh Street. The party will go from Movieland to the Bon Secours Training Facility from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. Check out what bands and food vendors will be there. (ABC8 News)
Siné’s 24th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival will take place on Saturday, March 11 starting at 11 a.m. The Shockoe Slip party lineup includes 12 hours of live music by What’s Our Age Again, The Mashup, and Sold Separately, plus tunes from DJ Mikealis and drinks at five bars. 🍺

Edu

Get updated information and a look at the upcoming construction of the new George Wythe High School at a community meeting on Wednesday, March 1. The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the current GWHS gymnasium and dinner will be provided.

Concert

Experience magic at the Altria when the “Harry Potter” Film Concert Series returns on Saturday, June 10. The Richmond Symphony will perform the score from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” while the film plays. Tickets start at $58 and go on sale this Friday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. ⚡️

Outdoors

Volunteer with Richmond Tree Stewards to vanquish Richmond’s plant public enemies — invasive species. The group is hosting restoration events today through Saturday at various locations around the river. Sign up here. 🌱

Arts

The Fan Arts Stroll returns Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12. The 1900-2500 blocks of Hanover and Grove Avenues will be filled with local art for sale, live music, and food trucks. Last spring’s stroll was one for the books.

Job

Want to apply for a job at Woodfin - Your Home Team? They’re hiring seasoned and entry-level positions in all skilled trades areas (think: plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling + more). See details and apply. 🔧*

Today Is

Today is National Margarita Day. Celebrate with Simple Time Mixers by sipping on the Margarita Bundle or the Margarita Madness 3-Pack. Will that be salt or sugar on the rim? 🍹

Eat

Every dinner’s a party when the food tastes good. Home Chef’s meal kit delivery service takes the stress out of mealtimes with fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards, delivered right to your door. Order your first box — for 75% off.*

Shop

What we’re eyeing: Zulily’s sneaker shop and some fresh kicks for spring. Shop street styles from Nike, versatile New Balance picks, or fashionable Tory Burch sneakers all on sale now. 👟*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

McClellan wins 4th District Special Election

What you need to know about the 4th District special election

A hand holds a sticker that says "my vote counted" and an RICtoday sticker.

Yesterday was Special Election Day in the 4th District. | Photo by RICtoday

Democrat Jennifer McClellan defeated Republican Leon Benjamin in yesterday’s Special Election to fill the vacant US House of Representatives seat in the 4th District.

As of 9:40 p.m. with 287 of the 302 precincts reporting, McClellan was leading Benjamin 72%-28%.

The 4th District is made up of the City of Richmond, parts of Henrico and Chesterfield counties, the City of Petersburg, and other localities.

The death of Congressman and longtime Richmond government figure Donald McEachin in late November left the seat vacant in the House of Representatives. The process to fill the seat began in December.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: If you have your eye on a career at LEGO, check out the open positions. Looks like they’re building a presence in Central VA brick by brick. 🧱

Missed our last newsletter? New exhibits are headed to the Institute for Contemporary Art.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY