Southside Economic Development
Richmond’s Southside is great because of its amazing people, rich history, and culture, but the city has failed this area.
Southside residents have been pleading with the city to invest in their neighborhoods. Decades of disinvestment, discriminatory policies, and neglect by local leaders are reflected throughout the landscape and well-being of Southside residents. Richmond needs a mayor who will deliver grocery stores, health care services, sidewalks, jobs, affordable housing, quality schools, and more reliable public transit in the city’s Southside. We can and will bring multiple full-service grocery stores to Southside. To achieve this goal, my administration will strategically invest in the built environment, prioritize rezoning Southside corridors for more housing options, and secure needed state, federal, and private funding. It takes vision, deep experience, and political courage to make it happen.
In 2022, I presented a Southside Economic Development Plan to the mayor with support from my colleagues representing the 8th and 9th Districts, PlanRVA, Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and Richmond Crusade for Voters.
This plan outlines clear policies that need to be enacted to expand economic growth, commerce and retail, connectivity, green space, and affordable housing that will benefit neighborhoods in Southside Richmond. In 2021, I laid the foundation for creating an Equitable Development Scorecard developed by the great work of Virginia Community Voice.
I helped lead the effort for City Council to set aside $10 million in this year’s budget to advance economic development in South Richmond off Walmsley Boulevard.
As mayor, I will work with City Council, planners, and everyone across City Hall to implement the following priorities and generate economic development opportunities in Southside:
1. Request BRT plans for Richmond Highway (Rt 1/301), Hull Street, and Midlothian Turnpike by CTB, CVTA, and PlanRVA. (Resolution passed)
Approved plan and study for priority:
ConnectRVA Long-term Transportation Plan (Adopted 10/2021)
2. Rezoning of Richmond Highway, Hull Street, & Midlothian Turnpike to TOD-1 transit-oriented development planning. (Resolution passed)
Approved plan and study for priority
Richmond Master Plan & Greater Washington Partnership Capital Region Transit Oriented Development
3. Request change to Enterprise Zone map to include all rezoned areas. (Request to General Assembly)
Approved plan and study for priority
Updates to the Enterprise Zone map must match R300.
4. Infrastructure Plans for Stormwater, Sidewalks, Crosswalks, Traffic Lights, Shared-Use paths, and Bike Lanes along Richmond Highway, Hull Street, and Midlothian Turnpike. (Resolution passed)
Approved plan and study for priority:
Increasing flooding and pedestrian fatalities in Southside
South Richmond Economic Revitalization Task Force Report
5. Create TIF Districts with a new TOD-1 Zoning to support funding for infrastructure and affordable housing investment along key corridors.
Approved plan and study for priority:
Public investment for equitable development is needed for infrastructure and housing.
6. Transfer RRHA-owned properties in Blackwell to Land Bank for development with AHTF funding from ARPA.
Approved plan and study for priority:
$10 million in AHTF creates funding for affordable development
7. Begin negotiations with CSX for the “Rails to Trails” conversion of the rail line that runs from Semmes & Cowardin to Chesterfield County. This will complement the existing plans for the James River Branch Trail, which is slated for construction in 2026 using ARPA funding.
Approved plan and study for priority:
8. Altria Warehouse: Develop a public-private partnership for world-class skills, trades, and workforce development center with RPS, J. Sargent Reynolds, and the State of Virginia. (Resolution passed)
Approved plan and study for priority:
9. Southside Plaza Rezoning & TIF: Support the Master Plan priority of developing this location with strategic rezoning and TIF.
Approved plan and study for priority:
South Richmond Economic Revitalization Task Force Report
10. Richmond Marine Terminal: Initiate negotiations with Dupont for access rights to the I-95 underpass for Port-only exit and entrance off the highway. This is prioritized in both studies of the Commerce Rd Corridor by PlanRVA and General Assembly/VDOT.
Approved plan and study for priority:
South Richmond Economic Revitalization Task Force Report
11. Walmsley Boulevard: Support funding request for reconnecting I-95 Exit 69 at Commerce Road to Richmond Highway. Rename Exit ”Walmsley Boulevard” and create a Small Area Plan for intersections.
Approved plan and study for priority:
Connecting Richmond Highway to Commerce Rd has been a long-term priority for PlanRVA and has been prioritized by the City.