Welcome to our 6th District newsletter! We are thrilled to share with you the latest developments in our mission to make a positive impact in our community. I am honored to serve your interests and provide leadership to make Richmond and the 6th District the place you have chosen to be home.
As we enter this new season, I want to take a moment to share the progress we’ve made together and the work that still lies ahead. My priorities remain clear: ensuring every resident has access to safe, affordable housing, and strengthening transparency and accountability in our local government
Over the past months, we’ve taken meaningful steps to expand affordable housing options by partnering with community developers, streamlining permit processes, and identifying underused city properties for potential redevelopment But affordability isn’t just about buildings it’s about people That’s why I’m committed to policies that help residents stay in their homes, from rental assistance to first-time homebuyer programs which includes transparency with funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Equally important is building a government that earns your trust. I’ve introduced measures to make city spending more transparent and to ensure public input drives our decisions not the other way around.
I welcome your input and advice in all decisions
Thank you!
Ellen F Robertson
In this issue:
City News
What’s City Council Doing? Gateway Happenings
Around the District
Stay In Touch
It’sNotAboutPolitics,It’sAboutPeople
The shutdown of the federal government is having major impacts here in the City of Richmond. The funding support the City receives in the way of reimbursements for many of the programs it implements are at risk of delay and disruption. These include programs related to social services, food assistance, housing programs, and energy assistance programs which many residents rely on for basic needs.
While the City has a 60-day financial contingency plan, the impacts can be and are major for many families. In an effort to lessen some of these impacts the City is prioritizing those essential services provided to by assessing and planning strategically amid uncertainty with the federal government City leadership has taken initiative to assess what is happening in our Richmond communities as a result of the federal shutdown and what we can expect going forward We’ve
To read the report in its entirety, go to go.rva.gov/shutdown. It will outline what we can expect in the way of replacing suspended funds, collaboration with statelevel partners and agencies, and our C.O.O.P. (Continuity of Operations Plan). City leaders realize we are in trying times. Virginia’s governor has declared a state of emergency Do not hesitate to reach out to your federal, state, and local city leaders for information about resources for information or means of sustainability You can help by donating food, time, and sharing information about where our neighbors who are facing food scarcity and possible homelessness can receive assistance. We can all help during this challenge in some way, regardless of how great or small
We are Resilient Richmond!
We cannot emphasize the importance of voting in any upcoming election. The election for the next governor of Virginia takes place November 4 , just a few days away from the date of this publication. Why is this so important? Exercising your right to vote offers a powerful chance to shape Virginia’s immediate future It is a way to have a voice Our next governor and other statewide offices will make major decisions on core issues like the health of our economy, education standards and funding, housing affordability and standards, individual and collective civil rights, and shapes policies on how municipalities like the City of Richmond delivers services to our residents
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Virginia often sets the tone for how the rest of the country decides to move forward. It is an uncanny phenomenon, but it happens nonetheless. That said, here’s your call to action. Go out and vote - know that your vote means something and influences how we can get the work of the City done Your vote matters - it counts
You can find some frequently asked questions and helpful information about voting on the Virginia Department of Elections website:
This request would authorize the construction of six new single-family homes while retaining the existing duplex on the property. A community meeting will be held on Thursday, November 6th at 6:00 PM at the Ann Hardy Plaza Community Center.
Updates on this SUP will be forthcoming.
ORD. 2025-235
To authorize the special use of the properties known as 3609 Cottrell Road, 3616 Cottrell Road, 4611 Walmsley Boulevard, and 4705 Walmsley Boulevard for the purpose of up to two multifamily dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions
This ordinance was introduced and referred to the Planning Commission meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
ORD. 2025-232
To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $10,000 00 from the Virginia Department of Energy, to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Office of Sustainability called the “Virginia Energy Resilience Study (VERS), Virginia Energy Resilience Planning Grant Special Fund,” and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Office of Sustainability’s “Virginia Energy Resilience Study (VERS), Virginia Energy Resilience Planning Grant Special Fund” by $10,000.00 for the purpose of funding the implementation of energy resilience planning in the city’s East End
Recommended for approval. Forwarded to the November 10, 2025 Council meeting with recommendation to approve
What’s City Council Doing?
Gateway Happenings
An Evening with Chef Patrick O'Connell
November 9, 2025 @5:30 pm - 8:00 pm - 2614 W. Clay St.
Hosted by Virginia Museum of History & Culture & Roben Farzad
Small Businesses, Big Insights: What Local Businesses Can Tell Us About the Economy
November 12, 2025 @2:30 - 5:00 pm - 701 E. Byrd Street
Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Party for the Arts: Night in Paris
November 20, 2025 @6:00 pm - 600 E Grace St Suite 400
Hosted by Richmond Performing Arts Alliance
The
Giving
Heart 20th Annual Community
Thanksgiving Day Feast
November 27, 2025 @9:00 am - 6:00 pm - 403 N 3 Street rd
Hosted by The Giving Heart
Great Things Are Shared When Community Comes Together
The Gateway hosted its District meeting on Wednesday, October 29 at OverbySheppard Elementary School, and even with rainy weather, many residents braved the elements to hear about and discuss what’s happening in the 6 District and the City of Richmond. th th
Council Member Robertson commenced the meeting, highlighting the strides made in affordable housing and funding the affordable housing trust fund. She went on to comment about the recent impacts to City programs, going in depth about the recently published Mayor’s Action Plan from Mayor Danny Avula and the Resilient Richmond assessment of the impact resulting from the federal government shutdown, published by the Chief Administrative Officer, Odie Donald.
We were joined by Rae Cousins representative of the 79 District in the Virginia House of Delegates and who is running for re-election. She shared her vision and continuous strides in getting legislation passed to support and advance residents in the 79 District and all Virginians th th Richmond City Council Chief of Staff, RJ Warren was present to give a substantive overview of the effort of the City of Richmond’s Budget Task Force and the new implementations to ensure a more efficient, inclusive budget process for FY27.
Richard Hankins, Executive Director of Partnership for Smarter Growth, discussed the recent density study performed relative to Richmond’s declining population from the 1950 to 2020 with insight on how less residents living in the City impacts what and how goods and services are delivered in the City
The meeting concluded with lively, open discussions and brief reception where residents were engaged, sharing their thoughts and concerns
Be on the lookout for information about next month’s meeting!!
Around the District. . .People, Places & Faces
F. Todd Gray Way - It’s the Way to Go!
Congratulations to Fifth Street Baptist Church on their 145 Anniversary! On October 19 , for nearly a century and a half, Fifth Street Baptist Church has been a beacon of hope, worship, and service in the Richmond community th th
Through seasons of change and challenge, Fifth Street Baptist has remained steadfast in proclaiming the gospel, nurturing generations in the Christian faith, and advancing the work of the church
Earlier this year in July, Rev. F. Todd Gray celebrated his 30 year anniversary as pastor of Fifth Street Baptist, a testament to the dedication, labor, and love of the craft th
To commemorate this milestone, a street naming ceremony and sign was erected in honor of Rev. Gray and his years of pious service. And as always, the Gray family and the many dedicated families of Fifth Street Baptist filled the church.
Bishop James E. Coleman, Jr. of Providence transformation Church International was the keynote speaker and pastor at the service, delivering a powerful message of “less boots on the ground and more knees at the alter.” Amen!
Congratulations to Rev F Todd Gray & the Fifth Street Baptist Church for the many, many years of service to the Richmond community!!
