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.
Housing and community development has been a high priority. Whereas affordable housing means no one’s housing cost is more than 30% of their household income, the community where you live is just as important a consideration.
I will continue to fight for the dedicated revenues to build new and protect existing affordable housing, and support communities where resources are needed beyond housing
I encourage all residents to become more engaged. Several critical policy and budget decisions will be made in zoning, transportation, and economic development To best represent your interests and make Richmond a sustainable, cost effective place of choice to live, I need to heard from you.
I welcome your input and advice in all decisions. Thank you!
This year, the Virginia General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Early, in-person voting began in Virginia Friday, September 19, 2025 and runs through Saturday, November 1, 2025 If you intend to vote in this upcoming election, there are important details you may need to know.
You can find some frequently asked questions and helpful information on the Virginia Department of Elections website: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/election-voter-faq/
We encourage you to do your part and vote!
It’s Hurricane Season: Learn How to Stay Safe
We are currently in the peak of hurricane season which runs from midAugust to late October each year. Forecasters from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration predict 12 – 18 storms this year which is considered an above normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Here are six things you can do to prepare for strong storms and hurricane weather:
1. Understand your risks & plan accordingly – know and plan for how to keep you, your family, and pets safe.
2. Review & update insurance/financial readiness - make sure you can get to easily
3. Prepare your home & property – trim trees and secure large objects that can cause damage.
4. Assemble a disaster/emergency supply kit – be ready, even if you don’t have to go.
5. Make a family/household plan – ensure everyone knows what to do and don’t forget the pets
6. Stay informed & sign up for alerts – early communication can make a major difference.
For more guidance on being prepared for the storm season, visit the City of Richmond Department of Emergency Management and/or visit Ready.gov for helpful safety information
Stay safe!
What’s City Council Doing?
ORD. 2025-052
To authorize the special use of the property known as 3122 2nd Avenue for the purpose of up to three single-family detached dwellings and two single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions
This item to be continued to the October 14, 2025 regular meeting of the Planning Commission.
ORD.2025-113
To authorize the special use of the property known as 3200 2nd Avenue for the purpose of up to one single-family detached dwelling, two two-family detached dwellings, and four single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions
To approve the Work Plan and Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, for the provision of services in the Downtown Special Service and Assessment Districts This ordinance has been adopted.
ORD. 2025-189
To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $8,719.00 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HOME - ARP Special Fund by $8,719.00, for the purpose of funding the construction of the Rady Street Apartments project. This ordinance has been adopted.
ORD. 2025-194
To designate the 2800 block of 3rd Avenue in honor of the Reverend F Todd Gray This ordinance has been adopted.
Gateway Happenings
37 Annual 2 l Street Festival th nd
October 4, 2025 @11:00 am - 7:00 pm - Historic Jackson Ward Hosted by Venture Richmond
Mosby Court Community Day
October 11, 2025 @10:00 am - 3:30 pm - 1543 Coalter Street
Celebrate Community Day w Mosby Tenant Council
Jackson Ward Community Plan
October 18, 2025 @10:00 am - 1:00 pm - 700 N. 4 Street th
Hosted by City of Richmond Planning & Development Review
28 Annual Harvest Festival th
October 31, 2025 @5:00 - 8:00 pm -900 Decatur Street
Hosted by New Life Tabernacle Community Center
Bringing Zoning Code Refresh Around Full Circle
The Gateway had been talking and planning the Zoning Code Refresh Bus Tour for about a month or so and on a cloudy, Saturday afternoon with potential downpours of rain looming, it finally happened! On September 27 , the 6 District hosted the tour allowing residents and community stakeholders to see first-hand the various developments throughout the district’s Northside.
The tour started with Council member, Ellen Robertson providing an overview and purpose for the tour, giving remarks about the importance of understanding the impact of the current and proposed zoning changes. Kevin Vonck, Director of the City of Richmond Department of Planning & Development Review gave deeper detail and insight to the proposed zoning changes and the rationale of the intent. The tour hosted most every population demographic – senior citizens, community service leaders, faith leaders, civic association members, longtime residents, and City of Richmond Staff
As the tour progressed, representatives of the different developers spearheading the projects spoke on the current and planned developments, the current and proposed zoning for each, and the way in which they will enhance and impact residents of the City There was so much information shared and participants were very engaged on how these zoning changes will affect everyone
We started at Highland Grove at Dove Street where Greta Harris President and CEO of Better Housing Coalition spoke about the 125 brand new homes being built in this development with four new model homes coming soon. A few of the lots have already been sold! With $10,000 seller paid closing costs, the incentives will certainly attract viable buyers.
Around the District. . .People, Places & Faces
Next, we traveled to 5 Avenue where a very attractive developments sits waiting for buyers These chalet-styled townhomes of the Chestnut Flats community, located in the Highland Park Southern Tip of the district boasts units with modern style and amenities They are situated amid a courtyard meant to foster communal gathering th Aaron Alexander of SupportWorks Housing presented at the next stop at the site of the future Rady Street Apartments sharing the legacy of generations of families including his own who settled in the area and remain there today The Rady Street development focuses on providing supportive, affordable housing in conjunction with support services that serve individuals who experience chronic and other long-term homelessness
Real estate development associate, Janei Lofty of Enterprise Community Development shared insight on the zoning for the proposed developments at the stop in the Six Points area of the Highland Park community. Enterprise Community Development stakes claim to three affordable housing developments to include Highland Terrace Apartments, Historic Highland Park Apartments, and Green Park Apartments, currently underway.
At the final stop, Father James Arsenault of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church discussed two faith-based developments, one adjacent to the church for which a groundbreaking ceremony took place just one week prior. The site was barren soil last week and at the time of the tour stop, the framework has already been erected for the first structure to serve as a model After the lengthy process to get from concept to groundbreaking, the church has indeed moved expeditiously in forging ahead on the development
At the conclusion of the tour, Council member Robertson gave a passionate narrative summarizing the comments, sharing in the concerns, and setting the vision of what affordable housing has become thus far and what it can be and how we all can be an intricate part in the commission of making the vision a reality She shared her commitment to continue with her advocacy and work in the affordable housing arena Not one to back down, she encouraged everyone to support and make known their viewpoints on not just affordable housing, but also all that goes beyond that –families, schools, commerce, places of worship, community resources – all the things that make communities thrive.
A special thank you to all of the participants who came out to share their interests and concerns for the Highland Park community; Donnell Harrison, driver for GRTC for maneuvering the corners and turns of the City streets safely for a pleasant tour; Kevin Vonck and Marianne Pitts of the City of Richmond Department of Planning & Development Review for providing the detail on the proposed zoning changes; Kimberly Kyle for assisting in pulling the event together; and Council member Ellen Robertson for her vision, leadership, passion, and purpose in dedicated service to the City of Richmond and setting the standard high for public service
Around the District. . .People, Places & Faces
There’s Something To Be Said About Faith
With the storm clouds looming, many parishioners and guests gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of Greenway Village Apartments adjacent to St. Elizabeth Baptist Church on 2 Avenue. The apartments will be built where the former St Elizabeth School once stood before a fire destroyed it in 1983 The project promises a total of 56 affordable housing units contained within 14 buildings. It’s been a long time coming, but the project will finally begin! nd
Remarks were given by Friar Arsenault and Bishop Kiehl telling the story of how the moment came to be and a bit of history on the former school that once stood at the site Also in attendance was Senator Tim Kaine, joined by his wife Anne Holton and Mayor Danny Avula, all providing remarks on the exciting development. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Bishop Kiehl blessed the soil with an aspersion of holy water. the soil was tossed about commencing the beginning of something beautiful!
It’s only fitting to mention this given the nature of the ceremony. The groundbreaking moment was a long time coming, a few years as a matter of fact. Yet, with all the obstacles, it finally happened. The forecast called for heavy rain throughout the day yet, people showed up anyway Very few had umbrellas or expressed they forgotten them elsewhere and had no idea what the weather would bring. The groundbreaking went on. The rain did not come. And no one worried about the weather – we just enjoyed the moment There’s something to be said about faith!
