The Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority’s plan to redevelop Gilpin Court, the city’s largest public housing community, ran aground in April amid questions over Chief Executive Officer Steven Nesmith’s plan to transfer the property to the authority’s private real estate subsidiary, the Richmond Development Corp. City Council and Mayor Avula pushed back, demanding transparency and a coherent plan for the existing 1,900 residents of Gilpin — more than 750 families, most of whom would be displaced by the redevelopment. The $130 million CarMax Park (stadium and infrastructure) is set to open in April after more than 20 years of hemming and hawing over where to build — and who should pay for — a replacement for The Diamond. And despite promises that the city wouldn’t get stuck with the bill — and futile attempts to garner regional support — city taxpayers are on the hook for the entire $130 million.
Author: Scott Bass, Harry Kollatz Jr.
Published at: 2025-12-29 21:10:00
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