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Navy Hill ship sinking?
Scrutiny of Coliseum replacement plan reveals major gaps
The grand plan Mayor Levar M. Stoney is pushing to replace the Richmond Coliseum with $1.5 billion in new Downtown development does not appear to include enough affordable housing to meet a City Council requirement.
Put Schools First offers $650M plan to modernize city schools
The volunteer Put Schools First committee is rolling out a plan that calls for spending $650 million to modernize all of Richmond’s public schools — with a goal of having 19 completed within seven years and the remaining buildings done within 12 years.
City real estate reassessments swing wildly
Homeowners in the Museum District west of the Boulevard should be bracing for big increases in their real estate tax bills.
City tax bills expected to be higher for 2017-18
Richmond residents should expect the city to send them bigger tax bills on vehicles and property this year — despite Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s claim that his proposed budget does not include a tax increase. A closer look at the budget plan shows that the mayor did not propose a hike in the tax rates the city charges on real estate or on cars, trucks and other personal property.
‘Virtual school’ in Va.?
Advocates say it would boost educational choices; critics say it would strip students and money from public schools
Thousands of public school students in Virginia could have the option of taking all of their classes on a home computer in what is known as a “virtual school” — instead of making the daily trek to a building with bells and defined class times. Gov. Terry McAuliffe is mulling whether to sign House Bill 8, a largely Republican-backed piece of legislation that would allow Virginia to join Florida, Ohio and 28 other states in providing 12 years of public education in what enthusiasts describe as a “classroom without walls.”
City Council approves commission to review $1.4B Coliseum project
City Councilwoman Kim B. Gray scored a signal victory in securing an 8-1 vote Monday in support of her plan to create a commission of citizen experts to review the $1.4 billion plan to replace the Richmond Coliseum and redevelop at least 10 blocks of Downtown near City Hall.
Former Richmond businessman Jon C. King Sr. dies at 75
Jon C. “Sugar” King Sr. was an influential force in Richmond in opening doors to ensure Black participation in business and the arts.
Faster legal sales of marijuana snuffed out; Black advocates cheer
The rush to start legal retail sales of marijuana next September has been snuffed out.
Re-igniting a classic
Mayor Stoney announces revival of the Armstrong-Walker Classic, with the help of a 15-member committee and others to plan parade, peewee football game and tailgate party for Nov. 27
A fresh attempt is being made to revive the biggest sporting event in Richmond — the Armstrong-Walker Classic.
New RPS teachers to earn $51,182 annually; bus drivers will earn $23 per hour
Starting pay for Richmond schoolteachers will top $50,000 for the first time after July 1.
George Wythe High School replacement may get new life with expected announcement
City Hall is poised to move faster to replace George Wythe High School in South Side, the Free Press has learned.
New play highlights renowned Richmond actor Charles Gilpin
The name of renowned actor Charles S. Gilpin has long faded in Richmond and elsewhere. Here in his birthplace, the only recognition for the 1920s Broadway star is the public housing community that is named for him — Gilpin Court, located just north of Downtown.
General Assembly green-lights preference for Pamunkey tribe in local casino
The General Assembly, eager for a flood of green from casino gambling, gave a Virginia Indian tribe with a well-documented history and continuing practice of racial bigotry, a leg up in two cities — Richmond and Norfolk.
Interim president named at VUU
A former senior vice president of Virginia Union University is returning to serve as interim president. The VUU Board of Trustees on Tuesday tapped Dr. Joseph F. Johnson, 69, to take over from President Claude G. Perkins, who will start a yearlong paid sabbatical Friday, July 1, before retiring.
Construction to begin on North Side apartments at site of former church
Enterprise Community Development was scheduled to formally launch construction on a four-story complex of 66 affordable apartment units in North Side, on Thursday, May 4.
‘Lifeguard legend,’ city swim instructor Horace A. ‘Bubba’ Carter III dies at 81
Horace Alfonso “Bubba” Carter III wanted everyone in Richmond to learn to swim and to be safe doing it.
GRTC official: No money for transfer station proposed by Navy Hil
GRTC lacks the funding to develop and operate the modern transfer center that is part of the $1.5 billion city and Navy Hill District Corp. plan to replace the Richmond Coliseum and develop nearby blocks, according to the bus company.
Blackwell Historic District consideration delayed until Oct.
A state agency is hitting the pause button on a decision to create a new historic district covering much of the Blackwell neighborhood in South Side.
Hearing on Coliseum referendum petitions set for Sept. 30
The leader of a drive to allow voters to weigh in on the proposed Coliseum-replacement plan will get a chance to prove he submitted enough signatures to get a referendum on the proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Pulse North-South route endorsed
Five years after installing the East-West Pulse bus rapid-transit line, GRTC has embraced a vision of a adding a North-South line – though it is at least seven years and $100 million or so away from development.
