Gilpin Court redevelopment moves ahead after yearslong fight
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Gilpin Court back in 1998. Photo: Douglas Graham/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
After more than a year of public feuding, City Council is poised to back a deal that would break Richmond's standoff with its housing authority over the future of Gilpin Court.
Why it matters: A resolution introduced this week advances a plan to redevelop the city's oldest public housing complex after political fighting left Gilpin's 2,000-plus residents in limbo.
The big picture: Since last spring, RRHA's push to privatize Gilpin sparked a fight with City Council, which accused the agency of violating state law.
- Mayor Avula also refused to support redevelopment unless RRHA agreed to certain conditions.
- And residents called for an eviction pause until those promises were put in writing, but no moratorium was ever enacted.
The latest: The Monday resolution — which Council could approve later this month — sets a Sept. 1 deadline for the city and RRHA to sign a memorandum of understanding.
- The final MOU draft, also released Monday, includes Avula's initial demands: a tenants' bill of rights, a resident-involved oversight committee that meets monthly and one-for-one replacement of all 781 Gilpin units.
- It estimates that Gilpin, a "major component" of the plan to reshape Jackson Ward, will likely take at least 10 years to redevelop.
The Gilpin tenants group didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment, but the agreement's provisions mirror demands it made this spring.
Zoom in: The MOU also says:
- The city will oversee resident case management and relocation support. A "People Plan Manager" to lead that work starts next week, Avula spokesperson Mira Signer tells Axios.
- RRHA must provide monthly redevelopment updates.
- The city can audit RRHA's use of city funds "at any time."
- If city funds are used, newly hired reconstruction workers must be Richmond residents.
Yes, but: Either side can walk away from the deal by giving written notice.
- And separate approval from Council and RRHA's board will be required before any actual funding is committed.
- Plus: The tenants' bill of rights still needs signatures.
Meanwhile, RRHA has filed plans for the first redevelopment-related construction at Gilpin Court: a 56-unit apartment complex, reports BizSense.
- RRHA CEO Steve Nesmith described it as a show of good faith that the authority intends to build replacement housing before demolishing existing homes.
- The $24.5 million project is targeting construction for early 2027, with move-ins in late 2028.