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Henrico's new arena plan could bring major concerts and nightlife

Here's a look inside the county's draft plan for what to do with the former Best Products site.

News

More than a year after the $2.3 billion GreenCity project collapsed, Henrico has unveiled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a draft plan" data-vars-click-url="https://henrico.gov/pdfs/planning/DraftBestProductsandBrookRoadCorridorMasterPlan.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c8b92cb9-a5f4-4a45-979d-dd05ffe35d1e" data-vars-headline="Henrico&#x27;s new arena plan could bring major concerts and nightlife" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://henrico.gov/pdfs/planning/DraftBestProductsandBrookRoadCorridorMasterPlan.pdf" target="_blank">a draft plan</a> for redeveloping the former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Products" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/30/henrico-best-products-demolition-eagle-statues" data-vars-content-id="c8b92cb9-a5f4-4a45-979d-dd05ffe35d1e" data-vars-headline="Henrico&#x27;s new arena plan could bring major concerts and nightlife" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/30/henrico-best-products-demolition-eagle-statues" target="_self">Best Products</a> headquarters site.Why it matters: The county-led concept includes turning the space into a walkable entertainment district with an arena, restaurants, nightlife, housing, parks and connections to the Fall Line Trail.

Richmond tourism is growing — and more events are coming

Major tournaments, conventions and events are boosting bookings this year.

The Richmond region saw just over 19 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tourists" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/01/richmond-then-and-now-nyt-travel-coverage-tourism" data-vars-content-id="3984b145-4ea2-4757-ad37-4d5ce15ad260" data-vars-headline="Richmond tourism is growing — and more events are coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/01/richmond-then-and-now-nyt-travel-coverage-tourism" target="_self">tourists</a> last year.Why it matters: That&#x27;s 800,000 more people who visited — and spent money — in the region than the year before.

Richmond's newest pop-up bar skips the alcohol

Soft Times Lounge is launching Wednesday as a sober nightlife series bringing bar culture, but without booze.

Food and Drink

No booze. Still a bar.<ul><li>That&#x27;s the idea behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Soft Times Lounge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/softtimeslounge/" data-vars-content-id="c87a51e2-e5a4-4eae-b1a6-ff51e92cd54f" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s newest pop-up bar skips the alcohol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/softtimeslounge/" target="_blank">Soft Times Lounge</a>, a new Richmond pop-up series launching Wednesday for those who want the energy of a night out, but without the alcohol.</li></ul>Why it matters: Richmond doesn&#x27;t have many dedicated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sober nightlife spaces" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/2435886340264929/2435886360264927/" data-vars-content-id="c87a51e2-e5a4-4eae-b1a6-ff51e92cd54f" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s newest pop-up bar skips the alcohol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2435886340264929/2435886360264927/" target="_blank">sober nightlife spaces</a>, even as more and more people <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dial back on drinking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" data-vars-content-id="c87a51e2-e5a4-4eae-b1a6-ff51e92cd54f" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s newest pop-up bar skips the alcohol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" target="_self">dial back on drinking</a> — or cut it out altogether.

Hang opens in Scott's Addition with $3 beers and $5 tacos

The spinoff from the Lunch.Supper team is promising "never-ending happy hour" prices.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hang" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/hang_rva/" data-vars-content-id="a7c90214-cf37-4dbc-a991-9036b1febd49" data-vars-headline="Hang opens in Scott&#x27;s Addition with $3 beers and $5 tacos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/hang_rva/" target="_blank">Hang</a>, Lunch.Supper&#x27;s new Tex-Mex concept spinoff in Scott&#x27;s Addition, is opening Tuesday with $3 beers, $5 tacos and $8 cocktails.Why it matters: &quot;We want it to be a never-ending happy hour,&quot; longtime Lunch.Supper manager Amanda Fritts told Axios.

More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC

And temperatures are hitting 95 degrees this weekend.

Health

Roughly 4,100 households in the Richmond region lacked air conditioning in 2023, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" data-vars-content-id="28ac5c44-9c32-4bd2-bf54-0a1dd09ec2aa" data-vars-headline="More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" target="_blank">new census data</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s about to be 95 degrees <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this weekend." data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.55305&amp;lon=-77.459003" data-vars-content-id="28ac5c44-9c32-4bd2-bf54-0a1dd09ec2aa" data-vars-headline="More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.55305&amp;lon=-77.459003" target="_blank">this weekend.</a>

Richmond mosquito season delayed by weird spring weather

A snowy winter pointed to a potentially brutal mosquito season. Then Virginia's weather flipped again.

Richmond&#x27;s mosquitoes appeared ready for a breakout year after the region&#x27;s snowy winter and early spring heat. Then temperatures crashed again.Why it matters: The same weather whiplash Richmonders have dealt with for weeks may also be delaying mosquito season — at least temporarily, Connor King, owner of Mosquito Shield of Richmond, told Axios.

Richmond pollen surge to bring more weeks of allergy misery

Don&#x27;t expect relief from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pollen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/10/get-ready-for-the-pollening" data-vars-content-id="d7b41dbd-dc1d-4868-819c-780c96c304c2" data-vars-headline="Richmond pollen surge to bring more weeks of allergy misery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/10/get-ready-for-the-pollening" target="_self">pollen</a> blanketing Richmond for another few weeks.Why it matters: While the yellowish stuff is a sign of springtime plant reproduction, it&#x27;s a literal headache for anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies and asthma.

Richmond says clearing icy sidewalks is up to residents and landlords

Over a week after the storm hit, many sidewalks remain unusable and dangerous for pedestrians.

More than a week after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/27/richmond-snow-ice-black-ice-street-conditions-vdot-henrico" data-vars-content-id="77b35be5-f84d-42d6-944e-edca1a8ef18b" data-vars-headline="Richmond says clearing icy sidewalks is up to residents and landlords" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/27/richmond-snow-ice-black-ice-street-conditions-vdot-henrico" target="_self">storm</a>, sidewalks across Richmond remain icy and dangerous to use.Why it matters: City officials are largely banking on residents, landlords or warmer temperatures to resolve the pedestrian safety hazard.

Henrico plans Dominion Energy solar farm on 1970s landfill

Henrico joins a growing wave of localities converting old landfills into clean energy sites.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Henrico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/07/henrico-county-water-pipeline-project-reduce-reliance-on-richmond" data-vars-content-id="d02ef577-9583-4272-97dd-e79379b4fcea" data-vars-headline="Henrico plans Dominion Energy solar farm on 1970s landfill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/07/henrico-county-water-pipeline-project-reduce-reliance-on-richmond" target="_self">Henrico</a> OK&#x27;d plans this week to turn a decommissioned 1970s landfill into a solar farm. Why it matters: The project would transform part of a long-vacant 58-acre property in Varina into one of the county&#x27;s more unusual clean energy sites.

How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia's electric bills

Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats' winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

With Democrats soon to control the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor&#x27;s mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" target="_self">governor&#x27;s mansion</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="both chambers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" target="_self">both chambers</a> of the General Assembly, Virginia&#x27;s energy policy is set to veer from Gov. Youngkin&#x27;s approach these past four years.Why it matters: Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats&#x27; winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

Richmond to open new winter shelter for homeless residents

Starting Dec. 1, CARITAS will be another emergency option if the Chamberlayne shelter gets full.

Richmond is getting a new shelter for severe winter weather days.Why it matters: The city has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long faced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/10/14/richmond-cold-weather-shelter" data-vars-content-id="b2d18e27-daa1-41a1-85e6-4055a4ba2c8c" data-vars-headline="Richmond to open new winter shelter for homeless residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/10/14/richmond-cold-weather-shelter" target="_self">long faced</a> limited shelter space during extreme cold, often leaving residents scrambling when beds quickly fill up.

Richmond's fall temps are on the rise

Average fall temperatures in the city have climbed 2.4°F since 1970, a new analysis shows.

Climate

Fall in Richmond is getting hotter, according to a new analysis.Why it matters: Warmer falls could increase cooling demand (and cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigger bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" data-vars-content-id="e9869e05-e75f-457f-abdd-da2be09bfdce" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s fall temps are on the rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" target="_self">bigger bills</a> and more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strain on the electric grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/electricity-demand-projection-2050-icf" data-vars-content-id="e9869e05-e75f-457f-abdd-da2be09bfdce" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s fall temps are on the rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/electricity-demand-projection-2050-icf" target="_self">strain on the electric grid</a>); affect growing and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allergy seasons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/allergy-season-longer-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="e9869e05-e75f-457f-abdd-da2be09bfdce" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s fall temps are on the rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/allergy-season-longer-climate-change" target="_self">allergy seasons</a>; and have health impacts for vulnerable groups.Driving the news: Between 1970 and 2024, average fall temperatures in Richmond rose by 2.4°F, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2025-fall-package" data-vars-content-id="e9869e05-e75f-457f-abdd-da2be09bfdce" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s fall temps are on the rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2025-fall-package" target="_blank">report</a> from Climate Central, a climate research group.<ul><li>That&#x27;s lower than the national average of 2.8°F.</li></ul>Zoom out: Reno, Nev (+7.7°F); El Paso, Texas (+6.5°F) and Las Vegas, Nev. (+6.2°F) saw the biggest increases over the covered period.The intrigue: Harrisonburg was one of three of the examined U.S. cities that had an average fall temperature decrease, dropping by -0.2°F.<ul><li>Gainesville, Fla. and Macon, Ga. had the same drop. </li></ul>How it works: Climate Central&#x27;s report is based on NOAA data, and defines &quot;fall&quot; as the entirety of September, October and November (meteorological fall).<ul><li>Astronomical fall, on the other hand, doesn&#x27;t start &#x27;til Sept. 22 this year.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: The Climate Prediction Center&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest seasonal outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="e9869e05-e75f-457f-abdd-da2be09bfdce" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s fall temps are on the rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" target="_blank">latest seasonal outlook</a> for fall forecasts above-normal temperatures for most of the country, especially in the Southwest and Northeast.

Virginia's electricity costs rise amid data center boom

But it still had one of the smallest electricity cost hikes nationwide this past year, per new federal data.

Virginia saw one of the smallest increases in electricity costs in the nation this past year, per new federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/browser/" data-vars-content-id="b2f64ec0-f351-4dfb-9c12-87f90eb19ffa" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/browser/" target="_blank">data</a>, but it could get even higher as data centers proliferate statewide.Why it matters: Virginia is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center capital of the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-07-29/loudon-county-data-center-growth-strains-residents-seeking-ai-regulation" data-vars-content-id="b2f64ec0-f351-4dfb-9c12-87f90eb19ffa" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-07-29/loudon-county-data-center-growth-strains-residents-seeking-ai-regulation" target="_blank">data center capital of the world</a>, and while those centers have previously been concentrated in NoVa, proposals for them have increasingly cropped up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the Richmond area." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/06/data-center-boom-cost-power-bill" data-vars-content-id="b2f64ec0-f351-4dfb-9c12-87f90eb19ffa" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/06/data-center-boom-cost-power-bill" target="_self">in the Richmond area.</a>

Heat index could hit 110°F in Richmond this weekend

A heat dome is bringing dangerous temperatures to Richmond. Stay cool and stay safe.

We hope Richmonders enjoyed this last week of (comparatively) mild temperatures amid the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sweltering summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/30/richmond-heat-dome-no-records" data-vars-content-id="b5220f7e-3fe6-4ce7-84ec-6dfb15262e0b" data-vars-headline="Heat index could hit 110°F in Richmond this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/30/richmond-heat-dome-no-records" target="_self">sweltering summer</a> because it&#x27;s over: Dangerously high heat is back, starting Friday. Why it matters: Heat warnings and advisories are in effect for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="metro Richmond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/" data-vars-content-id="b5220f7e-3fe6-4ce7-84ec-6dfb15262e0b" data-vars-headline="Heat index could hit 110°F in Richmond this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/" target="_blank">metro Richmond</a> through Wednesday, according to data from the National Weather Service.

A choropleth map of the United States showing the estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, by county, in 2023. Overall, 6.9% of households in the U.S. lacked AC. Rates were much higher in Alaska, Hawaii, the west, and Appalachia. The county in the contiguous U.S. with the highest share without AC was San Francisco County in California, at 65.4%. The county with the highest number of households without AC was Los Angeles County, at 702 thousand.

Climate 🌿

More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC

Richmond mosquito season delayed by weird spring weather

Richmond pollen surge to bring more weeks of allergy misery

Richmond says clearing icy sidewalks is up to residents and landlords

Henrico plans Dominion Energy solar farm on 1970s landfill