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Exclusive: Richmond has more empty apartments — and rising rents

Vacancies have climbed as new units opened, yet Richmond renters are still paying more than last year.

News

There are a lot of apartments sitting empty in metro Richmond, per new vacancy data the CoStar Group shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: Richmond has more apartments available after a record building boom, but that hasn&#x27;t solved the region&#x27;s housing crisis — especially for renters who can&#x27;t afford the new supply.

Scoop: Richmond wants to push Virginia to lower BAC limit

The idea, aimed at reducing traffic crashes, has struggled nationwide — and Richmond-area lawmakers aren't sold yet.

Richmond officials are considering asking Virginia lawmakers to drop the state&#x27;s blood alcohol content limit from 0.08 to 0.05, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The move could pull Virginia into a growing national debate over lowering BAC limits to reduce alcohol-related crashes — a push that&#x27;s repeatedly stalled in statehouses.

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opens in Short Pump this week 

The Short Pump spot serves 100-plus dishes by conveyor belt, with robot drinks and prizes.

Food and Drink

Richmond&#x27;s wait for conveyor belt sushi is over: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kura Revolving Sushi Bar " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/28/kura-conveyor-belt-sushi-restaurant-short-pump" data-vars-content-id="b097b091-4d16-4fa8-a4ef-eabbd3b4a0cd" data-vars-headline="Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opens in Short Pump this week " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/28/kura-conveyor-belt-sushi-restaurant-short-pump" target="_self">Kura Revolving Sushi Bar </a>opens Tuesday in Short Pump. Why it matters: The California-based chain specializes in serving sushi on a belt, drinks via robot and dispensing prizes for clean plates.

14 things to do in Richmond this Labor Day weekend

From First Fridays to Dolly karaoke, Richmond has plenty going on for the long holiday weekend.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s unofficially the last weekend of summer. Here are a few cool things to do if you&#x27;re stuck in town.

Scoop: Richmond region could soon lift water conservation request

Officials will meet Friday after James River conditions stayed above a key threshold.

Richmond region officials could lift their request for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voluntary water conservation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/22/richmong-drought-virginia-water-conservation-spanberger?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="cd4789db-0699-4fe1-9d2d-290830b4890f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Richmond region could soon lift water conservation request" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/22/richmong-drought-virginia-water-conservation-spanberger?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">voluntary water conservation</a> as soon as Friday, Axios has learned.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly a month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-richmond-39448806-2a47-4f03-98bc-48fbe5974071.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="cd4789db-0699-4fe1-9d2d-290830b4890f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Richmond region could soon lift water conservation request" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-richmond-39448806-2a47-4f03-98bc-48fbe5974071.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">nearly a month</a> since residents were asked to limit their water use as Virginia endured its driest stretch in decades.

Drought puts new focus on data centers' water use

Public frustration over the drought has centered in part on data centers' water use.

Richmond-area households aren&#x27;t the only ones being asked to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conserve water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/22/richmong-drought-virginia-water-conservation-spanberger" data-vars-content-id="492d0f41-f531-481f-aab2-28cbf1c3256f" data-vars-headline="Drought puts new focus on data centers&#x27; water use" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/22/richmong-drought-virginia-water-conservation-spanberger" target="_self">conserve water</a> during the ongoing drought: data centers and other large industrial water users are also facing calls to cut back. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Public" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/1uk5zz4/i_will_not_be_conserving_water_if_data_centers/" data-vars-content-id="492d0f41-f531-481f-aab2-28cbf1c3256f" data-vars-headline="Drought puts new focus on data centers&#x27; water use" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/1uk5zz4/i_will_not_be_conserving_water_if_data_centers/" target="_blank">Public</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frustration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaT-nXWoh0M/" data-vars-content-id="492d0f41-f531-481f-aab2-28cbf1c3256f" data-vars-headline="Drought puts new focus on data centers&#x27; water use" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaT-nXWoh0M/" target="_blank">frustration</a> over the drought has centered in part on data centers&#x27; water use, but local officials say data centers are also being asked to conserve — and aren&#x27;t among the region&#x27;s largest water consumers.

Spanberger urges water conservation as Richmond drought persists

Much of Virginia is under drought warnings, and officials are asking residents to cut water use.

Gov. Spanberger is urging Virginians to voluntarily conserve water as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought conditions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/05/richmond-severe-drought-april-rainfall-james-river-brush-fire" data-vars-content-id="d2b3be14-2069-4d8e-8215-fc3e3519db52" data-vars-headline="Spanberger urges water conservation as Richmond drought persists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/05/richmond-severe-drought-april-rainfall-james-river-brush-fire" target="_self">drought conditions</a> persist in the Richmond region and across the state.Why it matters: Despite the recent rain, Richmond has been in severe drought for more than two months, while <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conditions are worsening" data-vars-click-url="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/" data-vars-content-id="d2b3be14-2069-4d8e-8215-fc3e3519db52" data-vars-headline="Spanberger urges water conservation as Richmond drought persists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/" target="_blank">conditions are worsening</a> in parts of the suburbs.

Richmond shifts icy sidewalk duty from renters to landlords

It's in response to January's ice storm leaving sidewalks slick and dangerous to navigate for weeks.

Richmond landlords — not renters — are now responsible for clearing icy sidewalks at larger apartment buildings.Why it matters: January&#x27;s ice storm left sidewalks slick and dangerous to navigate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for weeks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/05/richmond-icy-sidewalks-up-to-landlords-residents" data-vars-content-id="3a90822d-ddd8-4a16-8c67-6d4832793a62" data-vars-headline="Richmond shifts icy sidewalk duty from renters to landlords" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/05/richmond-icy-sidewalks-up-to-landlords-residents" target="_self">for weeks</a>, and sparked confusion over who was expected to clear them.

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.

Bar chart showing estimated U.S. water use by sector. Cattle and power plants are the largest users, while data centers use a small fraction of the water consumed by major industries and households.

Estimated U.S. water use, select industries

Data: Cleanview analysis of government, industry and academic sources, including 2024 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study; Note: Power plants include fossil fuel and nuclear facilities. Data centers include on-site cooling and associated electricity generation; Chart: Amy Harder/Axios

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 🌿

Scoop: Richmond region could soon lift water conservation request

Drought puts new focus on data centers' water use

Spanberger urges water conservation as Richmond drought persists

Richmond shifts icy sidewalk duty from renters to landlords

More than 4,000 Richmond-area households lack AC