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CoStar testing giant LED display on Richmond tower

The skyscraper's LED glass system will display patterns, holiday themes and AI nature scenes.

News

CoStar has been testing the LED display on its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown office tower" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/02/21/costar-richmond-jobs-hiring" data-vars-content-id="9082b7a1-b276-4f29-977b-b0edc5cda3cf" data-vars-headline="CoStar testing giant LED display on Richmond tower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/02/21/costar-richmond-jobs-hiring" target="_self">downtown office tower</a>. Why it matters: If you&#x27;ve seen flashing lights emanating from just north of the river, you&#x27;re not hallucinating.

17 things to do in Richmond this Greek Fest weekend

Events include: John Mulaney comedy show, Young the Giant concert and the ¿Qué Pasa? Festival.

Things to Do

We hope you&#x27;re feeling rested for a weekend filled with festivals and concerts. Let&#x27;s get into it.

Richmond's pickleball boom shows signs of slowing

The city's court count stayed flat this year after a rapid rise from 2023 to 2025.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="361cff17-5cfe-4844-adc1-b8ae062555c0" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s pickleball boom shows signs of slowing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self">pickleball craze</a> — so hot in the pandemic and immediately afterward — may be cooling off.Why it matters: America&#x27;s one-time fastest-growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/02/24/pandemic-sport-pickleball" data-vars-content-id="361cff17-5cfe-4844-adc1-b8ae062555c0" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s pickleball boom shows signs of slowing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/02/24/pandemic-sport-pickleball" target="_self">sport</a> is also possibly one of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polarizing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Pickleball/comments/1lzr8aw/why_is_there_such_an_immense_hate_stigma_on/" data-vars-content-id="361cff17-5cfe-4844-adc1-b8ae062555c0" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s pickleball boom shows signs of slowing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Pickleball/comments/1lzr8aw/why_is_there_such_an_immense_hate_stigma_on/" target="_blank">polarizing</a>.

Richmond museum plans huge America 250 celebration

Fireworks, tall ships, a massive light show and a rare Declaration copy are all coming to Richmond.

The Virginia Museum of History &amp; Culture will partially shut down Arthur Ashe Boulevard for a four-night light show and festival next month as part of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" data-vars-content-id="a2c1957c-2b1b-4df2-a3f2-1b08bde3706e" data-vars-headline="Richmond museum plans huge America 250 celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th celebration</a>. Why it matters: That&#x27;s just one of the ways VMHC is going big for America&#x27;s birthday — with fireworks, tall ships, a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence and Barbie coming to Richmond.

Westwood and Powhatan's birthplace land on endangered places list

Preservation Virginia says development could endanger two sites with deep cultural significance.

Two Richmond-area spots have landed on this year&#x27;s list of Virginia&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most endangered" data-vars-click-url="https://preservationvirginia.org/our-work/preservation/most-endangered-historic-places/" data-vars-content-id="fad59c1e-3810-4fb3-88ab-d1c90f8d9641" data-vars-headline="Westwood and Powhatan&#x27;s birthplace land on endangered places list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://preservationvirginia.org/our-work/preservation/most-endangered-historic-places/" target="_blank">most endangered</a>&quot; sites.Why it matters: Preservation Virginia, the group behind the list, hopes to save the historically significant spaces at risk of being demolished or erased.

Richmond judge takes city to court over aging courthouse

A rarely used Virginia law that could require the city to make repairs is at the center of the courthouse battle.

Richmond&#x27;s top judge is escalating long-running concerns about downtown&#x27;s aging courthouse into a legal fight.Why it matters: Richmond has delayed replacing or overhauling the courthouse for years while juggling other major priorities — and the dispute could now force the city to spend even more on the dilapidated building.

Gilpin residents demand eviction pause as redevelopment lags

Gilpin Court residents say key protections still aren't in place months after a major deal.

It&#x27;s been over three months since Mayor Avula and RRHA struck a deal to work together on redeveloping Gilpin Court, the city&#x27;s largest public housing complex.Why it matters: Officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hailed it" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements/news/mayor-avula-welcomes-rrhas-approval-joint-governance" data-vars-content-id="867482ff-da03-4197-842a-7556187182cf" data-vars-headline="Gilpin residents demand eviction pause as redevelopment lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements/news/mayor-avula-welcomes-rrhas-approval-joint-governance" target="_blank">hailed it</a> as a move that put residents first. Residents say they&#x27;re still waiting to see what&#x27;s actually changed.

Mayor Avula calls Diamond District "pretty good bet" despite risk

The mayor says Richmond took on more risk than he would've preferred, but he still would've made the investment.

Richmond tapped its reserves to help cover a key <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Diamond District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/27/carmax-park-flying-squirrels-funding-fight" data-vars-content-id="aacf1450-06f7-4966-8da2-0251f5f7b80b" data-vars-headline="Mayor Avula calls Diamond District &quot;pretty good bet&quot; despite risk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/27/carmax-park-flying-squirrels-funding-fight" target="_self">Diamond District</a> land purchase because &quot;there wasn&#x27;t really a plan&quot; to pay for it, Mayor Danny Avula told Axios.Why it matters: With nearly $130 million in bonds ultimately backed by taxpayers, dipping into the city&#x27;s emergency funds has shown how closely public finances are tied to the Diamond District&#x27;s success.

Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as "neighborhood nightmare"

The campaign led by a former city councilman was blasted as "peak NIMBYism" by former Mayor Stoney.

A group led by a fiery former city councilman has launched a billboard campaign opposing Richmond&#x27;s sweeping zoning rewrite called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Code Refresh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" data-vars-content-id="a170aada-e594-4945-8f00-5faff0f220dd" data-vars-headline="Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as &quot;neighborhood nightmare&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" target="_self">Code Refresh</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s already prompted a response from former Mayor Stoney, who called it &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="peak NIMBYism" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/LevarStoney/status/2011299466440261672?s=20" data-vars-content-id="a170aada-e594-4945-8f00-5faff0f220dd" data-vars-headline="Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as &quot;neighborhood nightmare&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/LevarStoney/status/2011299466440261672?s=20" target="_blank">peak NIMBYism</a>,&quot; shorthand for &quot;Not in My Backyard.&quot;

What to know about the VCU–Flying Squirrels fight over CarMax Park

The impasse could ultimately leave Richmond taxpayers on the hook.

VCU and the Flying Squirrels have hit an impasse in the negotiations over whether VCU&#x27;s baseball team will play at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CarMax Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/18/carmax-park-final-beam" data-vars-content-id="54050593-f3b1-4d88-860f-755fa4919a7b" data-vars-headline="What to know about the VCU–Flying Squirrels fight over CarMax Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/18/carmax-park-final-beam" target="_self">CarMax Park</a>.Why it matters: The breakdown could threaten a land deal crucial to the Diamond District development project — and ultimately leave Richmond taxpayers on the hook if there&#x27;s no resolution.

Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch

Micro-housing units could become a key piece of the affordability puzzle in Richmond.

Richmond is slowly joining the tiny home movement that&#x27;s taking root across the country.Why it matters: As Richmond debates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="zoning reforms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" data-vars-content-id="1932ad5b-0718-43a5-8824-29416c733e5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" target="_self">zoning reforms</a> to allow for denser housing, tiny home projects could become a key piece of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/10/richmond-affordable-housing-survey" data-vars-content-id="1932ad5b-0718-43a5-8824-29416c733e5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/10/richmond-affordable-housing-survey" target="_self">affordability</a> puzzle.

Inside VPM's $65M Richmond HQ opening this spring

Once it's open, you'll even be able to rent its rooftop terrace.

Sabrina here, fresh off a hard hat tour at VPM&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new headquarters." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/06/22/vpm-new-headquarters-broad-street" data-vars-content-id="9ca1b1bc-fdaf-443a-a689-5a404be44ac7" data-vars-headline="Inside VPM&#x27;s $65M Richmond HQ opening this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/06/22/vpm-new-headquarters-broad-street" target="_self">new headquarters.</a>Catch up quick: In case you&#x27;ve forgotten (or wondered what that giant under-construction building is on East Broad Street), the local NPR affiliate has had the 53,000-square-foot HQ in the works for at least two years.<ul><li>Construction began last August, and it&#x27;s slated to open around late spring.</li></ul>

Virginians emerge as some of America's biggest AI users

But the cost may be coming in the form of higher energy bills.

Virginians are among the nation&#x27;s heaviest users of artificial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/12/chesterfield-bus-cameras-ai-enforcement-buspatrol" data-vars-content-id="46174354-9c84-4ae0-822e-da23371bb400" data-vars-headline="Virginians emerge as some of America&#x27;s biggest AI users" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/12/chesterfield-bus-cameras-ai-enforcement-buspatrol" target="_self">intelligence</a>, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.anthropic.com/research/economic-index-geography" data-vars-content-id="46174354-9c84-4ae0-822e-da23371bb400" data-vars-headline="Virginians emerge as some of America&#x27;s biggest AI users" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.anthropic.com/research/economic-index-geography" target="_blank">new report</a> from Anthropic. The big picture: The state&#x27;s rapid embrace of AI is colliding with mounting resident <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/08/virginia-dominion-rate-hikes-richmond-power-bill" data-vars-content-id="46174354-9c84-4ae0-822e-da23371bb400" data-vars-headline="Virginians emerge as some of America&#x27;s biggest AI users" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/08/virginia-dominion-rate-hikes-richmond-power-bill" target="_self">pushback</a> against the data centers powering that growth.

Richmond's largest public housing project faces mayor's opposition

Mayor Avula says Gilpin Court's redevelopment can't proceed without stronger tenant protections and more.

Mayor Avula is saying he won&#x27;t back plans to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redevelop Gilpin Court" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/05/gilpin-court-privatization-dispute" data-vars-content-id="1aec2ff4-3061-4cfe-9b29-70a52c51c61c" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s largest public housing project faces mayor&#x27;s opposition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/05/gilpin-court-privatization-dispute" target="_self">redevelop Gilpin Court</a> unless the housing authority makes major changes, including nixing a controversial proposal to privatize the property.Why it matters: His opposition could stall and completely reshape plans for the city&#x27;s largest and oldest public housing complex.

Development 🏗️

Westwood and Powhatan's birthplace land on endangered places list

Richmond judge takes city to court over aging courthouse

Gilpin residents demand eviction pause as redevelopment lags

Mayor Avula calls Diamond District "pretty good bet" despite risk

Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as "neighborhood nightmare"