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Flashback: Richmond's unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns

A look back at RVA's chaotic 2016, from Stoney's win to rooftop bars and creepy clowns.

News

We hear the kids are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="throwing it back to 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" target="_self">throwing it back to 2016</a> and thought it would be fun to play along.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral trend" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" target="_self">viral trend</a> is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a big year for Richmond.

Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes

State officials say the federal shift on childhood vaccines wasn't backed by evidence.

Health

The Virginia Department of Health is breaking with the Trump administration&#x27;s latest vaccine guidance, which narrows the list of universally recommended shots for kids.Why it matters: It&#x27;s at least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the second time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" data-vars-content-id="76cff643-c268-4cbd-a989-8d55c8523cdf" data-vars-headline="Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" target="_self">the second time</a> in the past six months that VDH has moved away from controversial federal changes.

Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle

The latest mass shooting revives a long cycle of violence and uneasy recovery in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom.

The early Saturday morning mass shooting in Shockoe Bottom was the latest in a string of violence going back decades in one of Richmond&#x27;s oldest neighborhoods.Why it matters: The Bottom&#x27;s recent history shows that high-profile violence can become a tipping point prompting lasting policy changes.State of play: Shockoe Bottom has a long and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complicated history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" target="_self">complicated history</a>, but the flood-prone valley as a Richmond nightlife destination didn&#x27;t really begin until the mid-1980s and super-charged in the mid-&#x27;90s, after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Floodwall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" target="_blank">Floodwall</a> was completed.<ul><li>After the Floodwall was done in 1995 and the district was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mostly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">mostly</a> protected from frequent flooding, developers flocked in, converting old warehouses and buildings into apartments and retail, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style Weekly reported." data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style Weekly reported.</a></li><li>New restaurants, clubs and music venues quickly joined existing Shockoe spots, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bird in Hand" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" target="_blank">Bird in Hand</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chetti&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" target="_blank">Chetti&#x27;s</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moondance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" target="_blank">Moondance</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Flood Zone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" target="_blank">the Flood Zone</a>. </li><li>By the early aughts, Shockoe Bottom had arrived. The nightlife destination offered high-end restaurants like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Havana &#x27;59" data-vars-click-url="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" target="_blank">Havana &#x27;59</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julep&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.juleps.net/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.juleps.net/" target="_blank">Julep&#x27;s</a>, live music at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alley Katz" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" target="_blank">Alley Katz</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bottom Line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" target="_blank">The Bottom Line</a>, late-night eats at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="River City Diner" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" target="_blank">River City Diner</a> and dancing and debauchery in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiki Bob&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" target="_blank">Tiki Bob&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Have a Nice Day Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" target="_blank">Have a Nice Day Cafe</a>, plus dozens more. </li></ul>Zoom in: Just as the Bottom&#x27;s upswing began, so did the violence. By mid-2004, Richmond Police started ramping up patrols in the neighborhood after nine people were shot, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Style" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" target="_blank">per Style</a>. <ul><li>It wouldn&#x27;t matter. The end of summer brought <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Gaston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">Hurricane Gaston</a>, which left much of the Bottom submerged. It took some businesses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years to recover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" target="_blank">two years to recover</a>. Some never did. </li><li>In 2010, the Bottom was back, but not the same. Another spate of violence brought another round of increased police attention — and action by Richmond City Council, which passed an ordinance requiring nightclubs get a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." target="_blank">permit</a> to operate, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style reported</a>.</li></ul>Yes, but: The Bottom was improving. Between 2005 and 2010, Shockoe Bottom was on track to see a 50% decline in major crimes, per Style. <ul><li>But by then, the Bottom had a perception problem, it seemed.</li><li>There were efforts by City Hall to turn things around. Notably, former Mayor Dwight Jones&#x27; failed pitch to put a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baseball diamond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" target="_blank">baseball diamond</a> in The Bottom, the years-long renovation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" target="_blank">17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market</a> and former Mayor Stoney&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shockoe Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" target="_blank">Shockoe Project</a> plan, which brought new businesses to the district. For a bit. </li></ul>The latest: Guns — the sheer number of them on the streets and in the hands of crowds flocking to Shockoe Bottom on the weekends — are the problem, Richmond Police chief Rick Edwards said in response to the Saturday shooting. <ul><li>RPD Major Crimes is investigating the mass shooting and asking anyone with information, particularly video to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Mayor Danny Avula said Saturday that the city&#x27;s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention is working on a &quot;community ambassadors&quot; program that will focus on the bars and clubs and should launch by summer.

Driving in Richmond gets more expensive this weekend

All-electronic tolling begins Saturday and red light cameras start issuing $50 tickets March 1.

Driving around Richmond will get more expensive starting this weekend. Why it matters: If you&#x27;re a red light-runner or non-E-ZPass toll road user, your grace periods are up.

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.

VMFA to close more galleries next week ahead of historic expansion

European and sporting art galleries at VMFA close Sept. 16 as part of its next phase of expansion.

Culture

The next wave of temporary gallery closures at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="VMFA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/09/30/vmfa-sculpture-garden-lawn-closed-repairs" data-vars-content-id="cb4d6729-0e01-4aba-9b38-20dc76d38790" data-vars-headline="VMFA to close more galleries next week ahead of historic expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/09/30/vmfa-sculpture-garden-lawn-closed-repairs" target="_self">VMFA</a> starts next week. Why it matters: That means Richmond is one step closer to VMFA&#x27;s new McGlothlin Wing II part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/10/18/vmfa-expansion-261-million-history" data-vars-content-id="cb4d6729-0e01-4aba-9b38-20dc76d38790" data-vars-headline="VMFA to close more galleries next week ahead of historic expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/10/18/vmfa-expansion-261-million-history" target="_self">largest expansion</a> in the museum&#x27;s history.

Lakeside Avenue could become Henrico's new "Garden District"

The goal: making a car-heavy corridor into a pedestrian-friendly hub connecting Lewis Ginter and Bryan Park.

Henrico wants to turn the 1.3-mile stretch of Lakeside Avenue between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lewis Ginter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/30/richmond-lewis-ginter-among-top-us-gardens" data-vars-content-id="fa261390-d881-4eac-8a59-11971cb3807b" data-vars-headline="Lakeside Avenue could become Henrico&#x27;s new &quot;Garden District&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/30/richmond-lewis-ginter-among-top-us-gardens" target="_self">Lewis Ginter</a> and Bryan Park into the county&#x27;s &quot;Garden District,&quot; according to multiple reports.Why it matters: The makeover could make a car-heavy corridor a pedestrian-friendly hub that slows traffic, boosts businesses and housing, and connects two of the area&#x27;s most beloved green spaces.

Brown's Island's big glow-up starts this fall

The city park will shut for nearly a year, but its $30M revamp promises big rewards for locals.

Richmond is just over a year away from a new and improved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brown&#x27;s Island" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/04/18/browns-island-upgrade-seating-bathrooms-construction" data-vars-content-id="576d8295-cb85-434e-8686-ea0dd735e363" data-vars-headline="Brown&#x27;s Island&#x27;s big glow-up starts this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/04/18/browns-island-upgrade-seating-bathrooms-construction" target="_self">Brown&#x27;s Island</a>.Why it matters: The island will be closed for events for nearly a year, but when it reopens next fall, locals will have tons of new amenities to enjoy.

Richmonders are fighting to save a hidden garden in The Fan

The plan is igniting tensions between the need for more housing and preserving green spaces.

Residents are pushing back on a developer&#x27;s plan to pave a community garden and put up a carriage house. Why it matters: The proposal, still in its early stages, is already firing up age-old tensions in Richmond between the need for more housing in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tight market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/10/richmond-affordable-housing-survey" data-vars-content-id="a5d3d0ec-9c5f-4672-8023-91af88385f7a" data-vars-headline="Richmonders are fighting to save a hidden garden in The Fan" 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">tight market</a> and preserving green spaces.

Development 🏗️

Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as "neighborhood nightmare"

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

Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch

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

Virginians emerge as some of America's biggest AI users