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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.

Chesterfield's answer to more traffic: roundabouts

Its population boom has meant more congestion. One project targets an area that could hit 120,000 vehicles a day.

Chesterfield&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="explosive population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/15/virginia-population-fastest-growing-counties-map" data-vars-content-id="501ea501-0a80-49e0-9e69-7aa15945c55c" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield&#x27;s answer to more traffic: roundabouts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/01/15/virginia-population-fastest-growing-counties-map" target="_self">explosive population growth</a> has had a surprising side effect that drivers love to hate: more roundabouts.Why it matters: The county has added <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 37,000 people since 2020" data-vars-click-url="https://chesterfieldfits.com/sites-data/population-demographics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="501ea501-0a80-49e0-9e69-7aa15945c55c" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield&#x27;s answer to more traffic: roundabouts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chesterfieldfits.com/sites-data/population-demographics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">nearly 37,000 people since 2020</a>, putting more pressure on a road network already struggling with congestion in some of its fastest-growing areas.<ul><li>County spokesperson Stephen Bays tells Axios that recent and upcoming roundabout projects are one response to rising traffic volumes.</li></ul>

Scoop: Richmond looks to expand Vision Zero playbook

Cameras, courts and crash predictions are all part of the city's new Vision Zero draft.

Richmond&#x27;s first Vision Zero update since 2023 would bring in the courts, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expand automated cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/11/richmond-red-light-camera-violations-southside-expansion-16000-runners" data-vars-content-id="bc3eab47-3c99-4ab5-9401-87434d4f66c9" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Richmond looks to expand Vision Zero playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/11/richmond-red-light-camera-violations-southside-expansion-16000-runners" target="_self">expand automated cameras</a> and use new data to spot dangerous streets before crashes happen.Why it matters: Richmond has spent years redesigning streets and stepping up police enforcement to hit its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="goal of zero traffic deaths by 2030" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/18/richmond-transportation-chief-zero-traffic-deaths" data-vars-content-id="bc3eab47-3c99-4ab5-9401-87434d4f66c9" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Richmond looks to expand Vision Zero playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/18/richmond-transportation-chief-zero-traffic-deaths" target="_self">goal of zero traffic deaths by 2030</a>. <ul><li>But traffic deaths have nearly doubled since the plan was formalized in 2018, from 12 to 21 in 2025.</li><li>The latest draft, obtained by Axios, broadens the city&#x27;s approach to preventing them. </li></ul>

GRTC bus crash injures 10 at downtown Richmond station

Four people waiting for buses were among those hurt in Tuesday morning's downtown crash.

A GRTC bus crashed into a shelter and another bus at Richmond&#x27;s Downtown Transfer Station on Tuesday morning.Why it matters: The crash injured 10 passengers and bystanders at a busy transfer station, raising questions about how a bus veered off course at one of GRTC&#x27;s main hubs.The big picture: Police are investigating, but haven&#x27;t said what caused the bus to leave its path or if the operator will face any charges or citations.

After crashes, Henrico neighbors pushed for a roundabout

They heard the crashes from their homes. Then they gathered the receipts and pushed the county to act.

Claire Dee learned to recognize the sound from inside her Henrico home. A screech of tires. A bang.<ul><li>So her routine was to grab her phone, sometimes a blanket or water and head toward the Twin Hickory Drive intersection to help.</li></ul>Why it matters: Those crashes pushed Dee and neighbor Janna Kiseeva to document wrecks and collect about 350 signatures calling on Henrico to make the intersection safer, spurring the county to install a permanent roundabout last year.

Where Richmond's 700 intersection safety projects are going

Here's where the first 244 intersection safety projects, of 700+, are concentrated.

Richmond is rolling out more than 700 safety improvements over the next two years as part of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push to eliminate traffic deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/18/richmond-transportation-chief-zero-traffic-deaths" data-vars-content-id="a43261d1-a9c2-4850-90c9-a136c2fbf67e" data-vars-headline="Where Richmond&#x27;s 700 intersection safety projects are going" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/18/richmond-transportation-chief-zero-traffic-deaths" target="_self">push to eliminate traffic deaths</a> and serious injuries by 2030. Why it matters: The changes will touch hundreds of intersections across the city&#x27;s High Injury Street Network, potentially changing how drivers, pedestrians and cyclists navigate Richmond&#x27;s roads.

Virginia to take "F--k the police" license plate fight to Supreme Court

From "PIGBUT" to "BIDNSUX," Virginia has rejected plenty of vanity plates. This one ended up in court.

A Lynchburg resident put &quot;FTP&quot; — shorthand for &quot;F--k the police&quot; — on his license plate with Virginia&#x27;s permission. <ul><li>Now the state wants the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether it can take its approval back.</li></ul>Why it matters: The Richmond-based Fourth Circuit Court ruled personalized plate messages are private speech protected by the First Amendment. The state disagreed, arguing it should get to decide what appears on state-issued plates.

Richmond's $50M street safety plan dividing City Hall gets green light

The Planning Commission voted to pass the Shockoe Valley project. Not all were happy about it.

Transit

Richmond&#x27;s Planning Commission approved a nearly $50 million project to make Shockoe Valley more walkable, despite objections from the city&#x27;s own planning staff.Why it matters: The fight dividing planners and transportation officials is the latest test of Richmond&#x27;s competing visions for how to build safer streets.

Richmond may change stop-sign parking rule after ticket surge

The city saw a 280% jump in stop-sign parking tickets — most of them issued in one part of Richmond.

A 280% jump in Richmond stop-sign parking tickets — most of them issued in one part of the city — is prompting a City Council push to rewrite the rule behind them. Why it matters: Backers of the proposal say the current standard is confusing and unusually restrictive. Transportation officials say changing it could make intersections less safe.

Virginia councilman goes viral campaigning for more sidewalks

The video has people nationwide saying they now want to move to Danville.

Culture

A Virginia councilman&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral campaign video" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBiHMTBUMW/" data-vars-content-id="3e34d85d-ab95-41c9-94aa-1193e0e1ab55" data-vars-headline="Virginia councilman goes viral campaigning for more sidewalks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBiHMTBUMW/" target="_blank">viral campaign video</a> about building more sidewalks has people nationwide saying they want to move to Danville.Why it matters: The internet&#x27;s love for Councilman Gary Miller and his high-waisted pants suggests that there&#x27;s at least one thing Americans can agree on: a good sidewalk.

Transit 🚗

Chesterfield's answer to more traffic: roundabouts

Scoop: Richmond wants to push Virginia to lower BAC limit

Scoop: Richmond looks to expand Vision Zero playbook

GRTC bus crash injures 10 at downtown Richmond station

After crashes, Henrico neighbors pushed for a roundabout