Richmond residents raise questions amid newly revised VUU development plans
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond residents continue to raise questions after a change of course from Virginia Union University’s (VUU) development plans for new student housing, including its decision to preserve the old Richmond Community Hospital instead of demolish it. Local activists with Save Richmond Community Hospital came together on Tuesday, Oct. 22, as former Richmond City Council member Sa’ad El-Amin announced he had filed a lawsuit against VUU, its Trustee Board Chair and the President of the University in an effort to preserve the historic building. The university released a statement— which was received by the group during the afternoon conference — stating it has revised its plans. MORE: VUU says it will fully preserve old Richmond Community Hospital The partial demolition of the Richmond Community Hospital that was originally planned as of August has been canceled. Instead, the building will be preserved entirely and will have a glass structure connecting it to the student apartment complex planned to be built behind it. Rendering of revised plans for the old Richmond Community Hospital property. (Rendering provided by Virginia Union University.) The University will build 96 units on the property — 29 fewer than originally proposed. The university’s statement read, in part: “The revised design fully preserves both the historic Richmond Community Hospital building and its legacy. The Virginia Union development will preserve the entire historic structure and seek to honor Black medical professionals—permanently preserving the hospital’s legacy after decades of being abandoned.” Virginia Union University Community advocates of the Save Richmond Community Hospital who heard the new development plans told 8News that, while this news has them hopeful, they still have concerns. PREVIOUS: Virginia Union University to demolish part of old Richmond Community Hospital, prompting backlash “It's encouraging to hear those words -- but, again, the devil is in the details," said Viola Baskerville with Save Richmond Community Hospital. "What's the university's concept of rehabilitation, versus the spectrum of ideas that the community has?" Baskerville added that she would like the university to sit down with the community to further discuss the matter. El-Amin told 8News he will continue to follow through with the lawsuit so the courts can decide what VUU can ultimately do with the property in its entirety.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond residents continue to raise questions after a change of course from Virginia Union University’s (VUU) development plans for new student housing, including its decision to preserve the old Richmond Community Hospital instead of demolish it.
Local activists with Save Richmond Community Hospital came together on Tuesday, Oct. 22, as former Richmond City Council member Sa’ad El-Amin announced he had filed a lawsuit against VUU, its Trustee Board Chair and the President of the University in an effort to preserve the historic building.
The university released a statement— which was received by the group during the afternoon conference — stating it has revised its plans.
MORE: VUU says it will fully preserve old Richmond Community Hospital
The partial demolition of the Richmond Community Hospital that was originally planned as of August has been canceled. Instead, the building will be preserved entirely and will have a glass structure connecting it to the student apartment complex planned to be built behind it.
Rendering of revised plans for the old Richmond Community Hospital property. (Rendering provided by Virginia Union University.)
The University will build 96 units on the property — 29 fewer than originally proposed.
The university’s statement read, in part:
“The revised design fully preserves both the historic Richmond Community Hospital building and its legacy. The Virginia Union development will preserve the entire historic structure and seek to honor Black medical professionals—permanently preserving the hospital’s legacy after decades of being abandoned.” Virginia Union University
Community advocates of the Save Richmond Community Hospital who heard the new development plans told 8News that, while this news has them hopeful, they still have concerns.
“It's encouraging to hear those words -- but, again, the devil is in the details," said Viola Baskerville with Save Richmond Community Hospital. "What's the university's concept of rehabilitation, versus the spectrum of ideas that the community has?"
Baskerville added that she would like the university to sit down with the community to further discuss the matter.
El-Amin told 8News he will continue to follow through with the lawsuit so the courts can decide what VUU can ultimately do with the property in its entirety.
