RRHA delays vote on new Gilpin Court redevelopment plan

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A clear plan for the future of Gilpin Court has yet to be determined after RRHA's Board of Commissioners declined to vote on a new proposal Wednesday night.

RRHA's CEO, Steven Nesmith, said during the meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17, the proposal was called the "Compromise Gilpin Court Development Plan," and it involves transferring Gilpin to the agency's private corporation, Richmond Development Corporation (RDC), in phases instead of doing it all at once, as previously suggested.

The change comes after the original plan received pushback from Mayor Danny Avula last week. One of the most significant requirements from Avula that held back his endorsement was that RRHA should withdraw its plans to move Gilpin to RDC until concerns about its governance structure were addressed.

Those concerns were acknowledged in the proposed resolution, but there were no details on how they'd be rectified. The proposal also included the submission of a Section 18 application, which would secure Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPVs).

The majority of the board opposed the resolution, with many saying they did not have enough information to make a decision. 

"For me to give a yes, I need a complete application for my review," said Commissioner Kyle Elliott.

"I would encourage us to not vote on this tonight, or to not go in favor of this tonight, because I don't think we have all the information we need to make an informed choice," said Commissioner Barrett Hardiman.

Several Gilpin Court residents who attended the meeting watched in a separate room, but were not shy in vocalizing their support for tabling a decision on the proposed plan. 

While a vote was not made regarding the "new compromise," the Board did vote on a resolution to support Nesmith in continuing negotiations with the Mayor and City Council. Some commissioners felt the resolution was unnecessary, while Nesmith argued that their vote of support would strengthen negotiations.

"There's been questions about whether or not this Board has authorized me to do certain things," Nesmith said. "I believe [after] talking to the Mayor, that they want this board to officially said that you authorize me to go to those negotiations."

It's unclear when a vote will be made on the new compromise plan, but Nesmith says the negotiations with the Mayor and City Council will continue.

In early September, RRHA’s Richmond Tenant Organization (RTO), the governing body of RRHA made up of tenant council presidents from each of RRHA’s family and senior public housing communities, announced its endorsement of the redevelopment.

The proposed transfer has come under fire by residents for months, including a meeting in late August, with residents particularly concerned about ownership.

City leaders and residents have also raised questions about how displaced families will be supported during the process, with RRHA officials saying housing protection vouchers will help families afford rent elsewhere.