RRHA halts Gilpin transfer vote as leaders work on path forward for redevelopment
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — After months of tension between Richmond’s housing authority, city leaders and tenants, a new consensus appears to be emerging on the future of Gilpin Court.
Last week, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula announced he could not support the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (RRHA) plan to transfer Gilpin Court to the Richmond Development Corporation (RDC), the agency’s nonprofit. But that plan has now been set aside in favor of a new approach.
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith confirmed that the board will not vote to transfer Gilpin Court at its upcoming Sept. 17 meeting. Instead, what he called a “vote of compromise” will take place, focusing on collaboration between the housing authority, the city and the community.
“It’s really reassuring to hear that they’re not going to be voting on that,” Avula said.
Nesmith emphasized the importance of partnership moving forward.
“Time is of the essence. We can't wait,” he said. “When I see people living in cinderblock and concrete, that's inhumane.”
The decision to cancel the transfer vote follows a previously failed attempt in April and growing concerns from residents and city council members about how vulnerable tenants would be protected during the redevelopment process.
“This represents partnership. RRHA didn’t do what it did today by itself. It can’t,” Nesmith said. “We are going to make sure what happens in Gilpin is through a collaboration and a partnership with everyone.”
Third District Councilmember Kenya Gibson, who had introduced an ordinance on July 28th requiring City Council approval for any transfer of Gilpin Court, has since withdrawn the measure.
In a statement, Gibson said:
“I am happy to share that based on the discussions I’ve had with RRHA leadership and the Mayor’s office, I believe there is a shared agreement that the City Council must vote to establish Gilpin Court as a redevelopment area as our lawyer stated. I’m now focused on the path forward to ensure transparency and community engagement as we progress.”
View a full statement from Gibson and Avula to Nesmith below:
Avula echoed that sentiment, stressing the need for better coordination between the city and RRHA.
“We want to see more City Council and board connectivity,” he said. “I think that would be a really good outcome from all of this,” Nesmith said.
The upcoming “vote of compromise” will lay the groundwork for Gilpin Court’s redevelopment. He encouraged those interested to tune in to the RRHA Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m.
