78 new affordable homes transform six acres of vacant land into a vibrant, mixed-income community for Richmond families   

What was once six acres of vacant land is now a place that 78 families can call home. On May 4, 2026, Mayor Avula, and local and state affordable housing leaders across the public and private sectors celebrated the opening of Bellevue Gardens in the northside Rosedale neighborhood of the City of Richmond. Bellevue Gardens is a new, 78 unit mixed-income development that brings to life Mayor Avula and the City’s commitment to creating more homes for more people and building thriving neighborhoods. 

Bellevue Gardens features a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments serving families at 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80% Area Median Income (AMI), ensuring that housing works for real Richmonders at a range of income levels. All seventy-eight units are universally designed, and the development employed green building techniques, is National Green Building Standard Silver certified and HIEE certified. 

“This success is a testament to the power of collaboration—local, state, and federal partners coming together and pooling their resources. Projects like these simply don’t happen on their own. They require determination, creativity, and teamwork. It takes complex tax financing and strategic partnerships. These complexities make today’s achievements even more meaningful,” said Merrick Malone, Director, City of Richmond Housing and Community Development .  

“It’s truly inspiring to witness the transformation of this neighborhood and reflect on the community it serves. With 78 new units available for families earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income, this project embodies our city’s commitment to creating spaces where everyone—across the affordability spectrum—can find a home and build a life together,” said Mayor Danny Avula . “This development addresses a critical need: the City of Richmond needs more home for more people searching for a place to rest their heads. I want to thank the many partners – City Council, our state partners and federal representatives, and so many others who came together to bring this vision to life. By doing so, they’ve provided not just housing, but dignity—beautiful homes that anyone would be proud to live in, regardless of income.” 

“This project came together because partners aligned around a shared goal and brought their tools, resources, and expertise to the table,” said Jen Surber, Managing Member, Surber Development and Consulting, LLC. “Affordable housing can be the reality for many more people when we collaborate with a shared vision, and I look forward to seeing Bellevue Gardens become a cornerstone for the community—a place where families can thrive, children can grow, and neighbors can build lasting connections. It’s not just about constructing buildings; it’s about creating a foundation for opportunity and belonging. I am grateful to everyone who played a part in making this community a reality.” 

“Bellevue Gardens represents a thoughtful, approach to expanding housing opportunities while maintaining long-term affordability,” said Phil Cunningham, Assistant Director of Tax Credit Programs, Virginia Housing. “Virginia Housing is proud to support developments like Bellevue Gardens that bring high-quality, energy-efficient, and affordable homes to communities across the Commonwealth.” 

The $27.4 million development was made possible through a layered financing strategy that reflects the strength of cross-sector collaboration. 

Funding sources include: 

• VHDA LIHTC 9% Equity: $13,056,491 (Syndicator – Redstone Equity Partners) 
• 45L credits: Syndicator – Redstone Equity Partners
• VHDA Permanent Financing: $9,335,000
• DHCD Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency (HIEE): $2,000,000
• DHCD Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF): $900,000 
• DHCD National Housing Trust Fund (VHTF): $900,000  
• City of Richmond Equitable Affordable Housing (EAHP): $750,000
• Deferred Developer Fee: $153,012
• Total Developer Costs: $27,416,253 

Construction financing was provided by United Bank. 

Bellevue Gardens also integrates supportive housing components to serve residents with additional needs. Through a partnership with the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA), five units are targeted to permanent supportive housing participants. The development also includes 19 project-based Section 8 vouchers through the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA). 

The project participates in the City of Richmond’s Performance Grant program and reflects a broader commitment to building communities that are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to residents’ needs. 

Projects like Bellevue Gardens demonstrate how collaboration across city, state, and federal partners — alongside private lenders, equity investors, and service providers — can transform underutilized land into thriving neighborhoods that expand opportunity for generations of Richmonders.

The Richmond Economic Development Authority (EDA), in partnership with the City of Richmond, launched the Activation & Beautification CARE (ABC) Grant Program, a new initiative designed to bring energy, visibility, and renewed investment to Richmond’s commercial corridors.

Funding is available to support interim activation and beautification projects, with award amounts based on the scope, and project implementation costs up to a defined maximum of $25,000. Projects may be eligible for up to an additional $25,000 in grant funds if they have match funding.

This program is designed to help bring new ideas to life—supporting creative, visible projects that activate corridors, address vacancy, and contribute to long-term revitalization.

“Every corridor tells a story about our city,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “This program is about helping our communities shape that story, creating spaces that reflect pride, creativity, and opportunity while supporting the small businesses that power Richmond’s economy.”

From public art and storefront activations to lighting, landscaping, and pop-up experiences, the ABC Grant Program is focused on helping Richmond’s commercial corridors become more vibrant, welcoming destinations for residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs.

“Corridor-focused economic development requires a multi-pronged approach. This program centers on interim activation activities, projects that beautify and attract new foot traffic to our CARE areas, by delivering visible improvements in the short-term,” said Angie Rodgers, Director of Economic Development. “It complements the City's permanent activation efforts, which encourage redevelopment and attract new private investment.”

Projects must be located within one of Richmond’s designated Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (CARE) areas, which are targeted corridors identified for strategic investment and revitalization. Applicants can confirm eligibility and explore CARE area boundaries using the City’s interactive map.

To help organizations and stakeholders learn more about the program, the City will host a virtual information session on Wednesday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m. Those that are interested can register here.

Whether it’s a mural that reflects neighborhood culture, coordinated window displays that activate vacant storefronts, or a pop-up concept that brings new energy to an underutilized block, these projects are intended to create a visible impact.

Interested participants can learn more at https://richmondeda.com/activation-grants/

Following a month-long public awareness campaign in April, the City of Richmond will begin issuing citations in May for vehicles illegally parked in bike lanes and designated buffer zones. This enforcement action supports the City’s continued commitment to roadway safety for all users.

Throughout April, the Department of General Services Parking Division and the Richmond Police Department conducted a targeted warning campaign to educate people who drive and park about the dangers and legal implications of obstructing bike lanes. Beginning May 1, officers will issue violations under City Code Section 27-197 to any vehicle found parked in a bike lane or in the buffer area separating bike lanes from on-street parking.

Under the applicable City ordinance, it is unlawful to stop, stand, or park a vehicle in:

• A designated bicycle lane (2019); or
• The painted or marked buffer zone between a bicycle lane and a travel or parking lane. (NEW adopted April 27, 2026)

These buffer zones are not excess space; they are critical safety features designed to reduce the risk of “dooring” incidents. Dooring occurs when a vehicle occupant opens a door into the path of a person riding a bicycle, often resulting in serious injury. By keeping both the bike lane and its adjacent buffer clear, the City helps ensure a safer, more predictable travel lanes for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Clear signage and pavement markings are in place throughout the city to indicate restricted areas.

“Keeping bike lanes and their buffer zones clear is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can improve safety on Richmond’s streets,” said Andy Boenau, Director of the Department of Transportation. “These spaces are designed to protect people riding bikes from preventable crashes and dangerous dooring incidents. After a month focused on education and awareness, we’re moving into enforcement to reinforce that bike lanes are travel lanes, not parking spaces. This effort supports Richmond’s broader commitment to safer, more connected streets for everyone.”

Enforcement and Penalties

Effective May 1, violations will result in a citation issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. The penalty structure is as follows:

• Base fine: $65
• Additional fees: May apply if unpaid within the designated period
• Escalation: Continued violations may result in increased penalties or towing, where applicable

This enforcement initiative reflects Richmond’s broader Vision Zero and multimodal safety goals. Keeping bike lanes and buffers clear:

• Reduces crash risk
• Improves visibility for all road users
• Encourages safer cycling for both transportation to services, jobs, and housing as well as recreation

The City urges all residents and visitors to respect our bike infrastructure and remain attentive when parking. Before exiting a vehicle, drivers and passengers should check for approaching cyclists and use the “Richmond Reach” method—opening the door with the far hand—to see approaching people on bikes.

For more information about parking regulations and bicycle safety, visit https://rva.gov/public-works/new-engineering-transportation.

Today, after a thorough scrubbing with both responsible AI- and human-powered tools, the City posted the (now properly redacted) 2015–2019 payment register datasets to the Open Data Portal. You can access them here . The release of these data will be followed by the release of the equivalent dataset for FY25 in the coming months. 

These datasets were originally removed from the Open Data Portal several years ago due to the potential of unintentionally releasing sensitive and legally protected information (like residents’ Social Security Numbers). While, at the time, payment registry data went through a review process that relied on a combination of automated and manual redaction, there was still a risk that sensitive information could find its way into the Open Data Portal. To mitigate the risk, the datasets were removed and remained unpublished for several years. 

Then, this week, in an effort to restore resident, reporter, and City Council access to these datasets, the City of Richmond republished payment register data from 2015–2019. Soon after, the Department of Information Technology scanned the datasets for Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information using AI-powered tools. After finding about 60 Social Security Numbers, DIT, again, unpublished the dataset. Over the course of this week, staff from the Department of Information Technology and the Department of Finance have thoroughly scrubbed the 2015-2019 datasets and have now made them (safely) available to the public. 

Moving forward, Mayor Danny Avula has introduced ORD. 2026-081, which would update the legislation that requires publishing the payment registry data, while still “protecting confidential and personal information as required by law.” This ordinance promotes transparency and government accountability but also minimizes the risk of releasing protected data.  

“The City pulled these datasets down during the last administration due to legitimate, and now-proven, security concerns. Today, we’re safely reposting the data, and we’re incredibly excited to have introduced new legislation that will prioritize transparency AND protect privacy.” said CAO Odie Donald II. 

City Council will consider ORD. 2026-081 at their May 20 meeting.

A routine review of the Richmond Police Department’s 2026 use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology identified a policy violation involving an authorized RPD user.

The Richmond Police Department conducts monthly audits of Flock ALPR use by personnel. An audit in the first quarter of the year found a single violation involving an RPD sergeant while assisting a homicide investigation. The inquiry was not related to immigration enforcement.

The violation occurred when an RPD sergeant was asked by a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for an image of a vehicle believed to be in Richmond and connected to a homicide investigation in Washington, D.C.

“The audit process is an important safeguard to ensure this technology is used properly,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “ALPR technology has proven valuable in violent crime investigations, but these checks are necessary to maintain the proper balance between individual privacy, public safety, and compliance with Virginia law.”

The searching for and dissemination of this information to a federal law enforcement official outside of Virginia violated department policy, which prohibits sharing ALPR data with agencies outside the Commonwealth. The violation was reported to the Virginia State Police as required by state law.

“While I appreciate the sergeant’s willingness to assist in a homicide investigation, sharing ALPR data - even of a single vehicle - with federal partners or agencies outside the Commonwealth of Virginia is prohibited,” Chief Edwards added.

Following an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney was consulted; based on the facts of the case, prosecution was declined. Afterwards, an internal investigation was conducted by RPD’s Office of Professional Standards. The sergeant’s authorization to access ALPR data has been deactivated.

Should there be any compliance issues in the future, RPD will disseminate that information at our regularly scheduled quarterly crime briefings to ensure transparency with our community.