Richmond Public Schools proposes new Woodville Elementary School on Fairfield Avenue

The Richmond City Urban Design Committee convened on March 13, 2025, to discuss a significant project: the conceptual review of the new Woodville Elementary School. This initiative aims to replace the existing school, which has been in operation since 1954 but is now facing challenges due to aging infrastructure and functional limitations.

The proposed site for the new school is located at 2345 Fairfield Avenue, covering approximately 15.72 acres. The new facility will be a three-story building, spanning 72,000 square feet, designed to accommodate 500 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, along with one pre-kindergarten classroom. The design emphasizes accessibility, safety, and sustainability, featuring native landscaping, walking paths, playgrounds, recreational fields, and dedicated drop-off and bus loops.

During the meeting, committee members reviewed the staff report detailing the project's plans and conditions. Notably, the existing Woodville Elementary School will remain operational throughout the construction phase, with demolition scheduled for the final phase. After the old school is removed, the site will be transformed into a greenfield for future use.

The need for a new Woodville Elementary School has been highlighted in various capital improvement plans over the years. However, previous funding efforts fell short of securing full project approval. To address this, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) has applied for environmental and climate justice community change grants and selected a team of engineers and consultants to lead the net-zero energy design effort for the new facility.

This project not only represents a significant investment in the community's educational infrastructure but also reflects a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. As the planning progresses, the Urban Design Committee will continue to monitor developments and ensure that the new school meets the community's needs and expectations.