During the Richmond City Council meeting on September 8, 2025, a significant discussion arose regarding the sale of city surplus properties. Mark Cronenthahl, representing developer Cameron Bajwa, addressed the council about an offer made for 11 acres of land that had been listed as surplus by the city. Cronenthahl emphasized that the offer was based on the properties being publicly advertised on the city’s surplus list, which had been accessible on the city’s website.

The conversation highlighted concerns about the transparency and consistency of the process for handling unsolicited offers for city properties. Council members expressed the need for clarity on the assessed value of the properties, especially since recent assessments had been conducted. Cronenthahl confirmed that the offer was made according to the assessed value at the time, but he noted uncertainty about whether this value remained consistent following the latest assessments.

Councilwoman Trammell pointed out that Cronenthahl could provide further details, indicating the importance of having accurate information available for council discussions. The dialogue underscored the council's commitment to ensuring a fair and open process in the sale of city assets, as well as the need for timely information to guide their decisions.

As the council continues to navigate the complexities of property sales, the outcome of this discussion could set a precedent for future transactions involving city surplus properties.