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City staff updates Planning Commission on HUD-backed Jackson Ward Community Plan and early-action projects
Summary
City planners and RRHA staff updated the commission on the Jackson Ward Community Plan (HUD Choice Neighborhood planning grant), early-action projects including the Calhoun Center splash pad and pool renovations, RHA first-build proposals and ongoing community engagement; funding for full implementation (CNI) is not yet secured.
City planning staff presented an update on the Jackson Ward Community Plan, reporting that the plan — developed with a $450,000 HUD Choice Neighborhoods planning grant and multiple rounds of community engagement — has been reviewed and approved by HUD and is being prepared for the city adoption process.
Planner Milan Neil summarized the plan’s scope, which covers Jackson Ward on both sides of the Richmond–Petersburg Turnpike (I-95), and described five themes and 21 goals that align with HUD Choice Neighborhood objectives (housing, people, neighborhood). Neil highlighted six implementation 'big moves,' including rezoning, reconnecting Jackson Ward, a civic network, Fall Line Trail implementation, a small-business initiative and a 'build-first' redevelopment strategy for Gilpin Court.
Neil reported HUD provided comments and that the plan was resubmitted; HUD gave conditional approval in August 2024. The team is preparing minor edits for clarity and expects to reconvene the steering committee and continue community engagement ahead of adoption. As an early-action piece, city and RRHA work is underway to renovate the Calhoun Center and construct a splash pad with an anticipated completion next June; interior pool renovations also are planned this summer.
Cheryl Hampton, senior vice president for real estate and community development at the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), told the commission RRHA will keep HUD informed of changes and emphasized resident involvement in redevelopment. She said Choice Neighborhoods implementation (CNI) funding has not been allocated at the federal level yet; however, RRHA has a 'first-build' site proposal and reported one of the first-build components had tax-credit funding and a competitively procured developer (HRI) engaged to move that portion forward.
Janice Allen, president of the Historic Jackson Ward Association, said the association supports moving the plan forward but cautioned it is a large undertaking that must be carefully managed to honor history and residents.
Next steps: staff will make minor non-substantive edits, reconvene the steering committee and prepare materials to bring the plan forward for formal adoption as an element of the city's master plan. No Council action was taken at this meeting; the presentation was for information and planning next steps.
