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Council advances $5M Whitewater Gorge grant application to second reading

Richmond Common Council · April 7, 2026

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Summary

Richmond parks officials requested council permission to submit a $5 million Ready2 arts and culture grant for the Whitewater Gorge activation project (amphitheater, plaza and venue improvements). Council advanced the ordinance to second reading; no local match required.

Park Superintendent Denise Retz asked the Richmond Common Council on April 6 to approve submission, acceptance and appropriation of a regional Ready2 arts and culture grant application for the Whitewater Gorge activation project.

Retz said the project scope includes development of an amphitheater, construction of a plaza connecting the amphitheater to the Star Gannett building, and venue improvements. She said the city has already identified $9,575,000 in committed leverage funding (including Lilly Foundation support and other partners) and would apply for $5,000,000 from the statewide Ready2 fund; Retz said the program requires no local match though projects demonstrating strong leverage score higher.

Councilors asked whether the requested funds were part of the previously discussed $11 million bond; Retz said the $5 million would be additional and that $1 million was listed as a potential pending funding source in the grant application but was not a committed amount.

The council voted to advance Ordinance 23‑20‑26 to second reading by suspending the rules. The public hearing portion of second reading remains the opportunity for formal public comment prior to final action.