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To grant a conservation and open-space easement on the property known as 501 South 14th Street, 501 1R South 14th Street, 505 South 14th Street, 508 South 14th Street, and a portion of 503 South 14th Street, each a portion of the property known as Mayo’s Island, to the Capital Region Land Conservancy, Inc. and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
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WHEREAS, the City, as owner of the property known as 501 South 14th Street, 501 1R South 14th Street, 505 South 14th Street, 508 South 14th Street, and a portion of 503 South 14th Street, each a portion of the property known as Mayo’s Island, desires to grant a conservation and open-space easement in accordance with the Virginia Conservation Easement Act, Va Code Ann. §§ 10.1-1009-10.1-1016.1, and the Open-Space Land Act, Va Code Ann. §§ 10.1-1700-10.1-1705.1;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the City, as grantor, hereby grants a conservation and open-space easement
on the property known as 501 South 14th Street, 501 1R South 14th Street, 505 South 14th Street. 508 South 14th Street, and a portion of 503 South 14th Street, each a portion of the property known as Mayo’s Island, to the Capital Region Land Conservancy, Inc. and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, as grantees.
§ 2. That such conservation and open-space easement shall be substantially in the form of the Deed of Conservation and Open-Space Easement attached to and incorporated into this ordinance and shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney.
§ 3. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption
DATE: June 30, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Sharon Ebert, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer - Human Services
FROM: Christopher E. Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
RE: Placing the real properties known as 501, 501 1R, 503, 505 and 508 South 14th Street, the City-owned parcels of the property known as Mayo’s Island, under a conservation and open-space easement.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To grant a conservation and open-space easement on the property known as 501 South 14th Street, 501 1R South 14th Street, 503 South 14th Street, 505 South 14th Street and 508 South 14th Street, each a portion of the property generally known as Mayo’s Island, to the Capital Region Land Conservancy, Inc. and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
BACKGROUND: The subject property is the City-owned parcels of Mayo’s Island. Mayo’s Island sits within the James River at the bottom of the river’s fall line and is bounded on the left and right banks by the Northside and Southside levees systems, respectively. The City’s intention is to convert Mayo’s Island from private use to public parkland as part of the James River Park System. Adding the parcels into a conservation easement is one of the requirements for the City of Richmond to recoup $7.5 million in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) and $1.5 million through the Virginia Community Land Fund.
PRCF is prepared for the ongoing maintenance after the acquisition of this property.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Not applicable.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: James River Park System Master Plan; Richmond Riverfront Plan, Richmond 300.
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: Department of Public Utilities
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: There are no upfront costs associated with this property being placed under a conservation and open-space easement. However, if the easement is not established, the city would not be able to recoup $9 million in grant funds that was used to purchase the parcels.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: June 23, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: July 28, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Planning Commission
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: Ordinance No. 2023-124 (paper to acquire Mayo Island parcels) and Ordinance No. 2023-123 (paper to accept CFPF grant funds)
ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit A - Conservation and Open-Space Easement
STAFF: Christopher Frelke, Director, PRCF
Nissa Dean, Deputy Director, PRCF
Daniel Hazlett, Senior Management Analyst, PRCF