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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond and Sampson Paints, LLC for the purpose of facilitating the construction of a public park and green space located at 311 Bainbridge Street. (6th District)
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to execute a Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond and Sampson Paints, LLC for the purpose of facilitating the construction of a public park and green space located at 311 Bainbridge Street. The Lease Agreement shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and shall be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
O&R Transmittal
DATE: August 18, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sharon Ebert, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer / Planning & Economic Development Portfolio
THROUGH: Chris Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
THROUGH: Angie Rodgers, Director of Economic Development
FROM: Chris Nizamis, Real Estate Manager - Real Estate Strategies/DED
RE: Deed of Lease for a City-owned real estate known as 311 Bainbridge Street (parcel ID # S0000035001) to Sampson Paints, LLC for the development of a park/green space.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To direct the Deed of Lease of the City-owned real estate located at 311 Bainbridge Street, consisting of 0.350± acres, to Sampson Paints, LLC. (Lessee) for the purpose of facilitating the construction of a new park/green space to be open to the general public.
BACKGROUND: The Lessee seeks the Subject Parcel to create a "pocket park" and will offer green space and the connection to the various amenities in the area including the Slave Trail, Flood Wall Trail and Mayo Island Park.
The initial lease term will be for a five-year term (5-years) with three (3) five-year options to renew at an annual rental of one-dollar ($1.00). Said rent amount is offered in lieu of the Lessee assuming all of the risk of and costs related to the property for the proposed use which is anticipated to be in the $500,000.00+ range (actual expenditure TBD).
The current use of the irregular shaped Subject Parcel is an unimproved, industrial vacant land parcel at .350± acres and is not currently in use. Unauthorized parking and vehicle storage is occurring on the property. The revitalization of the property will remove a portion of the perceived blight along this portion of Bainbridge Street and will transform the site into an attractive and useful community asset. It will also serve as a demonstration of innovative efforts and technologies for new and redevelopment projects within the City.
The current zoning for the subject property is RF-2 Riverfront and is currently assessed at $881,000.00 (2026). The FMV appraisal of the property is $840,000.00. The subject parcel is located in Council District #6.
The Lessee shall not make any site improvements to the Subject Parcel (leased premises) until detailed design, development plans and maintenance plans are submitted to the Director of Parks, Recreation, Community Facilities for added review and approval.
Miscellaneous information includes:
• A potential acquisition of the City-owned subject parcel may be incorporated with the Lessee’s existing site located at 411 Bainbridge Street for future development plans to accommodate a variety of uses, including office, retail, hotel, residential or a mix of these uses that supports and will promote significant growth for the area. This is based on the stipulation that a future proposed change in use for the parcel would require additional City approvals and payment of fair market value at the time of the conveyance. NOTE: due to the size and configuration of the subject parcel, along with set-back requirements and zoning stipulations, the parcel, as a stand-alone parcel, is not conducive to be developed on its own. Should this occur, City impacts will include that a portion of West 4th Street, between Bainbridge Street and Porter Streets, will need to be abandoned to accommodate the project and any future combined site development.
• The proposed development as a pocket park:
o will revitalize and enhance the local community;
o will increase neighboring property values;
o will provide impacts to the City through construction/temporary job creation;
o will help in the decrease of crime and increase public safety and awareness;
o will meet increased green space objectives as stated in the Richmond 300 Master Plan and James River Park Planning;
o and will provide decreases in the “urban heat island effect” through the proposed landscaping design elements being proposed for the pocket park.
• A Special Use Permit (SUP) or similar rezoning efforts will be needed to accommodate the proposed use;
• Sampson Paints, LLC has been involved with the revitalization of the former Reynolds South Plant and Sampson Paint Facility in Manchester. Their efforts have resulted in $200,000,000± in private investment, including $5,000,000± in infrastructure improvements to reconnect the street grid and add sidewalks throughout the 8.5 block area. Offeror is well qualified and has the ability to perform as stipulated within the Deed of Lease;
• Sampson Paints, LLC is active in the Manchester Task Force, who has engaged Marvel to advance planning efforts for many facets of Manchester. One priority is providing a comprehensive design for future greenspace (i.e. pocket park) interwoven within existing and future development. The goal is to activate the canal fronting properties with pedestrian/bike friendly pathways and public spaces to add an amenity that will attract future businesses and residents and serve as a differentiating asset for Manchester/downtown RVA. The 311 Bainbridge site needs to be included in order to maximize the impact of the overall master plan.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: None, however, this request has received the full support of the City of Richmond Administration.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL:
• The subject parcel, along with the proposed park development will meet increased green space objectives as stated in the Richmond 300 Master Plan and James River Park Planning.
FISCAL IMPACT: Direct revenue to the City of Richmond from the Deed of Lease will be one-dollar ($1.00) per year for each of the initial 5-year lease term, along with any subsequent renewal term(s).
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: October 13, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: November 9, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation (LUHT) Standing Committee Meeting (October 20, 2026).
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of the City Attorney, the Department of Economic Development/Real Estate Strategies and Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS:
• Deed of Lease
• Subject Parcel Supporting Documentation including aerial images, Richmond Parcel Mapper, parcel site plans, etc.
• Conceptual Site Plan of proposed project
STAFF: Christopher Nizamis, Real Estate Manager - Real Estate Strategies/DED