title
To direct the sale of the City-owned real estate located at 1900 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.1377± acres, 1902 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.0689± acres, 1904 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.1377± acres, 1908 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.0689± acres, 1910 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.0689± acres, 1914 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.1377± acres, 2000 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.4550± acres, 2013 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of 0.1377± acres, 2001 Joshua Street, consisting of 0.2940± acres, 2015 Joshua Street, consisting of 0.1610± acres, and 2001 Fendall Avenue, consisting of 0.4920± acres to Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, Inc. for $100,000.00 for the purpose of facilitating the construction of affordable housing. (3rd District)
body
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2024-R040, adopted March 10, 2025, the Council approved the biennial real estate strategies plan entitled “Revised 2024 Biennial Real Estate Strategies Plan for City Owned Surplus Properties” and declared the City-owned real estate located at 1900 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres, 1902 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.0689 acres, 1904 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres, 1908 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.0689 acres, 1910 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.0689 acres, 1914 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres, 2000 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.4550 acres, 2013 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres, 2001 Joshua Street, consisting of approximately 0.2940 acres, 2015 Joshua Street, consisting of approximately 0.1610 acres, and 2001 Fendall Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.4920 acres, to be surplus City-owned real estate;
NOW, THEREFORE
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That, notwithstanding any provision of section 8-58 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, to the contrary, the following City-owned real estate, with the addresses and tax parcel numbers as shown in the 2025 records of the City Assessor and known as:
(a) 1900 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0368/011;
(b) 1902 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.0689 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0368/010;
(c) 1904 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0368/007;
(d) 1908 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.0689 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0368/006;
(e) 1910 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.0689 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0368/005;
(f) 1914 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0368/002;
(g) 2000 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.4550 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0402/020;
(h) 2013 Greenwood Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.1377 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0403/010;
(i) 2001 Joshua Street, consisting of approximately 0.2940 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0402/013;
(j) 2015 Joshua Street, consisting of approximately 0.1610 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0402/019; and
(k) 2001 Fendall Avenue, consisting of approximately 0.2940 acres and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0402/008;
are hereby directed to be sold to Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, Inc. for $100,000.00, for the purpose of facilitating the construction of affordable housing, in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the Charter of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, and the Constitution of Virginia.
§ 2. That, the properties described in Section 1 of this ordinance shall revert to the City of Richmond in the event that Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, Inc. does not complete the construction of no less than 14 affordable housing units, comprised of single family or duplex dwelling units, or a combination of the foregoing, within five years after the sale.
§ 3. That, pursuant to section 8-65(b) of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the Chief Administrative Officer is hereby directed to execute, on behalf of the City, the deed and such other documents, all of which must first be approved as to form by the City Attorney, as may be necessary to consummate the sale of the real estate authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance.
§ 4. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
O&R Transmittal
DATE: June 11, 2025 EDITION: 1
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Sharon Ebert, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Brandon Hinton, Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sheila White, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown - Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Gail Johnson, Director of General Services
FROM: Chris Nizamis, Real Estate Manager - Real Estate Strategies/DGS
RE: To direct the sale of surplus City-owned real estate located in the Northside of Richmond within the Southern Barton Heights (Council District #3) area, to include the following parcel ID’s:
• 1900 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000368011)
• 1902 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000368010)
• 1904 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000368007)
• 1908 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000368006)
• 1910 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000368005)
• 1914 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000368002)
• 2000 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000402020)
• 2013 Greenwood Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000403010)
• 2001 Fendall Ave./(Tax Parcel No. N0000402008)
• 2001 Joshua St./(Tax Parcel No. N0000402013)
• 2015 Joshua St./(Tax Parcel No. N0000402019)
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: An ordinance (i) to direct the sale of the City-owned real estate located in the Southern Barton Heights area of the City, consisting of eleven (11) parcels totaling 2.161± acres for one hundred thousand ($100,000.00) dollars to the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, a a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable single family/duplex residential housing project and (ii) to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute, on behalf of the City, a Purchase, Sale & Development agreement, deed, and such other documents as may be necessary to consummate the sale of the parcels and to impose the following Affordable Housing Development Obligations upon Purchaser.
BACKGROUND: The subject 11 parcels, consisting of approximate 2.161± acres are vacant/unimproved City-owned parcels located in the Northside of Richmond within the Southern Barton Heights neighborhood. They were declared surplus by City Council via Council’s approval of the 2024 Biennial Real Estate Strategies Plan (Res. 2024-R040). The requested ordinance would authorize the City to convey the Properties to Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity (Richmond Habitat), a non-profit entity, for the development of affordable housing rental units. The parcels are located within Council District 3.
The Southern Barton Heights neighborhood consists of 56.34% of the housing is owner occupied; 31.21% of the housing is renter occupied; 12.45% of the housing is vacant; and the population is 81.11% Black with a median household income of $58,750. This is the population that Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity serves.
Many of the Northside Richmond neighborhoods have become extremely popular areas for renovation activity which is primarily due in large part to the proximity of Northside to Downtown and its historic significance and architecture.
The Southern Barton Heights neighborhood is one of the City’s priority areas targeted to improve the current housing stock creating sustainable and affordable housing development.
The properties on Greenwood Avenue are less than 1 mile from the Highland Grove development planned for 500 Dove Street (23222). Richmond Habitat is a project partner.
The planned development will include single duplex units and single family, detached or over under duplex affordable units. Richmond Habitat proposes to work with designers to determine the highest and best use for each lot.
Offeror indicated the following anticipated benefits to the City 1) high-quality new affordable housing units in the Southern Barton Heights corridor; 2) “middle housing” - building duplexes to maximize density and increase the number of households with lower incomes; 3) homeownership opportunities among the families who currently reside in the Southern Barton Heights area to offset displacement; 4) homes that are compatible with the scale, density, and style of the surrounding neighborhood complementing, supporting, protecting, and enhancing the neighborhood historic character.
The parcels are currently vacant land. The Purchaser’s proposed development/use as described within Purchaser’s unsolicited offer submitted to the City on April 23, 2024, a copy of which is attached hereto. Summary of proposed purchase/use as set forth in the offer:
|
# |
Address |
Council District |
Parcel Number |
Acreage |
Proposed Purchase Price |
Proposed Use |
Housing Units |
|
1 |
1900 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000368011 |
0.138 |
$ 10,000.00 |
1 duplex = 2 affordable homes |
2 |
|
2 |
1902 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000368010 |
0.069 |
$ 10,000.00 |
1 single-family, detached or over-under duplex = 2 affordable homes |
2 |
|
3 |
1904 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000368007 |
0.138 |
$ 10,000.00 |
1 duplex = 2 affordable homes |
2 |
|
4 |
1908 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000368006 |
0.069 |
$ 10,000.00 |
1 single-family, detached or over-under duplex = 2 affordable homes |
2 |
|
5 |
1910 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000368005 |
0.069 |
$ 10,000.00 |
1 single-family, detached or over-under duplex = 2 affordable homes |
2 |
|
6 |
1914 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000368002 |
0.138 |
$ 10,000.00 |
1 duplex = 2 affordable homes |
2 |
|
7 |
2000 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000402020 |
0.455 |
$ 10,000.00 |
TBD |
|
|
8 |
2013 Greenwood Ave |
3 |
N0000403010 |
0.138 |
$ 10,000.00 |
1 duplex = 2 affordable homes |
2 |
|
9 |
2001 Fendall Ave |
3 |
N0000402008 |
0.492 |
$ 10,000.00 |
TBD |
TBD |
|
10 |
2001 Joshua St |
3 |
N0000402013 |
0.294 |
$ 5,000.00 |
TBD |
TBD |
|
11 |
2015 Joshua St |
3 |
N0000402019 |
0.161 |
$ 5,000.00 |
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
$100,000.00 |
|
14 |
Purchase Price: $100,000. The reduced acquisition price will enable the Purchaser to better respond to community needs by creating greater affordability and improving project finance flexibility.
Proposed Use: Offeror is a non-profit organization that helps families build and improve places to call their home. They believe affordable housing plays a role that is critical in building strong and stable communities. Richmond Habitat proposes to create 14+ new affordable single family/duplex housing units and homeownership opportunities for residents earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Additional Info:
o Offeror’s estimated average cost per unit = $182,858 (1,082 sq. ft. x $169/sq. ft.). This cost assumes a single-family duplex of 1,080 sq. ft. and a “sticks and bricks” cost of $169/sq. ft.
o The Proposal notes that Richmond Habitat will leverage other funding opportunities such as VHDA and ASNH funding - a potential investment of $750,000 in outside resources to develop affordable housing in Richmond.
o In addition to the positive effect of creating more choice and more affordability, the project is projected to add approximately $38,280 of projected tax revenue.
o Jobs - The Purchaser estimates the project to generate one-hundred ten (110) temporary construction related jobs.
The Purchaser (Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity) offers:
o The Offeror (Richmond Habitat) is a Class A General Contractor that has been building and rehabilitating homes to create and maintain affordable housing in the greater Richmond area since 1986. Richmond Habitat builds, rehabs, and provides critical home repairs for homes in the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield and Henrico. They have experience building both single-family, detached homes and single-family, attached duplexes. To date they have built/rehabilitated 391 houses and have completed 143+ critical home repairs. The Offeror obtained their Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) status in 2021.
o The Offeror serves individual families with AMIs in the 30 - 60% range and provides their partner families with zero percent, or zero percent equivalent, inter mortgages to ensure that costs do not exceed 25% of their partner family’s income.
o Offeror is currently a project partner working in collaboration with Better Housing Coalition, project:HOMES, and the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust to construct Highland Grove, a 33-acre, mixed-income subdivision encompassing the redevelopment and revitalization of the former Dove Court public housing complex in North Richmond.
o The organization is experienced in handling complex developments, with most of its projects incorporating multiple phases, uses, income levels, lenders and investors. It has built a strong reputation as a firm that sets and achieves ambitious goals centered around community benefits.
An ordinance is necessary to convey the parcels to the Purchaser and facilitate a redevelopment that yields a higher and better use on such surplus city-owned property and increases the availability of affordable dwelling units within the city.
The City Administration recommends approval. In this instance, this Unsolicited Offer represents the best economic option for the City.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The developer has held various public information sessions with local community associations. Each project and the population it serves are entirely unique however one component that ties all of them together is their commitment to robust and hands-on community engagement. Neighborhood engagement produces better plans and better outcomes, so they are committed to meeting with the community to understand how the project might seamlessly stitch into a community.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL:
• The subject parcel is included on the “2020 Biennial Real Estate Strategies Plan”, approved by City Council (Res. No. 2021-R024)
• The development will contribute to meeting the City’s goal of 1,000 new affordable units annually (One Richmond - An Equitable Affordable Housing Plan)
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: City to receive one-time payment of purchase price in the amount of $100,000 to the general fund. Additionally, following the conveyance, the currently tax-exempt parcels will become taxable resulting in future annual real estate tax revenues. This project would create short-term job creation and long-term increased tax revenue having impacts to the City’s overall economic benefits.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption of this Ordinance
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: July 28, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 22, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation sub-committee (September 16, 2025).
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the City Attorney, Department of Planning and Development Review and the Department of General Services.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS:
Unsolicited Offer
Unsolicited Offer Notice Memo
City Assessor’s Property Profile including photos, parcel map, etc.
STAFF: Christopher Nizamis - Real Estate Manager/Real Estate Strategies - DGS