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To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of the City-owned real estate known as 301 Boroughbridge Road, consisting of 3.636± acres, 201 Covington Road, consisting of 1.284± acres, 209 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, 301 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, 307 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, and 313 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres and commonly known as Sankofa Community Orchard, for nominal consideration to Central Virginia Agrarian Commons for the purpose of facilitating urban agriculture.
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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 City-owned real estate located at 301 Boroughbridge Road, consisting of approximately 3.636 acres, 201 Covington Road, consisting of approximately 1.284 acres, 209 Covington Road, consisting of approximately 0.367 acres, 301 Covington Road, consisting of approximately of 0.367 acres, 307 Covington Road, consisting of approximately of 0.367 acres, and 313 Covington Road, consisting of approximately 0.367 acres, and identified as Tax Parcel Nos. C005-1045/032, C005-1045/020, C005-1045/022, C005-1045/024, C005-1045/026, and C005-1045/028, respectively, in the 2026 records of the City Assessor, is hereby declared surplus real estate and directed to be conveyed to Central Virginia Agrarian Commons for nominal consideration for the purpose of facilitating urban agriculture in accordance with the applicable provisions of 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 Chief Administrative Officer is hereby directed to execute, for and on behalf of the City, the deed and such documents, all of which must first be approved as to form by the City Attorney, as may be necessary to consummate the conveyance of the real estate owned by the City of Richmond located at 301 Boroughbridge Road, 201 Covington Road, 209 Covington Road, 301 Covington Road, 307 Covington Road, and 313 Covington Road, commonly known as Sankofa Community Orchard, and identified as Tax Parcel Nos. C005-1045/032, C005-1045/020, C00-51045/022, C005-1045/024, C005-1045/026, and C005-1045/028, respectively, in the 2026 records of the City Assessor.
§ 3. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: November 11, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Amy Popovich, DCAO for Human Services
FROM: Christopher E. Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
RE: Transfer of five city owned parcels to Central Virginia Agrarian Commons (CVAC)
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of the City-owned real estate known as 301 Boroughbridge Road, consisting of 3.636± acres, 201 Covington Road, consisting of 1.284± acres, 209 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, 301 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, 307 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, and 313 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres and commonly known as Sankofa Community Orchard, for nominal consideration to Central Virginia Agrarian Commons for the purpose of facilitating urban agriculture.
BACKGROUND: Established in 2021, Sankofa Community Orchard is a two-acre garden in Richmond’s Southside that embodies food justice, environmental resilience, and community building. Created by food justice advocate Duron Chavis through Richmond Grows Gardens, the orchard features over 80 fruit trees, 30 blueberry bushes, raised beds, an outdoor kitchen with solar panels, murals by local Black artists, and event space. More than just growing produce, the Orchard is envisioned as a gathering place that uses food as a tool to break down barriers across class, gender, and generation, while acknowledging historical inequities like the Southside annexation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: After introduction, the proposed ordinance will be referred to future Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee meeting for discussion, where the public is encouraged to attend to provide comments. After the committee’s recommendation to the City Council, Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: None.
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: N/A.
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: The transfer of these parcels will not have a fiscal impact the city. The parcels have been maintained by CVAC since 2021.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: January 12, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: January 26, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation
AFFECTED AGENCIES: PRCF
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: Res. No. 2021-R032 <https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4964695&GUID=33012027-7247-4BA4-AC71-71F521503583>
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A - Property Descriptions
STAFF: Christopher Frelke, Director, PRCF - (804) 646-1128
Nissa Richardson, Deputy Director, PRCF - (804) 646-5619
Daniel Hazlett, Senior Management Analyst, PRCF - (804) 646-7506