The Jackson Ward Community Plan draft has been released to the public and Richmonders can provide direct comments through Sunday, Aug. 27.

Context

The city's plan to reconnect Jackson Ward has been in motion since December 2021. Now, there's a Jackson Ward Community Plan draft that officials are prepping to send to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in November.

The plan is designed to guide the growth of Jackson Ward, including the redevlopment of Gilpin Court. In the 1950s, Virginia bisected the neighborhood by building I-95 and I-64 through it. The interstate displaced 10% of the city’s Black population and decentralized the area as a key factor of the city center.

Richmonders respond to a poll at a Reconnect Jackson Ward community meeting. | Photo via City of Richmond documents

Inside the plan

Officials used community input collected over a year and a half to create five themes, 20 goals, and six big moves. The themes are:

Diverse Economy | Renew the neighborhood as a hub of Black education, business, arts, and culture.
Inclusive Housing | Make the neighborhood a model for including affordable housing throughout a community.
High-Quality Places | Preserve the character and fabric of the neighborhood.
Equitable Transportation | Prioritize a safe, multi-modal transportation network.
Thriving Environment | Provide residents with sustainable and healthy places to live, work, and play.

Pro tip: Navigate the draft plan easily by referencing the summary flier, which has corresponding page numbers for each theme.

The big moves are designed to support the themes and goals. They include establishing a Small Business Hub and a Jackson Ward Civic Network, as well as adding new bridges or freeway lids to reconnect the bisected sections of the neighborhood.

Get involved

The draft plan is interactive, so members of the public can add comments directly on the document. You can also share your thoughts via email.

After comments are received and the draft is finalized, there will be a community celebration on Thursday, Oct. 12 before the final plan is submitted to HUD.

Stay updated on the plan by signing up for the email list.