City Seeks Redevelopment of Northside Property
Richmond's Department of Housing and Community Development has invited expressions of interest for a former school site on Chamberlayne Avenue.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Remote Work
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Richmond issued a Request for Expressions of Interest on October 5 for a city-owned property at 4929 Chamberlayne Ave., a vacant former school building on just under one acre. Submissions are due to the Department of Housing and Community Development by 3 p.m. on December 18.
Why it matters
The city is seeking proposals for multi-family housing, ground-floor commercial space, community space, or a mix of those uses. The responses will shape a more detailed Request for Proposals planned for winter 2027.
The city-owned site at 4929 Chamberlayne Ave. covers just under one acre and currently holds a vacant former school building. The city has not yet identified a preferred developer or use, and the planned Request for Proposals will determine the next steps.
The players
City of Richmond Department of Housing and Community Development
The city agency responsible for reviewing expressions of interest and shaping the property's redevelopment through the forthcoming Request for Proposals.
The details
The Department of Housing and Community Development is encouraging respondents to use the full site for uses that meet the city's development goals, which include strengthening the Chamberlayne Avenue corridor, expanding housing choice, and improving connectivity to nearby amenities. The property sits near a Route 1 bus stop, the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, a future North-South Pulse BRT station, and the Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center.
Timeline
October 5: City issued the press release announcing the Request for Expressions of Interest.
December 18, 3 p.m.: Deadline for submissions to the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Winter 2027: Planned release of a more detailed Request for Proposals.
Roadmap
The solicitation applies the city's stated goals for the Chamberlayne Avenue corridor to a single publicly owned parcel. Its outcome will show how Richmond translates corridor planning into concrete housing and commercial development.
Residents near Chamberlayne Avenue could see new housing, ground-floor shops, or community space on the site depending on which proposal the city advances. The Route 1 bus stop and future BRT station nearby may make the location convenient for commuters.
The takeaway
Local development on publicly owned land often follows a multi-step process, starting with an informal interest call before a formal proposal stage. Residents who want to track the Chamberlayne site can watch for the winter 2027 Request for Proposals.
What happens next
Submissions to the Department of Housing and Community Development are due by 3 p.m. on December 18, and a detailed Request for Proposals is planned for winter 2027.
Further reading
For more on how local development intersects with work patterns, see Remote Work coverage in Richmond.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 8News.
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Should Richmond prioritize new housing on city-owned northside properties?
