Richmond’s terminal vision problem (Guest Commentary)

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I’ve spent years inside Richmond’s decision-making rooms, on City Council, chairing the Land Use Committee, serving on the Planning Commission, and on the GRTC Board of Directors. I’ve seen firsthand how we miss the big plays because our own teams – Planning, Economic Development, Public Works, Public Utilities – aren’t pulling in the same direction.

Which is why what’s happening at the Intermediate Terminal site is so frustrating. Richmond owns the land. The James River runs right by it. The Pulse BRT stops at its door. And yet our grand vision? Sell one building and hope for the best.

It’s a familiar Richmond story: a once-in-a-generation opportunity reduced to a single transaction. No district plan. No rezoning to match the potential. No roadmap fo