Mayoral candidates respond to VCU’s expansion in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. – All five mayoral candidates took the civic debate stage on Tuesday.

The debate took place at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC) and was co-sponsored by Richmond First, VMHC’s John Marshall Center, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and WTVR CBS 6.

Host Greg McQuade and panelists Bob Holsworth, Chris Coates and Reba Hollingsworth asked 11 questions to the candidates – Andreas Addison, Danny Avula, Michelle Mosby, Maurice Neblett and Harrison Roday.

The ninth question of the debate was: How do you assess VCU’s role in the city?

Harrison Roday

We know that a successful future for the City of Richmond depends on a strong partnership between the City and VCU. VCU is part of the state. In many situations, the city can’t really tell VCU what to do. And often it is a good-faith negotiation and partnership not only between a college but also one of the largest and most important hospital systems in Virginia.

So a strong partnership is needed.

It’s true that as VCU physically expands its local presence, it will no longer pay real estate taxes, and that represents an annual impact of over $100 million. So it’s a big deal.

I firmly believe that through good faith negotiations we can work with VCU to find solutions that work for the city and the university, and that is exactly what I will do as mayor.

Michelle Mosby

VCU, in turn, is an important partner to the City of Richmond in many ways because we have VCU’s young residents here in our great city.

However, as a former council representative, it was very important to me to make sure that when we were drafting development agreements, we went about it in a way that maybe a lease could come about, that some other things could happen.

We have many different property tax records in our city, and so we have to find creative ways so that we can’t continue to stay in a place where we don’t get tax dollars.

That’s why, as mayor, I am committed to continuing to partner with VCU, but in a way that contributes to the well-being of our city.

Andrew Addison

Within a month, VCU came before the City Council to explain how Activation Capital’s new building would be smaller than expected, from a $50 million investment to $30 million. And then a month later, they say, we’re going to try to buy Altria Research Center for $275 million. I see this challenge in real estate and investing for the things we know we need.

The Activation Capital Center should serve research and development and attract jobs and research dollars to flow through our city. By reducing that, we now also reduce the ability to track those investments. And rather than accept that, we’re looking at a $275 million investment, untaxed mind you, if they complete this deal. And these are the challenges we have with the city center.

Since City Hall has not prioritized the investments and creation of the vibrancy we want to see in the downtown corridor, we are letting VCU decide which land to invest in.

It is time for City Hall to take control of our land and real estate and create an investment plan for downtown.

Dr. Danny Avula

We must recognize that VCU plays a critical role in the economic and cultural health of our city.

You know, in the 24 years I’ve been here, I’ve seen the city change because of VCU’s investments. But we also face a significant challenge as 28% of property in the City of Richmond is tax-exempt, with much of it owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and VCU.

That’s why, as mayor, I will absolutely ensure that we have a positive relationship with VCU as partners, but I will fight tirelessly to ensure that they balance the tax exemption they have with other financial investments in our city.

This is the only way we can move forward together and in partnership.

Maurice Neblett

I love VCU and MCV, but they are playing hot potato in this matter. They’re trying to figure out how to avoid paying the taxes when they’ve already committed to taking over the building.

The thing is, I want to make sure I commend the mayor for his transparency and directness on this matter.

Here we have to transform change into challenge and resistance. Even though we have the state, even though it is the Dillon Rule, we need to have more bargaining and bargaining power.

As Mayor of the City of Richmond, I want to make sure I keep my foot forward, even if it tips over. I really want to work to ensure that we get more funding from the state. Our first responders service many state buildings downtown. We need more revenue. We need more help.

Find out more about the candidates

We have summarized each debate question here:

Watch the full debate here or on our YouTube channel.

CBS 6 interviewed each candidate before the debate, which you can find here:

For more information about this year’s election – and how to vote in the city of Richmond or surrounding areas – check out WTVR’s Virginia Voter’s Guide.

You can check your voter registration here. The last day to register to vote is October 15th.

What are your hopes for Richmond’s next mayor? Email the CBS 6 Newsroom and let us know.

Note: WTVR used AI software to transcribe the debate, and newsroom staff provided editing for clarity.