New stadium anchors Diamond District as premier sports and entertainment destination  

Richmond, VA — Yesterday, the City of Richmond, in partnership with the Richmond Economic Development Authority (EDA), Navigators Baseball, LLC (Richmond Flying Squirrels), and project stakeholders, celebrated the official opening of CarMax Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Centerfield Gates.

The ceremony, which preceded the Flying Squirrels’ 2026 home opener, marked a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Diamond District into a vibrant, mixed-use sports and entertainment destination.

“We are thrilled to finally cut the ribbon and open the gates on this stunning anchor to what will surely be a corridor-of-choice for residents and visitors near and far,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Walking through the park, seeing the joy and feeling the energy, it’s impossible not to get excited about what the park means for this area and for our City and I can’t wait to see how the Diamond District continues to unfold over the coming years.”

CarMax Park, the new home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, is designed to host thousands of fans while also supporting a wide range of events, from concerts and festivals to community gatherings and corporate experiences, positioning the venue as a year-round destination.

Project & Partnership

The development of CarMax Park is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the City of Richmond, the Richmond Economic Development Authority, and the Richmond Flying Squirrels.  

Construction of the stadium was led by Gilbane Building Company as general contractor, with project management led by Navigators Stadium Developer LP through Machete Group, ensuring delivery of a modern, multi-purpose venue built for both game day and year-round activation.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was emceed by Squirrels General Manager Anthony Oppermann and featured brief remarks and participation from key partners, including representatives from CarMax, Richmond Flying Squirrels leadership, Major League Baseball, and City leadership.

Participants included:

•    Mayor Danny Avula   
•    Cynthia Newbille, Richmond City Council President and 7th District   
•    Katherine Jordan, Richmond City Council 2nd District   
•    Stephanie Lynch, Richmond City Council 5th District  
•    Nicole Jones, Richmond City Council 9th District  
•    Sarah Abubaker, Richmond City Council 4th District 
•    Angie Rodgers, City of Richmond Department of Economic Development   
•    Ben Rothrock, Chief Operating Officer, Richmond Flying Squirrels   
•    Lou DiBella, President & Managing General Partner, Richmond Flying Squirrels   
•    Sarah Lane, Chief Marketing Officer, CarMax  
•    Morgan Sword, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, Major League Baseball  

“CarMax Park is an incredible addition to Richmond and a powerful reflection of our city’s energy and momentum,” said Angie Rodgers, Director of Economic Development for the City of Richmond. “We’re excited to kick off the season in this amazing venue and to see the continued transformation of the Diamond District come to life.”

Looking Ahead

As the first major component of the Diamond District to open, CarMax Park sets the stage for continued investment and development across the area, including future residential, commercial, and hospitality projects led by Thalhimer Realty Partners/Diamond District Partners.

In the coming months, Richmonders will begin to see additional construction surrounding the ballpark, including a new street grid and additional infrastructure improvements. This infrastructure will serve Phase 1A of the Diamond District, which includes The Doma, a new 274-unit multifamily development, and a trophy office building; both of which will be supported with a new structured parking garage adjacent to both parcels. Plans also include a 180-key hotel, more than 30,000 square feet of retail, and 163 units of affordable housing.  

Together, these investments will shape a connected, dynamic neighborhood that attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and enhances the quality of life for Richmond residents.

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About CarMax Park

CarMax Park is a state-of-the-art stadium and the new home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. With capacity for 10,000 fans, 26 premium suites, and flexible event spaces, the venue is designed to host everything from baseball games to year-round events and experiences. 

Photos of the ribbon cutting ceremony and of opening day can be found here .  
 

The Richmond City Electoral Board will hold a public meeting with the following details:

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Location: 2134 W. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227

This notice is being provided to alert the public that an Electoral Board meeting is scheduled. The agenda for this meeting will be posted once it has been reviewed and approved by the Electoral Board.

Please note that the agenda is subject to change. Items may be added, removed, or modified prior to or during the meeting, as permitted by law.

This meeting will be recorded.

Additional updates related to meeting logistics will be communicated as necessary.

Meeting Agenda - 04/19/26 - updated 04/17/26

For questions regarding this meeting, please email us at electoral.board@rva.gov.

The Electoral Board will conduct Logic & Accuracy (L&A) testing of voting equipment in preparation for the upcoming election.

Logic & Accuracy testing is a public process used to verify that voting equipment is properly programmed and accurately records and tabulates votes as expected before ballots are cast.

Testing Details

This testing is part of the Office’s ongoing efforts to help ensure the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the election process.

Five-Year Plan to Align Federal Funding with Housing and Community Development Needs  

Richmond, VA  —The City of Richmond is inviting residents to share feedback on draft plans for its 2026 – 2030 Consolidated Plan and Program Year 2026 Annual Action Plan. Together, these plans align and focus federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to meet the City’s housing and community development needs.  

The public comment period begins today, April 1, 2026 and will continue through Tuesday, May 12 at 5:00pm. See below for ways to participate, including upcoming, in-person sessions to learn more about the Consolidated Plan and deliver your feedback.  

About the Consolidated Plan Process:

Each year, the City of Richmond received federal funds through four programs: 

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

The City uses these funds to support a wide range of public and private entities that are providing critical services to housing and community development needs across the City, including: social services, home repairs for low-income homeowners, construction of new affordable housing, and first-time homebuyer education and down payment assistance, among others.  

The 2026-2030 Consolidated Planning process began in Fall 2025 with a needs assessment and priority setting in consultation with residents. Feedback from these in-person and virtual engagement sessions were consolidated and incorporated into this draft plan which is once again being presented for public comment.  

How to submit your comments: 

In-person 

• Tuesday, April 14, 2026 , at 6:00 p.m., at 1500 E. Main Street on the 1st floor of Main Street Station in “The Square.”
• Monday, April 27, 2026 , at 2:00 p.m., at 1500 E. Main Street on the 1st floor of Main Street Station in “The Square.”
• City Council will host a final public hearing on Monday, May 11 in City Council Chambers (900 E. Broad St., Second Floor). 

Online 

Comments may be sent directly to the City’s Senior Manager for Federal Entitlement Programs, Amanda Wrinkle at amanda.wrinkle@rva.gov  

By Mail  

City of Richmond Department of Housing and Community Development 

Attn: Amanda Wrinkle, Senior Manager for Federal Entitlement Programs 

1500 E. Main Street, Suite 300 

Richmond, VA 23219-3571  

Learn more about the Consolidated Planning process here . 

The City of Richmond marked a historic milestone today as the first water began flowing back into the west basin of the Byrd Park Reservoir—signaling the completion of a major phase in a long-term rehabilitation project.

Built between 1874 and 1876, the Byrd Park Reservoir has served Richmond residents and surrounding counties for nearly 150 years. The reservoir operates as two finished water storage tanks and plays a critical role in delivering safe, reliable drinking water across the region.

As part of the City’s capital improvement plan, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has been rehabilitating the reservoir tanks and replacing the original concrete roofs, which were added in the 1970’s and are reaching the end of their useful life. The west tank was taken out of service in August 2023 to begin construction.

City leaders and DPU staff gathered to mark the completion of the new roof on the west basin. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Operations Al Wiggins ceremonially turned a valve to begin the first flow of water into the tank.

Filling the basin is a gradual process expected to take several days, as the tank is brought up to its full capacity of 27.5 million gallons. Once filled, water samples will be collected and tested to ensure the water meets all quality standards before the basin is returned to service.

“This is certainly a historic moment for Richmond,” said Wiggins. “All capital projects are important, but for a 150-year-old facility that serves such a vital function to not only the city but the region, this project ranks among the highest—and one I’m especially proud of.”

DPU Director Scott Morris emphasized the scale and importance of the project.

“I am incredibly proud of all the people who played a role in this significant effort,” said Morris. “Planning and executing projects of this scale takes years of design and construction. We know how critical this reservoir is to the region, and this is one of many investments we will continue making to ensure a reliable and resilient water system for years to come.”

In recent years, prior to the roof replacement, DPU completed additional upgrades to improve the distribution system reliability and increase operational flexibility at facilities connected to the reservoir. The roof replacement project represents a major step forward in preserving this historic asset while modernizing its infrastructure.

Residents can follow the history and progress of the Byrd Park Reservoir rehabilitation project through ongoing project updates available on the City’s website. Photos of today's event can be found here.