City of Richmond seeks partner to redevelop 2503 Q Street

The City of Richmond is seeking qualified development partners for the redevelopment of 2503 Q Street, located in the Church Hill North neighborhood. The site, which fronts on North 25th Street and extends through the block to North 26th Street, is the former First Precinct of Richmond Police Department, which the city occupied for nearly 40 years before relocating in April of this year.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is step one in a two-step RFQ-to-RFP (Request for Proposals) solicitation process from which the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will identify one or more development partners capable of delivering a high-quality, income-diverse residential development that is consistent with the city’s affordable housing and community development goals. Those selected development partners will be invited to participate in a follow-up RFP process.

“This site is filled with promise,” said HCD Director Merrick Malone. “It is ideally located along the 25th St. corridor; near bus lines, the East End Library, and the Market at 25th, to name a few. But it’s also an opportunity to catalyze additional development which will significantly contribute to the economic revitalization of this corridor and the broader Church Hill community.”

This RFQ is the latest in the city’s effort to transform underutilized, city-owned properties into affordable and mixed-income housing. Just last week, the city announced that it had selected a preferred development partner for the redevelopment of 212 N. 18th St. in Shockoe Bottom.

“Where we can use underperforming city-owned assets to advance the common good, especially as it relates to housing, we should,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Our team knows that combating our housing crisis takes a bias for action and knows to seize on these opportunities when they arise. I am pleased to get this RFQ out the door and am eager to see proposals which provide maximum value to the community and its residents.”

Although no site plan has been prescribed for the project, to meet affordability goals, the city is requiring that at least 20% of the housing units developed on site be affordable to households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Commercial or complementary uses may be incorporated into any proposed site plan. Additional details as well as the evaluation criteria, including firm experience and development approach, can be found in the full RFQ.

The RFQ will close on November 20, 2026.