The city price tag

Photo by: Matheus Gonçalves

 

Richmond is the bustling heart of Virginia packed with shops, communities, and a ever changing population. I was born in Chesterfield, Virginia just 20 minutes away from the heart of the city. Growing up in the suburbs trips to Richmond were frequent and expected.

Over the years of getting to know Richmond I’ve seen it change. The issue of gentrification has popped up around numerous communities. Gentrification is the increase of property vales, which in return displaces lower-income families. For Richmond it is only in the early stages. Areas that were know to be lower income area are now being re-branded as being a “culture center”.

This can be seen in a multiple of ways. Rocketts Landing is an example of this. Taking the old cigarette factories, in the outskirts of the city around the train yard and turning it into apartments and restaurants. This is good for the area, as buildings are being re-purposed for other means, but this is bad for the communities around it. Gentrification seems like a good thing at first glance. Refurbish the old place and create new areas for cultures and arts. Whats not taken into account is the price tag added along, and the communities that are pushed out.

Richmond is a melting pot of communities put together. Over the years however people have been seeing some being pushed away. Matthew Tatem a longtime friend and resident of Richmond, Virginia has this to say

“An area that would normally be filled with people are now filled with for sale signs. Rent in my area has been steadily increasing, and much like the neighborhood next to me it is hard to keep up with changing tides.”

Tatem, Matthew. personal interview. 10 April, 2016

Tatem shares the same view with anyone living in the city. The fear of increasing rent values are dragging people away from a city with diverse communities. Richmond is made of these diverse communities and with African American populations falling. It is important to keep our city alive and diverse. Reach out the city, and be involved with promoting city policies to lower housing rates and support a better fairer city. Richmond should be a home to all, not just those that can afford it.