Remembering our history.

special use permits.

The city is an organism, breathing life, growing, evolving. Cities in our country have boomed from the humblest beginnings of Main Street into manufacturing centers, retail hot spots and high-rise lofts. During this process of evolution however, there is much of the old that is cast aside, such as industrial buildings and assembly-line factories; even monstrous brick schools that have been deserted for new ones in the suburbs.  These structures are often left to harbor ivy and blight, although many of them are historically significant and architecturally sound. As a part of our city's heritage, they should be preserved.

In Richmond, one way to preserve these structures is through our city's Special Use Permit, which, if approved, enables the use of a building for a purpose different than its normal zoning. Applying for a Special Use Permit is an extensive process taking 4-6 months. It involves coordinating and consulting city officials, neighborhood landowners, and others in the community. An example of a situation that would benefit from a Special Use Permit would be a warehouse, which is currently zoned industrial, but is no longer able to serve its original purpose. Through the city's process, this building could be converted into a mixed-use space, providing apartments and retail spaces to the neighboring community.

An area of particular interest to French Consulting Company is Scott's Addition, which in 2005 was established as a historic district by the Department of the Interior National Park Service. Bordered by Broad Street and Boulevard, this area is near the popular Museum and the Fan Districts. A majority of the buildings in the Scott's Addition Historic District are on the National Register of Historic Places, although many have abandoned their original use and been left unoccupied. Through the Special Use Permit process, it is possible for these buildings to be converted into live-work spaces that will burgeon the community, such as cafes and shops, lofts and condos, rather than sit vacant and hollow.

For more information regarding Richmond's Special Use Permit process, please e-mail our in-house consultant, Seth McMillan at smcmillan@frenchcc.com.