Richmond mayor consolidates economic, community development departments

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration announced today a consolidation of the city’s departments of economic development and community development.

The new department of economic and community development will be led by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Peter H. Chapman and include the office of real estate services and a unit from community development that oversees federal grants.

The department of community development is being renamed the department of planning and restructured to focus on issues of planning, zoning, inspections and design. The department of planning will be led by Rachel Flynn, who has served as director of community development.

“This restructuring will create a more robust and interdisciplinary agency that is fully equipped to undertake a more aggressive redevelopment agenda for Richmond,“ Jones said in a statement.

Officials also announced that Jane Ferrara, who has served as director of real estate services, would be the deputy director and chief operating officer of the new department. Carthan Currin, who has been director of economic development, and his deputy director, Dara Glass, are no longer working for the city.
Currin will be joining a local law firm, officials said.

“Now that we’ve had some time to evaluate the revitalization opportunities and challenges confronting Richmond, and best practices for addressing complex urban development needs, it’s clear that these organizational changes make sense,“ Chapman said in a statement. “Among other benefits, this consolidation moves us away from the fragmented management of our reinvestment programs, and positions us to establish real momentum as we try to stimulate the type of growth and development that the Mayor, City Council and citizens expect.“