Audits released this week for the cities of Austin, Texas, and Denver have stung two senior members of Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration. The Denver audit is particularly critical of work by Seedco Financial Services, which was led by Peter H. Chapman before he was hired this summer as Richmond’s deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development.

The historic theater and adjoining Taylor Mansion on North Second Street could open by April 2011 as a live-music venue and theater known as The Hipp, according to a proposal submitted to the City Council.

One of Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ top administrators is out of contention, but controversy still swirls over Richmond’s pending appointments to the GRTC Transit System board. The City Council is set to vote Monday to appoint former Chief Administrative Officer Sheila Hill-Christian, as well as current members Linda G. Broady-Meyers and James M. Johnson, to the GRTC board of directors. Chesterfield County, which jointly owns GRTC with the city, will tap the other three members.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones wants one of the city’s new administrators to help run the GRTC Transit System. But City Councilman Bruce W. Tyler is pushing back and expressing concern over a role the city could play in a sale of GRTC’s coveted headquarters property near the Fan District. Jones wants the 6.8-acre site to go to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for private development guided by the city through a review of proposals.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ plan to reorganize several city departments won’t be legally binding without approval by the City Council, City Attorney Norman B. Sales said yesterday. At the request of several council members, Sales issued an opinion on the restructuring plan announced last week by the Jones administration. He said the city charter gives Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall the power to temporarily reassign employees under his control but reserves for the council the authority to alter or reorganize city departments.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration announced yesterday its first shakeup of City Hall with a plan to create a consolidated Department of Economic and Community Development. Peter H. Chapman, who was hired this summer as deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development, will lead the new department, which will control the city’s real estate holdings and its business-development financing programs.

The building heights recommended by Richmond’s new downtown master plan aren’t the only obstacles to a proposed high-rise along the James River. Before the Echo Harbour development can be considered by the City Council, the Department of Community Development is requiring the developers to provide new and revised technical plans and studies on various aspects of the project.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced yesterday another top aide in his administration. Peter H. Chapman will become deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development effective July 13. His annual salary will be $160,000. Chapman will be positioned to play a role in such high-profile issues as the proposed Echo Harbour hotel, office and condominium development along the James River, as well as the talks aimed at bringing professional baseball back to Richmond, including a long-term plan for a stadium.