RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Following months of debate , officials with Virginia Union University (VUU) said Thursday night that they will be moving forward with plans to partially demolish the old Richmond Community Hospital — but not without facing community backlash.
In a community meeting held on Thursday, Aug. 8, leadership with the university said this historic hospital will have a portion of it demolished while other parts are upgraded to bring it up to code.
VUU said that, once the project is completed, it will be using the space for workforce housing.
FROM FEBRUARY: Future of historic hospital in Richmond’s Northside in jeopardy
The old Richmond Community Hospital is the first Black-owned hospital in the city of Richmond . It’s located in Richmond’s Northside and it just celebrated its 90th anniversary in June.
VUU’s plans for the building have been the subject of debate for months since concerns about the hospital potentially being demolished spread in February . In March, VUU issued a statement saying it would “include the best and brightest minds to determine the building’s best use.”