The Henrico County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 28. Highlights are summarized below. Agendas and archived video of meetings are available at henrico.gov/supervisors/video-of-meetings/.
Honoring the life, public service of James M. “Jim” Holland
Vice Chair Roscoe D. Cooper III noted the passing of James M. “Jim” Holland, who had served on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors since 2008. Mr. Holland, who was 73, died Oct. 14 after battling cancer. He was serving his fifth term as supervisor for the Dale District.
Cooper and Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson were among a group of officials from Henrico who attended a celebration of life service for Mr. Holland on Oct. 25.
“It was a wonderful celebration of life for a gentleman that lived a well life,” said Cooper, of the Fairfield District. “Our prayers and condolences are with his family and throughout Chesterfield and our colleagues, as well.”
Recognizing nonprofit partners in Affordable Housing Trust Fund
County Manager John A. Vithoulkas recognized Executive Director Jovan Burton and Special Projects Director Shelby Carney, of the nonprofit Partnership for Housing Affordability, for their efforts to help establish and implement Henrico’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The program, launched in fiscal year 2024-25, was recently recognized by the Urban Institute and has awarded $10.7 million to support the development of 136 affordable homes across the county.
“They bring a commitment to collaboration, equity [and] integrity to the work that they do with our county and with other communities they work with throughout the Richmond region,” Vithoulkas said of Burton and Carney.
He added that it’s appropriate for the county to thank them publicly, as it often recognizes employees, and noted that each has been recognized by community organizations – Burton by ChamberRVA and Carney by the Virginia Housing Alliance.
“The reality is, while you’re not employees, you’re both now part of the Henrico family,” he said.
Roslyn Hills Park poised for expansion
The board approved a resolution to clear the way for 6 acres to be preserved and added to Roslyn Hills Park. The county is partnering with the nonprofit Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) to purchase eight parcels adjacent to the neighborhood park, which is located at 195 Roslyn Hills Drive in the Tuckahoe District.
The county will provide an $850,000 grant to CRLC to cover the acquisition and additional grants up to $25,000 to cover related expenses. CRLC will then donate the property to Henrico, and the county will convey a conservation easement to CRLC, designating the property for the preservation of open space land.
Henrico and CRLC previously partnered to preserve land that otherwise seemed destined for development. In 2018, with support from Henrico and other partners, CRLC acquired 871 acres of historic Malvern Hill Farm in Varina. Of the total, 428 acres have been transferred to Henrico for a future public park. Other portions of the farm are going to partners such as the James River Association and the National Park Service.
Public safety communications system contract amendment
The board approved a $2 million amendment to the county’s contract with Altairis Technology Partners, LLC. The company is providing consulting services for a new, regionally interconnected public safety communications system. The system, being developed by Motorola Solutions, Inc., is targeted for implementation in May 2028. With the amendment, Altairis’ contract will total $5.6 million.
Private medical transport services
The board approved a resolution authorizing Healthcare, LLC to provide medical transport services in Henrico. The company’s services are unrelated to those provided by the Division of Fire and volunteer Fire and EMS organizations. In general, these companies provide nonemergency transportation services – for example, delivering a patient from a nursing home to a doctor’s appointment or after their discharge from a hospital.
Animal Shelter renovations to begin in December
The board approved a $2.3 million contract for renovations to the Animal Shelter, at 10421 Woodman Road. The contract with David A. Nice Builders, Inc. will provide interior improvements, new mechanical equipment, replacement dog kennels and a surgical suite addition. The project is expected to begin in December and be completed late next summer. For more information on the Animal Shelter and pets available for adoption, visit henrico.gov/police/animal-protection-unit/.
Public hearing on establishment of animal cruelty registry
The board initiated its process to consider establishing a local animal cruelty registry. A public hearing for the proposed ordinance will be advertised for Dec. 2. A state law that took effect in July 2024 allows localities to create a registry that includes the names and relevant information of people convicted of certain felony offenses of animal cruelty.
Contract awarded for Magellan Parkway over I-95
The board authorized approval of a $16.9 million contract to Curtis Contracting, Inc. for the construction of Magellan Parkway over Interstate 95. The project will connect Englewood Farms Drive with Scott Road and is supported with funding from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. The project will consist of a four-lane road with curb and gutter and a raised median. It also will include a shared-use path on its south side and a sidewalk along its north side. Construction is expected to begin in December and be completed in November 2027.
Magellan’s bridge will replace the Scott Road bridge, which was demolished after being struck multiple times by trucks passing underneath it. The new bridge will rise much higher over the interstate, Public Works Director Terrell Hughes said.
Engineering for Henrico’s longest section of Fall Line Trail
The board approved a contract amendment to cover engineering services for the Fall Line Trail’s Longdale phase. The amendment establishes a $3.1 million fixed contract with Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP. The Longdale section is under design and will consist of a 12-foot-wide asphalt multiuse trail that will extend 3.2 miles from Parham Road and Cleveland Street to the new Woodman Road extension. It’s the longest section of the trail being developed in Henrico and is supported with funding from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. Construction is expected to start in 2026 with completion expected in 2028. A portion of the trail extending north from Woodman through Hanover County to the town of Ashland opened in September.
The board’s next regular meeting will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12. The meeting is pushed back a day due to the Veterans Day holiday Tuesday, Nov. 11.
