There needs to be an update to the graphic showing "museum grounds" to specify differences in property ownership between Commonwealth of Virginia and the private non-stock corporation (VMFA Foundation).

Museum Grounds via Commonwealth Lease are 2915 Grove Avenue and 201 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard.  It is unclear if the parking at 207 & 211 REAR N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard and 202 REAR N. Mulberry Street are included with this lease.

There are some properties identified as "museum grounds" that do not have active lease agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia such as 107 N. Colonial Avenue Parking Lot.

There are also properties adjacent that are now owned by the VMFA Foundation such as 2811 Grove Ave (Museum District Bed and Breakfast), 2815 Grove Ave (Single Family) 2823 Grove Avenue (4-5 Unit Multi-Family), and 2905 Grove Ave (Single Family). 

It is unclear if these should be included in museum grounds definition, graphic, and their educational purpose serving the Commonwealth of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

The construction of a warehouse by a private entity on "museum grounds" leased to the Department of General Services is an unresolved matter - as the construction did not receive a Special Use Permit (local approval), Art and Architecture Review Board review (state approval), and no state agency is acknowledging a planned usage of this facility.

I'm a resident of the Museum District & have seen many changes since moving here from the Fan District in 1992. Some positive & a lot, not so positive, as it takes away from the unique & distinctive charm here. The primary concern is the warehouse that the VMFA intends to build right in the middle of a historical, residential community. I would think that architectural review & residential zoning laws would unanimously reject this poor decision, as this will negatively affect the Museum Districts appeal. 

The VMFA constructing a warehouse in a designated historic neighborhood is just wrong. I would think the museum would care about working with its neighbors to ensure the uniqueness of this beautiful area is preserved. 
If the museum needs a warehouse, I’m sure there are many off site locations and maybe the possibility of repurposing an existing warehouse to ensure Richmond maintains its commitment to its residents and the earth.  

Seems very odd that a private VMFA Foundation, via its loose association with the state of Virginia, has seemingly free rein to expand wherever it wants within the Museum District - all without a publicly communicated master plan (which should have been revealed in a timely fashion BEFORE construction of the warehouse began) and without earnestly seeking input from the people who live in the area.

That most of us in the district feel we've been kept in the dark about the VMFA's future plans gives the impression that the VMFA foundation couldn't care less about how we, as its close neighbors, feel about what may very well have a significant impact on us and our neighborhood. Because without better communication, who knows what the impact will be?!?

The VMFA foundation needs to wake up and look beyond its narrow focus as just a steward to the museum and consider the wider impression it's making on its neighbors through its actions and seeming unwillingness to be more forthcoming.

Otherwise, it risks losing the goodwill of the surrounding community - no small thing for an organization that is ultimately dependent on this goodwill to grow and fulfill its mission.  

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

I object to the fast track rule making process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

 I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds. 

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds. As a resident of the museum district, I feel I should have a chance to voice my strong opposition to this process.

 I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds. William Mccormack 

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

As a resident of the Museum District, I strongly object against any fast-track ruling process whose objective could be to go around and not take into account public opinion on the matter. It is unseemly for an Art Museum to do whatever it wants and to position itself above the law by not communicating in a timely manner and discussing its plans publicly. 

A warehouse is just what it is called - "a warehouse" and its place is not within a residential area. The VMFA Foundation and the Commonwealth of Virginia need to consider the negative impression they create by its unwillingness to hear the voice of the community.

I voice my strong opposition to this fast track rule making process.

I strongly oppose the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held to to discuss the museums public grounds.

It’s outrageous that this fast track process has been used to cram a 30’ tall warehouse in the middle of a residential neighborhood WITH NO PUBLIC COMMENT  OPPORTUNITY.  The construction should immediately be halted until all procedures that others have to follow are properly completed. This is corruption at its finest for the VMFA and the city for allowing this. 

The overreach, the blatant lies and the abuse of VMFA  for the construction of their mega industrial warehouse in the middle of our neighborhood doesn't need any more "Carte Blanche" IT NEEDS REGULATION, OVERSIGHT, PUBLIC IMPUT!!!!! As I am writing this, they are cutting down even more trees to make way for incredibly tall poles because, although the warehouse power lines will be buried, the rest of the neighbors will not, and they are in the way of their 32" monstrosity!!! This is a mon-made disaster, slowly being watched by a government that does NOTHING. You have to ask yourself if this is a blatant case of  corruption or plain ineptitude. After all, they have 7 million dollars for a project that in no way could cost that much. 

It is unbelievable that they have gotten this far already with the city and the state looking the other way. Having VMFA in in our neighborhood is a nightmare. They are the bullies of the neighborhood and someone should have the courage to stop them and scale back this giant warehouse 

If there are existing warehouses to let, please take one and don't build in The Museum District.

I am opposed to this idea. 

The VMFA Foundation has acquired by purchase 2823 Grove Ave and is occupying such space for commercial purposes (construction offices) without having obtained any zoning changes or certificate of zoning compliance or certificate of occupancy.

The construction offices seems to serve the VMFA Warehouse Construction and may eventually be used for VMFA Expansion purposes.

This land-use change is illegal and unacceptable.  RVA311 complaint of Zoning, Building Occupancy or Use (Illegal Business in Residence) request (Request ID: PDR000024216).

Virginia Department of General Services has advised as of 6/10/2025:

"Please note that the campus site plan shows buildings on parcels not currently under the control and possession of VMFA." and previously denied any plans for the Commonwealth of Virginia to make use of a storage facility.  The Attorney General Office and VMFA FOIA requests also result in the same confirmation - no plans for the commonwealth to make use of a storage facility.

I object to the fast track rulemaking process and a public forum should be held regarding updates to museum grounds.

I object to the fast track process and there needs to be updates to the museum grounds map to reflect actual usage of the grounds.

The registered contact has been unresponsive to inquiries related to museum grounds definitions and there needs to be opportunity for clarification on the current and future use of grounds with the expansion plan.

The below is a pasted FOIA response from the Virginia Department of General Services indicating that the diagram showing "museum grounds" which is contained (and unchanged) within the administrative update contains features which likely need revision during the NOIRA.

--------------------------------------------------

I am responding to your requests for information received by the Department of General
Services (DGS) on June 4, 2025.

(Detail Omitted)

However, although not responsive to your requests, DGS is producing the latest campus
site plan for VMFA in an exercise of good faith and transparency. Please note that the campus
site plan shows buildings on parcels not currently under the control and possession of VMFA.

Sincerely,

C. Q.

Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs