PHOTO COURTESY RICHMOND REDEVELOPMENT & HOUSING AUTHORITY (RRHA)
South side Richmond neighborhood undergoes more than a decade worth of change
By Erika Wells
Blackwell, a historic city south of downtown Richmond known for its strong sense of community, is barely recognizable after experiencing a makeover.
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) and the City of Richmond received a HOPE VI grant in the amount of $26.9 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to modernize the urban area.
Blackwell, once part of the former city of Manchester, was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Richmond. The area was plagued with crimes such as drug trafficking, gang violence and illegal gun trade.