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FAQs

How would the Greek Festival be impacted by the proposed development?

  • The current makeup of this neighborhood is single-family homes and large churches. This has provided the space and community support necessary for an event of this size. A high-density mixed-use condo and townhouse development immediately next door would limit this cultural festival’s ability to prepare and serve food and significantly impact accessibility to the festival. Simply put, this proposed development would put an end to the Greek Festival that Richmond has come to know and love.

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Why is the Greek Festival worth saving?

  • The cultural festival will be celebrating its 48th anniversary this year and has become a Richmond institution. The thousands of attendees who attend the cultural festival each year validate the accolades that the festival has won, including being named “Best Food Event” by Style Weekly and “Best non-musical festival event in the city” by Richmond Magazine.

  • The church has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits from the festival proceeds.

  • Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral has a growing congregation (600+) and is the sole Greek Orthodox place of worship in the Richmond area. The church has used the festival to introduce thousands of visitors to Greek culture and heritage each year. 

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Can the festival move to another location?

  • No. The cathedral is an integral part of the festival. Each year we host an indoor marketplace and offer tours of the church, allowing us to introduce Richmond to our cultural and spiritual home. In addition to teaching visitors about our heritage, the church has large commercial kitchens which are necessary to prepare the amount of food sold each day. The physical building is such a part of this event that we would not hold the festival as a solely outdoor event.

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What exactly is the developer proposing? 

  • If approved, 72 units and commercial space would be built on the footprint of the Seventh Street Christian Church, significantly increasing the number of residents and cars packed into the neighborhood. 

    • 24 of these units would be three-story townhomes. These structures would tower over the single-family homes in the neighborhood. 

    • 48 of these units would be condos, which could be rented as apartments if they don’t sell quickly. 

    • The builder is also proposing converting the church’s sanctuary into commercial space.

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Why are so many people in the neighborhood opposed to this? 

  • Richmond already struggles with urban flight to the surrounding counties. Packing dense condos and commercial space that will tower above long-established residential neighborhoods drives young families and long-time residents away. 

  • Residents, including young children, frequently walk and bike through the neighborhood because it has been established as a single-family residential area for decades. The proposed development would bring an influx of traffic to small side streets, making it less safe for pedestrians. 

  • Parking is already difficult in the neighborhood, and this development would bring in hundreds of more vehicle trips per day. 

  • The proposed development only has one point of entry and exit, which would encourage residents to use the church parking lot as a point of entry to the alley off Malvern instead of driving around the block. 

  • These changes would entirely disrupt the character of this established family neighborhood. Dense housing and retail fits in far better in Manchester, Scott’s Addition or many other areas of the city that are already zoned for this type of development. 

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What will happen if the development is approved?

  • The Greek Festival that has thrived in Richmond for 47 years would not continue if this complex is built. The neighborhood’s character would also be fundamentally changed, with an influx of parking and safety concerns. 

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Are developers trying to fundamentally transform this single-family-home neighborhood? 

  • Yes. In January, City Council will consider an additional special use permit for dense townhomes next door to a historic home from the 1700s around the corner from the cathedral. The Planning Commission already gave this project approval, despite widespread community opposition.  Your support is needed so we can protect our neighborhood. 

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Why aren’t they building enough parking to accommodate the new development? 

  • The proposed development at Seventh Street Christian Church currently plans to have approximately 86 parking spaces, but Richmond no longer requires builders to include off-street parking. Any new resident who doesn’t have off-street parking would be parking their car in the residential neighborhood, along with any visitors to the proposed commercial retail space. Street parking is already limited for those who currently live in the neighborhood, and this project will only make finding a spot harder. 

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Who will decide if the developer can build the project?

  • The Richmond Planning Commission will review the developer’s request for a special use permit and make a non-binding recommendation to Richmond City Council. This hearing has not yet been scheduled, but it is expected for early 2026. 

  • City Council will be the ultimate decider on the special use permit. This meeting will take place after the Planning Commission has issued its recommendation. 

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How can I show my support for Save the Greek Festival?

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Who has offered to buy the church?

  • Macfarlane Partners has the property under contract.

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Is the sale final?

  • No. The sale is likely contingent on receiving the special use permit. 

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