Imagine Richmond’s Depot District drawing residents and visitors for dinner, dancing and performances, while a few blocks south downtown, residents enjoy walking to buy groceries, coffee and more.
That’s a vision residents shared with Wayne County Land Trust staff members during a public information meeting July 30 inside First Presbyterian Church’s sanctuary. About 30 people learned about land trust plans and provided ideas about Depot District and downtown development.
“I really liked the conversation about the unique character for both the Main Street and the Depot, but how they complement and connect,” said Rebecca Gilliam, executive director of the Wayne County Foundation, which created the land trust. “I loved the idea about the entertainment hub. Those things were really exciting to hear that that’s how people are thinking.”
The land trust owns 22 properties it plans to rehabilitate into mixed-use spaces. It’s working with Revitalize Richmond consultant Downtown Strategies to target the proper mix of residential, service, retail and entertainment.
Gilliam said the buildings — and their historical uses — inform the future uses. The land trust has hired Platte Architecture & Design of Cincinnati and DELV Design of Indianapolis to restore historic exteriors while modernizing interiors.
Public suggestions included apartments larger than two bedrooms, single-family residences, a downtown grocery and parking considerations, whether attached, covered or reserved.
Tre Ronne, a Richmond High School teacher, shared several ideas. One was to ask students for their input.
“I’m grateful for the meeting,” he said. “I’m grateful for the work that the land trust is doing. I’m grateful at how detailed and organized they were, and I’m grateful that they’re inviting so much community input.”
The land trust has hired Addyson Johnson as property manager. It has rented two of four apartments in the Readmore building and will have three apartments for rent in the former Secret Ingredient building.
Nine buildings — four downtown and five in the Depot District — are scheduled for the initial renovation phase. Those receiving Revitalize Richmond funds must be finished by the end of 2028. Gilliam said the land trust hopes to dovetail its renovation work with other projects, such as AP Development’s downtown building renovations, to limit disruptions.
The renovation plans range from no residential at 821 E. Main St. because of the building’s design to nearly all residential at 14 N. 10th St. to a possible two-story townhome at 414 N. Eighth St.
Gilliam said the land trust was a natural next step after the foundation formed Forward Wayne County in 2019 to consider what was necessary to change Wayne County’s trajectory. A 2023 downtown structural feasibility study put costs on downtown revitalization, and the foundation decided it should take responsibility as a strong anchor and supporter to invest in the community.
Asked about criticisms of the land trust, Gilliam said it maintains local property ownership and advances rehabilitation. Selling to the land trust was the right fit for some property owners who can now run businesses without the burden of maintaining their buildings, some of which she called a nightmare. The land trust is using private donor dollars and pays property taxes.
A version of this article will appear in the August 5 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
