March 31 Newsletter: An end for an infamous building?

Weather: Thunderstorms will bring cooler weather, but won't arrive until tonight.

On this date in 1947, former Virginia Governor C.W. Darden Jr. is named president of the University of Virginia. He's the third person to take the office.

Dilapidated downtown parking garage will be demolished soon to make way for future development

One of Richmond’s most infamous buildings may finally be nearing its end.

The parking garage at 509 E. Franklin St. has been slowly falling apart for years, causing the closure of a nearby sidewalk and parking lane. Permits have now been issued for demolition, potentially as soon as April.

Read about the pressure applied by the city to make it happen here.

Voting opens Tuesday for People’s Budget projects

For the first time, Richmonders will vote on how to spend the city's money. A group of delegates has chosen 10-15 projects in each district for residents to vote on, starting tomorrow.

But Mayor Danny Avula did not include ongoing funding for the project in his budget for the upcoming year, potentially putting its future in jeopardy.

Learn about the proposals, and how to vote, here.

A new courthouse is needed, but funding and details remain in dispute

Richmond officials and members of City Council are acknowledging the city needs to address its aging John Marshall courthouse, but tight funding may mean a wholesale replacement isn’t in the cards at this time.

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One estimate is that a new building would cost the city $350 million.

Read about the issues with the courthouse, and a potential debate over where a new one would be located.

VCU welcomes new basketball coach with a promise to spend $4-5 million on players this year

That's not a typo. VCU's athletic director said the school will spend $4-5 million on its men's basketball team in the upcoming season.

While introducing new coach Phil Martelli Jr., school President Michael Rao said new rules allowing direct payments to athletes are an opportunity to lift VCU's profile even higher.

"When there are transitions and changes, and there always will be, we really see them as opportunities to lift our organization to new heights," Rao said.