Development
Richmond’s Japanese nurseries were mostly purchased before passage of the Alien Land Law in 1913, which barred Japanese immigrants from owning property. During WWII, the Japanese families who owned the Richmond nurseries were forced from their land and moved into detention camps. Today, the vestiges of these once great enterprises are targeted for redevelopment.
Nearly a decade after the city broke ground on the Richmond Transit Village, much this development project that is key to the revitalization of downtown is still in the works.
While 132 units have been sold, unoccupied retail space has been available for months, and a $34 million garage and 99 units on the east side have yet to be constructed. For some of the residents, the village is taking shape slower than they hoped.