(Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the House of Delegates' version of the state budget included funding for VCU to begin planning the new school.)
Virginia Commonwealth University plans to build a new dental school on its existing health system campus, opening the long-sought-after Public Safety Building for other uses.
VCU wants to construct a dental school at 900 Turpin St., near the Larrick Student Center that overlooks Interstate 95, the university said Monday.
The move means VCU is no longer pursuing the Public Safety Building for this project. The Public Safety Building at East Clay and North Ninth streets was the site of a failed development project that VCU Health paid $73 million to exit.
People are also reading…
It’s unclear what will happen next to the downtown parcel, which is scheduled for demolition. Asked for comment, Brian McNeill, a spokesperson for VCU, did not say if the university or health system will continue pursuing the site.
VCU has the only dental school in the state. Its three buildings are along East Leigh Street, between North 11th and North 12th streets. They are more than 70 years old and do not meet patient care needs, VCU said.
Maintenance on the aging facilities will cost $75 million, the university said, and old facilities make VCU less competitive against other dental schools.
VCU produces about 100 dentists and 20 dental hygienists each year and is the state’s largest provider of dental care for patients with Medicaid.
A new building would house classrooms, patient clinics and laboratories. VCU has identified a four-acre site slightly north of the current dental school already owned by the health system.
The location houses the College of Health Professions, the student center, a parking deck and a vacant residential building called Cabaniss Hall. The city of Richmond assessed the property for $121 million.
Last year, VCU proposed building a $415 million dental school on the Public Safety Building site.
It’s also where in 2021, VCU Health planned to partner with the city of Richmond and a developer for a $316 million development that would include a 17-story office tower and other buildings. But when VCU Health realized the project was not feasible, it paid $73 million to back out, a move that has drawn criticism.
As part of its exit agreement, VCU Health is paying for demolition of the Public Safety Building, which is owned by the city. VCU Health hired local firm DPR Construction to tear it down, and the original contract required the work be done by March 26. But before demolition can begin, the building needs remediation, and the university needs a permit from the city, McNeill said.
“We are moving as quickly as possible on both fronts,” McNeill added.
It is unclear what the city will do with a vacant plot at the heart of the city. A spokesperson for Richmond did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
VCU has pursued the Public Safety Building for more than a decade, calling it a potential front door to its health system campus.
Before VCU can move forward with planning the new dental school, it needs approval from lawmakers.
In December, Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed allotting $5.2 million for VCU to begin planning the new school. Legislators in the House kept the funding in their proposal, but the Senate did not.
Lawmakers also struck the funding last year.
Richmond neighbors: Obituaries for March 4
Read through the obituaries published today in Richmond Times-Dispatch.
BAILEY, Cazell Kirkland, It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Cazell Kirkland Bailey, a loving mother and devoted wife. Caz…
BECKER, Michael Paul, Michael Paul Becker (45), a father, a son, a brother, and a friend passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Born in R…
BROOKS, Glen Keith, A memorial service for Glen Keith Brooks, who passed away in Richmond, Virginia on December 8, 2023, will be held at Saint…
BROOKS, Wilbert H. Jr., of Richmond, died February 28, 2024. Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Funeral notice later.
BROWN, Barbara Neale Reamy, 92, passed away on February 26, 2024 at home surrounded by family. She was predeceased by her parents Robert N. Re…
CALL, Bobby W., 75, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, February 28, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robbie …
CHRONISTER, Stuart E., 79, of Sandston, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife o…
CLARK, Michael Edward, born in Morgantown, West Virginia on July 31, 1952, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024 while holding the hand …
CLEM, Florence Marie, On the morning of February 26, 2024, Florence "Flo" Marie Broaddus Clem, 88, died peacefully and entered into the presen…
COLGIN, Mildred L., 94, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2024. She was born in Richmond, Va. on March 5, 1929, to James and Thama Leidy …
Andrew (Andy) Kent Crocker, 80, of Chesterfield, VA passed away on February 18, 2024, with his family by his side. He is preceded in death by …
Dunkin, Robert Fredrick (Bob), age 96, was a resident of Ashbury Ponds Senior Living Community, Ashburn, Virginia. Bob was the son of Robert F…
GREEN, Naomi Lillian, Departed this life Monday, February 26, 2024. Remains rest at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home. Funeral notice later.
HARRIS, Carolyn W., departed this life February 26, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Harris Jr.; and her brother, Henry …
HAYWOOD, Danny Gilbert, Danny Gilbert Haywood, a man of unwavering dedication to both his family and his country, passed away peacefully at hi…
HEADLEY, Dolores "Dottie" Ann, 86, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She wa…
HENRY, Susan Vaughan, died peacefully on February 23, 2024. She was born July 16, 1946, in Farmville, VA, to Anne Cocks Vaughan and Dr. Robert…
HODGE, Bettie Johnson, 90, of Deltaville, went home peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on February 24, 2024, with her family by her sid…
IVATURY, Rao, Dr. Rao R. Ivatury, a visionary yet humble and generous leader in the field of trauma surgery and critical care, passed away on …
JONES, Mildred McInnes, passed away peacefully while in hospice care at Cedarfield on February 24, 2024. She was 97 years old – the same age h…
KIDD, Carol Williams, of Glen Allen, Virginia died peacefully at home on February 28, 2024. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Junior Kid…
KING, Robert Calvert Jr., Robert C. King, Jr ("Bob") sadly passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024. He is preceded in death by his dedicate…
KRIDER, Richard (Dick), died peacefully on February 24, 2024 at Westminster Canterbury where he lived with his wife Nancy since 2017. He is su…
MARCUM, Judith Ann, Judith Ann Marcum, of Henrico, VA, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, February 17th.
MARKOGIANNAKIS, Judy Faye, 74, of Henrico, Va, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 27, 2024. She is survived by her husband, of 53 y…
MATHEWS, Richard Eric, "Rick," 63, passed away on February 20, 2024, in Powhatan, VA. Born on December 9, 1960 in Anniston, AL, Rick was known…
MORGAN, Mrs. Alicia R., Departed this life Friday, March 1, 2024. Remains rest at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home 2011 Grayland Avenue. Funera…
MOSER, Anna Jo, 85, of Mechanicsville, VA passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024. Jo is survived by her daughter, Pam Harris (Tim…
MUMMA, Morton Claire III, Colonel, USAF (Ret.) died peacefully on 22 February 2024 at his home in Chester, Virginia, with Babs, his wife of 74…
OWEN, Richard Milton Sr., 87, of Richmond, Va., went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 1, 2024. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gwe…
Nelson "Skeeter" Carter Pollard, 72, of Ponte Vedra, FL, passed away on January 19, 2024. He is survived by his daughter Lily Pollard-Rice, gr…
POWELL, Jack N. Sr., of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Saturday, February 17, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years…
POWERS, Jean Taylor, 89, of Darvills, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
RAY, Michael Alexander, After a sudden illness, surrounded by his children and sisters, Michael Alexander Ray died of natural causes in Fort L…
ROYALL, Dorothy, "Dot", age 97, passed away February 6, 2024. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-g…
SMITH GULDEN SHOOK, Judith Ann, Judith Ann Smith Gulden Shook, 78, peacefully passed away on February 11, 2024, in Richmond, VA. Born to Frank…
SMITH, JR., Waller Carter, 62, passed away suddenly at VCU Medical Center February 25th, 2024. He is survived by his sister Mary V. Smith of H…
STALEY, Peter "Pete" Henry, died suddenly Wednesday, February 21, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. A fifteen year resident of Richmond, Pete grew …
STALLINGS, Nathan, Departed this life Friday, March 1, 2024. Remains rest at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home 2011 Grayland Avenue. Funeral not…
STUART, Claudette, Stuart, Claudette Gertrude Shelton 83, of Midlothian, VA went to be with her Lord and Saviour Sunday, January 7, 2024. Reun…
STULTZ, John Shelton, 77, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Sunday, February 25, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, John…
SYKES, Charles Thomas, of Glen Allen, made his final journey home to peace and rest Thursday, February 29, 2024. He was born March 24, 1946 in…
TEEFEY, Marie Payne, 80, of Glen Allen, VA, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Parham Doctors' Hospital surrounded by family. She wa…
WHITLOW, Bettie Jane Howser, 96, of Mechanicsville, died on Friday, February 23, 2024. She was born on October 24, 1927 in Leesburg, Va. to th…
WILSON, Isaiah O., of Richmond, departed this life Thursday, February 22, 2024. He is survived by a host of loving relatives and friends.