For 35 years, Richmond hairdresser Rick Bridgforth has been quietly transforming a forgotten alley in The Fan into something remarkable. What began as a way to clean up trash and keep crime at bay grew into a lush oasis that’s alive with color, buzzing with pollinators, and offering neighbors a place to pause and breathe.
The catch is, Rick doesn’t own the land. A new owner does, and he has plans to renovate, expand, and add apartments. Legally, that’s his right. But maybe there’s room for compromise. Could the garden stay while the property is improved? Does it really have to be all or nothing?
Rick’s “not-so-secret” garden became a landmark not through design, but through love. Neighbors say it changed the feel of the block, made The Fan better, even convinced some people to buy homes nearby just to be closer to it.
A Garden at Risk
The new property owner has applied for a special use permit to renovate and add density, including a “carriage house” structure that would sit where the garden now blooms. For Rick, that means the space he’s poured time, money, and sweat into could be erased in a matter of months.
Councilmember Katherine Jordan has already voiced her support for preserving the garden. Neighbors have raised concerns about flooding, parking, and congestion from the proposed development. A petition has started to circulate. Still, the project is in early stages, and nothing has been decided.
The Clash That Doesn’t Have to Be One
Too often, development stories in Richmond are painted as zero-sum. Either the old goes, or the new wins. But what if this was different?
Instead of paving over Rick’s life’s work, what if the developer made space for it as part of the new project? Imagine walking past apartments with a garden still blooming in the alley, a living tribute to decades of care, and now a permanent amenity.
It’s not impossible. Cities everywhere are experimenting with this kind of compromise like building density while protecting the green pockets that make neighborhoods livable. In this case, it could even be a win for the developer. Who wouldn’t want to rent a place with a built-in garden story attached?
Paths Toward Compromise
- Integrate the Garden Into Design: The new buildout could treat the garden as a shared courtyard or green corridor. Keeping even a portion of the existing beds could soften the hard edges of new construction and give tenants an instant connection to place.
- Community Partnership: Rick and neighborhood volunteers could formally partner with the property owner to maintain the space, lowering costs for the developer while giving residents a sense of ownership.
- Green Marketing Advantage: Developers already sell “walkability” and “lifestyle” in their brochures. Preserving a beloved garden tells a stronger story: rent here, and you’re part of a community that values beauty and stewardship.
- City Incentives: Richmond could explore offering tax credits, expedited approvals, or stormwater fee reductions if the project incorporates and maintains green space. Developers often respond when cities make it easier to say yes.
- Hybrid Approach: If keeping the entire garden isn’t feasible, designating even a corner or section as a permanent community pocket park would honor Rick’s legacy while acknowledging the new owner’s right to build.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just about saving some flowers. It’s about whether Richmond can balance growth with the small, human-scale spaces that make it livable. Rick’s garden has been working for decades like reducing crime, boosting pollinators, and giving neighbors pride in their block. That’s not something to casually uproot.
Rick says he plans to plant 3,000 tulip bulbs this fall. It could be his last bright stand in the space. Or, if the community and developer can strike a deal, it could be the beginning of a new chapter, where growth doesn’t erase the good, but builds on it.
How You Can Help
If this story strikes a chord, here are a few simple ways to support the future of Rick’s garden:
- Sign the Petition: Neighbors have started a petition to preserve the garden as part of the redevelopment. Add your name and share it with others.
- Contact City Council: Reach out to 2nd District Councilmember Katherine Jordan or your own council rep. Let them know you value keeping community green spaces in the Fan.
- Share the Story: Post about the garden, bring friends by to see it, and keep the conversation alive. Developers notice when the public is paying attention.
- Offer Ideas: Compromise only happens when people bring solutions. Share creative approaches that could allow the garden to coexist with new housing.
Rick’s garden has thrived for 35 years because one person cared enough to tend it. Whether it lasts another 35 may depend on how many of us care enough to speak up now.
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