A Foiled Merger

Karl Rove’s statement that Richmond is a small city stirred a lot of comment. It’s hard to imagine, but about 50 years ago it was suggested that Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond should become one big city. Today it might sound like a far-fetched idea, but back then serious consideration was given to combining all three, the object being to provide greater efficiency and avoid duplication of government services.
A Chicago consulting firm, Public Administration Services, was contacted by the Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission to represent the three entities and investigate the possibilities.

The consultants recommended a merger of Henrico and Richmond, because of similar population density. Chesterfield, because it was basically rural in nature, should not be considered, the firm said.

After the survey, civic leaders decided the merger was worth exploring. The Regional Planning Commission began to study the possible effects of such a move.
After more than 100 meetings, a plan was presented, with the consolidation to take place January 1, 1963. The new city would be called Richmond. It was proposed that five boroughs be created: Brookland, Fairfield, Tuckahoe, Varina and Richmond. The Henrico Board of Supervisors had agreed to explore the plan if a satisfactory one could be created “for consolidation of the County of Henrico and the City of Richmond into a city of the first class under terms which are in the best interest of each.”

City Council was less than enthusiastic about the idea, preferring annexation, but agreed the voters should have a chance to express their opinion. So it was arranged for a referendum in both localities to be held December 12, 1961. If the voters accepted the idea, then the General Assembly would have to give the final approval. Richmond and Henrico representatives agreed to go along with the will of the voters.

The referendum had to be approved by both Richmond and Henrico. Richmonders voted 15,051 for and 6,700 against. Although Henrico voters in the Tuckahoe and Brookland districts endorsed the idea, there was strong dissent in Varina and Fairfield. The final tally of the Henrico votes was 8,862 for and 13,657 against, defeating the referendum.

At that time the merger would have made Richmond the fifth largest city in the nation and 36th in population.

Would it have worked out? We’ll never know. But at the time, everybody had their chance to express their opinions by their votes. So we may be a small city according to Mr. Rove, but it’s the size local voters approved.

Ray Schreiner is a volunteer at the Valentine Richmond History Center and the Virginia Historical Society, and is an avid reader of old newspapers.

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