Museum District – Neighbors Oppose VMFA Plans

Hello FABA Members,

Floyd Grove Sheppard LLC was formed recently as a small neighborhood association to oppose the construction of a warehouse on residential land in the Museum District. This warehouse is proposed and planned by the non-profit foundation serving the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Our main frustration with this plan is that it originated in 2022 behind-the-scenes without involving the neighbors – we only learned of it when construction started WITHOUT approved permits in November 2024.  

There were intentional strategies to avoid public notice and make use of Special Use Permits which should have been required. Extensive background discussions occurred with the city before permit applications were filed.

Our discussions with the VMFA Foundation / LLC quickly deteriorated after it was clear that they had no interest in our feedback and the project will continue uninterrupted – without modifications.  We had to pursue legal actions with the assistance of Sands Anderson PC – we are up against the wealth and legal power behind The VMFA Foundation, Country Club of VA, and Williams Mullen.

While we are pursuing a Board of Zoning Appeal – we do not anticipate a favorable outcome because we have already identified conflicts of interest with members on that board.  However, we still have active legal cases pending. We are seeking your public support – and financial assistance if interested in increasing awareness of the background politics within our citizen-facing processes and ordinances.

Additional information about this topic can be found at our website here.  

Thank you for your interest in our cause.