Henrico Purchases Richmond; VCU To Form Breakaway Government

In a series of last minute maneuvers in the wake of former Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder's announcement that the City of Richmond was bankrupt, representatives from Henrico and Chesterfield counties have seized legal authority over much of the city's 63-square-mile acreage. In a related move late last night, officials from Virginia Commonwealth University announced that the university would form its own county and initiated moves to annex much of downtown Richmond, including Oregon Hill and Jackson Ward.

Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine called for calm even as workers from both counties were at work late last night surveying and marking the boundaries of their newly expanded jurisdictions.

"Residents of the former City of Richmond will have many new opportunities as residents of Henrico County, and we are excited to welcome them to their new community," said Virgil Hazelett, county manager for Henrico. Henrico essentially claimed all of Richmond's land north of the James River, as well as the Manchester district.

More details were not available at press time.