In episode 34 of Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse, host Kalleigh Smith and Mayor Oler are joined by Dakota Collins from Earlham College’s Revitalize Richmond initiative to talk about the changes taking shape downtown and what residents can expect next.

From restoring historic buildings to creating new housing, supporting local businesses, and connecting more people to downtown, the conversation explores how Earlham College and community partners are working together to move Richmond forward. Dakota explains the initiative’s three areas of focus, build, activate, and connect, and how each contributes to a downtown where people want to live, work, learn, and spend time.

The discussion also covers connections between Earlham’s campus, downtown, the Depot District, and the Whitewater Gorge, including plans and possibilities for improved kayak access, a river walk, play areas, and new outdoor experiences. Along the way, Kalleigh, Mayor Oler, and Dakota explore housing needs, walkability, safety, and what it means for Richmond to embrace its identity as a college town.

They also address the questions and skepticism that come with major change, the challenges behind the scenes, and why the next 12 to 15 months could be an important stretch for visible progress. It’s a look at the people, partnerships, and projects helping shape Richmond’s next chapter.

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Learn more about Revitalize Richmond and follow the projects at https://earlham.edu/revitalize-richmond/.