Tom Butt

Architect, Recovered Politician, Historic Preservationist and Author

This web page started as a political campaign resource in the early 1990s. After 28 years on the Richmond City Council and eight years as elected mayor, I termed out in 2023, having served longer continuously than anyone in Richmond history. I have now reverted full-time to the architectural profession.

I started the blog TOM BUTT E-FORUM in 2000 to fill in the gaps and misinformation from traditional journalism. Although I have transitioned away from the predominantly community and political content , I have continued the E-FORUM, and the Archives are probably the best resource available for Richmond political history 2000 – 2023.

Latest E-FORUM Articles

Richmond CA Planning Manager Thinks He is in Richmond VA

To show you how out of touch Richmond’s highest-ranking planner, Avery Stark, is, he doesn’t even know where he works. The signature for his emails uses the seal of Richmond, Virginia. Sincerely, Avery Stark Planning Manager City of Richmond 450 Civic...

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Campus Bay Legal Challenge Denied by Appellate Court

    While I was still mayor, the City Council approved a major development project known as Campus Bay, a 89.6-acre property planned for up to 2.1 million square feet of R&D/Business/Service, up to 320,000 square feet of retail use, up to 2,530...

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