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A Vision for Hilltop

Hilltop’s Future

Jamin Pursell’s vision for Hilltop: mixed-use development with grocery stores, walkable streets, community services, and jobs for Richmond families. Real plans, not promises.

I support increasing visible patrols for public safety, but staffing and deployment are the real issues. Richmond cannot improve patrol coverage if officer vacancies remain high and existing officers stretch too thin. I will focus on recruitment, retention, and smarter deployment using call data. We need to place patrols where residents actually need them most. I also support stronger coordination between police, code enforcement, and neighborhood problem-solving. Residents deserve to see real results.

Public Safety on Hillview Drive and Hilltop Drive

We must treat lighting on Hillview Drive and Hilltop Drive as a basic public safety issue. We cannot wait for complaints to act. I will push for a full corridor lighting assessment. We need to replace broken fixtures and improve dark intersections. We must coordinate lighting upgrades with safer crosswalks and sidewalks. Better lighting improves safety for drivers, pedestrians, and residents.

Realistic Mixed-Use Development at Hilltop

I want to see a realistic mixed-use district at Hilltop. This vision must work with Prologis ownership and market realities while delivering what residents need. Hilltop cannot simply become the old enclosed mall model. It also cannot become the place where Richmond pushes all its housing burden. We need a balanced approach with neighborhood-serving retail. A full-service grocery store tops that list. District 4 needs reliable access to groceries and daily services, not just more small retail pads. I also want restaurants, cafes, and opportunities for local small businesses. We need housing, open space, and job-generating uses.

Jamin Pursell’s vision for Hilltop: mixed-use development with grocery stores, walkable streets, community services, and jobs for Richmond families. Real plans, not promises.

Community Services for Hilltop Residents 

I also want to see community-serving uses built into the area. We should consider a police substation to improve response times and visibility. A library branch would better serve families and students. A senior center would give older residents services and gathering space closer to home. Hilltop should function as a true community hub, not just a shopping center.

Making Hilltop Walkable, Transit-Friendly, and Green

I will advocate for public green space, walking trails, and stronger pedestrian connections. These must link housing, transit, and Hilltop together. Housing should include a mix of townhomes, condos, apartments, and family housing. We need both rental and ownership opportunities so families can build equity. Young people should be able to stay in Richmond. I also support stronger transit connections with better bus access. We need safer pedestrian movement and stronger links to BART and regional transit.

Working With Community Partners on Hilltop Development

This year, things are a bit different for Richmond voters. A primary municipal election will be held on June 2, 2026, to determine the next city councilmember for District 4. If a candidate secures a majority, 50% or more, of the total votes cast, they win the race. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held.

Prologis is fundamentally a logistics and industrial developer. We need to be realistic about the kinds of employment uses they may pursue. I do not support heavy industrial uses that would create major traffic, air quality, or quality-of-life impacts for nearby neighborhoods. If employment uses go beyond retail, they should be clean and low-impact. Research and development, medical, professional, flex-commercial space, or light industrial uses can create jobs without creating new environmental burdens.

Most importantly, any redevelopment should include strong local hire expectations and apprenticeship pathways. We need infrastructure improvements so Hilltop becomes a true economic engine for Richmond, not just another isolated project.