Bobb Group returns to Petersburg, this time as an adviser on city-owned real estate
PETERSBURG – The Robert Bobb Group is coming back to Petersburg but not for the same reason it did seven years ago.
Instead of coming to run the city, this time the group will advise Petersburg on whether to keep or sell buildings it owns.
Following a closed session Tuesday night, City Council approved a contract with RBG for what it called “economic development” purposes. City spokesperson Joanne Williams clarified in an email that the group will pore over Petersburg’s real-estate portfolio to “identify city-owned properties for redevelopment, monetization [or] disposition.”
Williams said the group will also identify properties "to support economic development initiatives."
Few details were readily available about the nature of what RBG will be asked to do, including how much the group will be paid or when it will start work. The vote council took after the closed session was to authorize City Manager March Altman to sign the contract on Petersburg’s behalf.
Based in Washington, D.C., RBG is a national consulting firm that works with the public sector to improve certain governmental functions. It is run by former Richmond City Manager Robert Bobb.
The last time RBG was in Petersburg was 2016. The city was on the verge of financial ruin, and RBG was contracted to come in and take the reins at City Hall. At the time, the city was facing an $18.8 million deficit and was having trouble meeting its payroll and other fiscal obligations.
For 10 months, from November 2016 to September 2017, the group assumed all responsibility for city administration and began instilling operation standards for Petersburg to take control of once the group’s work was done.
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Bobb Group back in Petersburg after seven years
