~The plan will be available for public review and comment through December 5 ~

RICHMOND, VA – The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility (OETM), a division within the Department of Public Works, concludes a nearly two-year planning process addressing transportation needs in Richmond with the release of the Richmond Connects Draft Action and Strategic Plan. The plan includes feedback from over 20,000 Richmonders with diverse backgrounds via online surveys, telephone town halls, and targeted in-person outreach.  This plan works to close barriers and gaps in accessibility and toward an equitable transportation network where all residents can thrive. Participants identified and defined transportation needs and provided potential projects and programs to resolve identified issues.

The draft plan for review includes:

• A Priority Action Plan with items for transportation investments in the next 0 -10 year(s). The Action Plan contains both hard infrastructure projects and programmatic recommendations. The infrastructure projects consist of 3 categories:
  
  • Public priority projects – the projects ranked the highest by the public and communities of concern moved directly into the action plan, regardless of cost, “readiness” or difficulty;
  • Existing projects – projects already on the books that address equity-based needs and are partially or fully funded;
  • Shorter Term Projects – projects that are generally supported by the public and communities of concern that were determined to be the most feasible or have a higher degree of ‘readiness’
• A Strategic Plan with full documentation of the planning process
  
  • A list of all equity-centered projects and programs considered for the action plan, from which future action plans can be drawn

Community input is needed to move the project forward. The draft plan will be available for review and comments through December 5 at www.rvaconnects.com. Comments can be submitted directly onto the online document. The next step includes adopting the priority projects and amending the Master Plan to include Richmond Connects as an addition to the chapter on future connections.

For assistance with alternative means to review the plan or to make comments, please email OETM staff at connects@rva.gov. Comments can also be mailed to OETM at 1500 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing connects@rva.gov.

For more information on the OETM Division, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/transit-equity or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter (X) @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

“Today, we celebrate the progress we’ve made as a city and look forward to building a more equitable, inclusive, and welcoming Richmond.” – Mayor Levar Stoney

Richmond, VA – Today, the Human Rights Campaign announced that the City of Richmond received a perfect score of 100 for the fourth year in a row on the annual 2023 Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI examines “how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there.”

The release of 2023 data marks the twelfth annual edition of the MEI with over 500 cities receiving a rating. The MEI looks at five categories to rate a city: non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.

The MEI acknowledges Richmond’s commitment to protect, uplift, and support the LGBTQ+ community, specifically looking at Richmond’s efforts of:

• Instituting LGBTQ+ inclusive non-discrimination laws in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other sectors;
• Creating safe and inclusive workplace conditions, which include transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits; and
• Creating LGBTQ+ liaisons in the city’s executive office and in the city’s police force.

“This recognition is a testament to our city’s commitment to making Richmond a welcoming and inclusive place for ALL Richmonders, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status,” said Mayor Levar Stoney.  “The city will continue to work hard to uplift, support, and protect all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we celebrate the progress we’ve made as a city and look forward to building a more equitable, inclusive, and welcoming Richmond.”

For more information review Richmond’s MEI scorecard here.

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Richmond, VA – NewDEAL, a national network of pro-growth progressive state and local elected officials, announced that Mayor Levar Stoney’s Pathways Program won the NewDEAL National Idea Challenge under the “Creating Economic Opportunities and Lowering Costs for Families” category. The competition had over 80 entries across the country and was judged by nationally-recognized policy experts on the best proposal that would improve American’s well-being and overall quality of life.

Earlier this year, Mayor Levar Stoney launched the Pathways Program with an initial $1.7 million investment and a partnership with Great Aspirations Scholarship Program (GRASP). The Program provides eligible high school students in Richmond Public Schools with a traditional scholarship, a monthly cash allowance, mentorship, and additional supports so that more graduates have the opportunity to achieve postsecondary success—whether that translates to career-specific or skilled-trades credentials or credits to be transferred to a four-year college.

“I am honored to receive this recognition for our work to provide a pathway to success for Richmond students,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “Education is the great equalizer, and my administration has prioritized providing an abundance of opportunities for ALL Richmond families and children–no matter their zip code or socioeconomic status. The Richmond Pathways program will help us eliminate barriers to college and help our kids make their dreams a reality.” 

“I am blown away by this year’s competition entries, and especially these winners,” said Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of NewDEAL. “The winning ideas, together, highlight a foundational principle of NewDEAL Leaders: fighting every day for policies that help Americans to thrive no matter where they come from or what ZIP code they live in. All the ideas submitted show leaders working relentlessly to improve the life of every American. At a time when there is much focus on problems and division in our politics, NewDEALers like Secretary Toulouse Oliver, Representatives Bynum and Olaleye, and Mayor Stoney fill me with hope and optimism as they work to deliver positive results for their constituents.”

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Media Contacts:  

• Petula Burks
• 804-646-6311 or 804-389-7157

Or

• James Mercante
• 804-646-5024 or 804-363-9107        

RICHMOND, Va. –   The Richmond Police Department (RPD) in conjunction with the City’s Vision Zero Task Force, under the umbrella of the Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW), and with the support of the Safe and Healthy Streets Commission, the Richmond City Council, and Mayor Levar M. Stoney, will be deploying four safety cameras on a pilot basis within the following school zones:

• Site A: Linwood Holton Elementary School
  
  • Safety Camera A1: Northbound Hermitage Road
  • Safety Camera A2: Westbound Laburnum Avenue
• Site B: Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts
  
  • Safety Camera B1: Eastbound Semmes Avenue
  • Safety Camera B2: Westbound Semmes Avenue

The Vision Zero Task Force is continuing its work to improve the safety of people who walk, roll and bike across streets within school zones regardless of their age or ability.

The goal is to eliminate speeding on city streets, particularly within active school zones. 

Based upon the Code of Virginia  adopted by the General Assembly and the Ordinance (2021-371) adopted by Richmond City Council with the support of Mayor Stoney, the Safe and Healthy Streets Commission, and the Vision Zero Task Force, the following key points are highlighted for the public:

• Warning signs will be posted indicating that safety cameras to monitor vehicle speeds are in operation.
• A warning period of 30 days will be in effect once the cameras are in operation where warnings will be issued to the owner of vehicles.
• After the 30-day warning period, the registered owner of a vehicle shall be liable for a monetary civil penalty imposed if such vehicle is found to be traveling at speeds of at least 11 miles per hour above the posted school crossing zone or highway work zone speed limit within such school crossing zone or highway work zone, while such zone is active.
  
  • Within the first 30 days of the first violation, the civil penalty shall be $50;
  • For all subsequent violations after the first 30 days after the first violation, the civil penalty shall be $100.
• Safety cameras will be in operation for up to two hours during the morning arrival times and up to two hours during the afternoon dismissal times when school is in session.
• Additional information will be posted on www.rva.gov for detailed information about the Safety Camera Program.

The Safety Camera Program is one part of a comprehensive approach to better manage speeds within the City of Richmond. 

Incorporating recommendations from the Vision Zero Task Force, DPW uses the complete streets approach along with Vision Zero principles to change the build environment to make roadway and safety improvements, such as:

• The construction of 200 speed tables citywide in this current fiscal year, using a $1.1 million allocation of local resources supported by the Mayor and the Richmond City Council
• The implementation of traffic calming measures with additional crossing enhancements for people walk, roll, or ride transit
• The improvement of streets using roadway conversions to prioritize transit like the Broad Street Streetscape project
• The installation of pedestrian hybrid beacons for people crossing multi-lane streets
• The reallocation of street space using roadway conversions to provide quick build bike infrastructure using the City’s resurfacing program
• The construction of accessible sidewalks with pedestrian countdown signals and high visibility crosswalks to transit stops
• The conversion of intersections into modern roundabouts
• Securing over $650 million in discretionary funding for transportation projects to change the built environment
• Retiming traffic signals to encourage speeds to follow the speed limit, creating a wait at the next red light for people that elect to speed
• Engaging public on developing safety culture through its Speed Management Symposiums and to share the City’s comprehensive approach to speed management
  
  • Note: the next symposium will be held Wednesday, November 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Main Street Station, located at 1500 East Main Street.
• Participating in an ongoing National Speed Management Pilot Program
• Lowering all speed limits on city-maintained streets to a maximum of 35 mph, except for one regional freeway at 45 mph
• Launching public service announcements to encourage slowing down to a stop for people crossing the street

Two additional expansions are planned for the Safety Camera Program that will bring the total number at the pilot stage from 4 to 26 safety cameras, covering 13 school zones.  RPD will continually monitor the program’s effectiveness and have the ability to move these mobile safety cameras as needed when crash data indicates a higher-priority location has been identified. The data collected by these devices is not permitted to be used in other investigations.

For more information on Safety Camera Program, please visit us online at: https://rva.gov/police/safety-camera-program

For more information on Vision Zero, go to https://www.rva.gov/public-works/vision-zero

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

The City of Richmond, Virginia, in 1966, codified one of the oldest continuously operating transportation safety commissions in North America - The Safe and Healthy Streets Commission (SHSC). Since its inception, the SHSC has advised the Richmond City Council on all transportation safety matters. The SHSC has a diverse membership and includes citizens, transportation safety professionals, a city council member, the Chief of Police, the Director of Public Works, the Superintendent of Schools, and the City Transportation Engineer.

The SHSC sets annual priorities focused on executive, legislative, budgetary, and cultural changes. These priorities work towards the Richmond City Council’s 2016 goal, backed by Mayor Stoney, to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries to ZERO by 2030. The SHSC’s annual priorities reflect the City’s commitment to Vision Zero, the Safe System approach (SSA), and Complete Streets policies. The SHSC adopted the twelve strategies and five supplemental planning needs, based on their set annual priorities, to improve Richmond’s built environment and strengthen the culture of safety. With its high-functioning Vision Zero organizational structure, Richmond is well positioned to implement these projects and supplemental planning activities that showcase the impact of the SSA using proven safety countermeasures and low-cost, high-impact strategies.

The Safe and Healthy Streets Commission (SHSC) adopted Richmond’s Vision Zero Action Plan in 2018 and is charged with monitoring and reporting progress on the Action Plan. The Mayor and the SHSC established a Vision Zero Task Force, made up of City department leaders, charged with implementing the strategies, projects, and policies set out in the Action Plan.

LISC commits to investing $50 million to match city’s investment for a total of $100 million in affordable housing over next five years

Richmond, VA – Today at a press conference, Mayor Levar Stoney, members of the Richmond City Council, and representatives from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) announced that LISC will be partnering with the City of Richmond and matching the city’s investment of $50 million, for a total of $100 million, to tackle the affordable housing crisis in Richmond over the next five years.

By working with interested lenders and philanthropic organizations to generate new funding, LISC committed up to $10M each year for the next five years. In addition to monetary resources, LISC and the City will support organizational capacity-building efforts by establishing a Housing Development Training Institute (HDTI) to build local affordable housing development capacity and offer a new Small Building Loan Program for developers and owners of rental properties with 5 to 49 units to rehabilitate or construct.

Today at City Hall, Mayor Levar Stoney spoke about the importance of addressing the affordable housing crisis, the city’s progress of adding more than 9,000 residential units since 2019, and his work with City Council to invest $50 million in affordable housing and declare a housing crisis earlier this year. LISC President Denise Scott, City Council President Michael Jones, and City Councilwoman Ellen Robertson also gave brief remarks.

“In order to truly address the housing crisis head on, we must work together and collaborate with community partners,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “We’re thrilled about our partnership with LISC and what it means for the City of Richmond. This is what it means to be innovative and solutions-oriented as an administration and community. Today marks a historic investment in affordable housing and I could not be more excited about what’s to come for our great city.”

"When we invest in affordable housing, we invest in the future of Richmond and its residents,” said Denise Scott, LISC president. “This fund will help accelerate the speed and scale of housing development, with a ripple effect that positively impacts jobs, health, safety and other key components of opportunity and growth. We are excited to partner with city leaders on an effort that supports a good quality of life for local families and a strong economic outlook for the whole of Richmond."

“The complex challenges presented by the affordable housing crisis require bold actions, innovative approaches, and strategic partnerships,” said Jane Ferrara Executive Director of LISC Virginia.” We thank the Mayor, and his team for choosing LISC as a trusted partner. We look forward to working with the city to implement a strategy driven by a vision for a more affordable and inclusive City where people not only want to live, but can afford to thrive.”

“The dollars that we are investing into affordable housing send a clear message to where the City of Richmond’s heart is,” said Council President Michael Jones. “All this begins with a roof. We understand that having a roof over your head points to having a stable living environment for families and children […] Too many Richmond families have fallen through the cracks, by committing 100 million dollars into affordable housing, we are seeking to seal up those cracks and address this problem head on.”

“This is a tremendous partnership between the City of Richmond and LISC,” said Councilwoman Ellen Robertson. “Not one year has gone by that the City of Richmond has not put forth an effort to move the agenda of tackling the affordable housing crisis forward. We will continue to move that agenda farther along than where we are today. Partnering with LISC, we will tackle this issue and help future generations to come.”

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