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Press Releases and Announcements

City to Open Cooling Stations, July 23

City to Open Cooling Stations, July 22

For those citizens seeking relief during the extreme heat and have no other options, here are some options:

Richmond Social Services Marshall Plaza Building, located at 900 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA and 4100 Hull Street, Richmond, VA, will be open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 for those seeking relief. All citizens must wear face coverings while in the building and maintain a safe physical distance of six feet from others. Seating will be arranged for the appropriate social distancing. (Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted).

Richmond Public Libraries are open to the public with limited hours. Please visit the https://rvalibrary.org/reopening/ for details on the limited hours, services and important changes. All patrons and library employees are required to wear masks and maintain a safe physical distance of six feet from others at all times. If you have a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms, do not enter the building.

For more information regarding cooling assistance services, city residents should contact the city’s Department of Social Services Fuel Assistance Office at (804) 646-7046. Elderly residents with cooling related issues should contact Adult Services at (804) 646-7367. In the event of a heat related emergency, please call 9-1-1.

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City to Open Cooling Stations, July 21

For those citizens seeking relief during the extreme heat and have no other options, here are some options:

Richmond Social Services Marshall Plaza Building, located at 900 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA and 4100 Hull Street, Richmond, VA, will be open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21 for those seeking relief. All citizens must wear face coverings while in the building and maintain a safe physical distance of six feet from others. Seating will be arranged for the appropriate social distancing. (Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted).

Richmond Public Libraries are open to the public with limited hours. Please visit the https://rvalibrary.org/reopening/ for details on the limited hours, services and important changes. All patrons and library employees are required to wear masks and maintain a safe physical distance of six feet from others at all times. If you have a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms, do not enter the building.

For more information regarding cooling assistance services, city residents should contact the city’s Department of Social Services Fuel Assistance Office at (804) 646-7046. Elderly residents with cooling related issues should contact Adult Services at (804) 646-7367. In the event of a heat related emergency, please call 9-1-1.

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City to extend cooling station hours during heat advisories

In light of the recent extreme temperatures in the area, the Stoney administration is extending cooling station hours from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. to 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. while a heat advisory is in effect in the City of Richmond.

When the cooling station is open, but a heat advisory is not in effect, visitors will be welcome from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is a change rooted in compassion and common sense,” said Mayor Stoney. “I know how hot this city can get during the summer. Nobody should risk heat stroke because they are experiencing homelessness or lack access to adequate air conditioning.”

“It’s the city’s job to step in, reach out a helping hand and prioritize public health.”

During the extent of the governor’s mask mandate, all residents who wish to use the cooling shelters must wear face coverings and practice social distancing where possible.

For more information regarding cooling assistance services, city residents should contact the city’s Department of Social Services Fuel Assistance Office at (804) 646-7046. Elderly residents with cooling related issues should contact Adult Services at (804) 646-7367. In the event of a heat related emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Mayor Stoney details paving plans, progress at Chippenham project site

Mayor Stoney visited the Department of Public Works (DPW) crews paving along Richmond’s segment of Chippenham Parkway Tuesday evening.

The Chippenham Parkway paving project spans nearly 20 lane miles and constitutes a $1.5 million investment in the roads of the Southside. To minimize congestion along the major thoroughfare, the bulk of the paving is being done at night.

The mayor also provided a summary of paving progress made throughout FY2020, noting that light traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic facilitated efficient work.

“I’m all about looking for the silver lining in this new normal, determining how we can work together to turn a bad situation into a productive one,” said the mayor. “The work done on our roads is a great example of that.”

In FY2020, the city paved over 320 lane miles. That work constituted a roughly $22 million-dollar investment: $15 million from the CIP budget, $1 million in state revenue funds and $6 million in various DPW and Department of Public Utilities funding.

The mayor also provided a list of upcoming paving projects, including major thoroughfares like Broad Street, Ruffin Road and Fairfield, Fauquier and Patterson Avenues, as well as residential areas like Oakwood, Mosby, Whitcomb, Carytown South and the Fan.

“In this city, there’s an equitable solution to every problem,” said the mayor. “You’re seeing our plan for equitable streets in action.”