City News

Press Releases and Announcements

Canal Walk Improvement Project underway to improve accessibility

Posted August 7, 2024

~ Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late spring 2025 ~

 

RICHMOND, Va.  – The Department of Public Works recently started construction on Phase II of the CVT Canal Walk Improvement Project. The construction area includes the south side of the canal at the pedestrian bridge crossing near the intersection of 15th and Dock streets. The project will provide improvements to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure along the Canal Walk.

Project improvements include:

  • Installing ramp extensions
  • Installing retaining walls to support the embankment along the ramp
  • Adding landscaping and hardscape consistent with the existing Canal Walk
  • Construction of a shared use path
  • Installing granite curbs, grading, and erosion and sediment control

Weather permitting, this project is projected to be completed by late spring 2025.

Funding for the project was provided by the Federal Transportation Alternative Program with a twenty percent matching contribution from the city.

For more information on the Department, go to www.rva.gov/public-works or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on 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.

City of Richmond Monitoring the Progress of Tropical Storm Debby

The City of Richmond continues to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Debby. While the current forecast has decreased the rain totals for the city, the heaviest of the rain is expected Thursday night into Friday morning.

City agencies and partners began preparatory actions as early as last week and are receiving daily briefings on the updated weather forecast. The Department of Public Utilities have actively been cleaning storm drains, particularly in areas that are prone to flooding. The Office of Emergency Management has been in regular communication with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Dominion Energy, and other partner organizations.

The Inclement Weather Shelter, operated in partnership with the Salvation Army and located at 1900 Chamberlayne Parkway, will be open beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 8. Meals will be provided for the duration of the activation.

The City urges residents to avoid driving through flooded areas or around road barriers as the storm passes through the area. Remember, turn around, don’t drown.

As the forecast evolves, the City of Richmond will keep our residents and visitors updated. Please follow the City on social media – Facebook @RVAGov; Instagram @RVAGov; and Twitter @CityRichmondVA.

Restricted parking permits for Historic Jackson Ward Parking District available online

Posted August 1, 2024

 

 

~ Current parking decal expires August 31, 2024 ~

 

RICHMOND, Va.  – New parking decals for qualifying residents in the Historic Jackson Ward District are now on sale for $25. The current decal expires August 31. Residents can get more information, verify residency, and purchase a permit through the online portal www.rva.gov/public-works/parking-enterprise. Additionally, both mail-in and in-person renewal options are available.

Residents must display the permit on their car to park for more than the designed time restriction. A resident is either the residing owner of record or renter of property located within the Restricted Parking District. A City of Richmond Residential Parking Permit Application must be completed and approved prior to decal issuance. The Department of General Services verifies residency for both homeowners residing at the property and lease agreements for renters.

A resident of the district is defined as an owner of record or renter of property in the district and members of their immediate family who reside with the owner or renter at the address in the district:

  1. Who are licensed drivers, and
  2. Whose domicile is the address for which they are seeking to obtain the parking permit

The following information and picture identification must be provided:

  1. Property owners must provide either a copy of their real estate bill or other information that verifies ownership of the property
  2. Renters must provide a valid written lease for property in the restricted parking district, and have the appropriate approval of the property owner on the application they present

Property owners and renters are required to comply with the residency requirements and the motor vehicle registration requirements of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Decals and applications are also available at City Hall, Room 102, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia. The office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call 804-646-5700 if you have any questions or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

For additional details, please use the 3-1-1 mobile app or online portal at www.RVA311.com or call 3-1-1.

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

From the Desk of the CAO: A letter to City staff

Richmond Begins Next Step in Three-Year Administrative Turnaround

July 25, 2024

 

Dear Team Richmond, 

I’m writing to thank you for your hard work in transforming the City of Richmond—and to say that we are just getting started.

When I became Chief Administrative Officer during the pandemic, key City offices were vastly understaffed, administrative processes were outdated, and recruitment needed to be improved. This slowed down delivery of basic services, and it prevented improvements in customer service. It put too much pressure on you. 

So together, we launched a 4-step turnaround plan: Hire more professional administrators, ensure recruitment and hiring practices that target qualified candidates, establish modern internal controls, and continuously monitor progress.  The plan is working, and it’s delivering results. For example, our current budget:  

  • Right sizes the Departments of Finance, Procurement, Social Services, and the City Attorney’s Office with additional positions.
  • Sets the minimum wage at $20/hour for all employees (one of the highest in the Commonwealth and certainly higher than the state’s $12 minimum wage and nearly three times the federal minimum wage of $7.25).
  • Provides an average of 7.0% pay increase for Sworn police and fire personnel.
  • Increases starting pay of Step 1 police officers and firefighters from $53,470 to $58,076.
  • Continues with salary competitiveness for eligible General Employees with a 4.0% increase.
  • Begins a multi-phased plan for market adjustments.
  • Supports citywide short- and long-term disability insurance as of January 2025.
  • Supports the new employee health clinics operated by Marathon health. 

Steps like these support everything we do in local government. For example, a professional credentialed Human Resources team enables us to fill hundreds of vacancies and attract qualified public servants. A better work environment leads to better services for residents, and that makes Richmond an even stronger city.   

Continuous improvement is the heart of our turnaround plan. We constantly measure how we’re doing, and we make adjustments along the way. That’s why Mayor Stoney has asked for an update of the 2017 assessment of City operations. Internally, we began the Internal Control Assessment in April and are now beginning the Procurement Services Assessment, which is authorized by the City’s FY 2025 budget that took effect July 1. As results come in, we will analyze them, make adjustments and keep moving.  

This administrative turnaround is designed to continuously improve operational performance, aiming to ensure a seamless transition as residents elect a new Mayor, City Council, and School Board in November. This is another sign of a thriving organization. 

It’s important to understand that this work is yielding clear results, and people are noticing. We can all be proud that Richmond earned its first ‘AAA’ bond rating last month. This is the country’s highest financial standard, and we have worked for many years to achieve it. This designation places us among the top tier of cities and counties around Virginia and around the country.  

Even so, steps like these rarely earn headlines. So, I want you to know that we will be telling this story more aggressively to the news media, starting this week. This includes setting the record straight about recent coverage that has been inaccurate at times. I also strongly believe that everyday City workers should not be targeted in news articles, when they are simply doing their jobs. 

That’s why, when I meet with reporters, I will start with your work. I will tell them how much I deeply appreciate your commitment to public service. I will show them how our watchwords are trust, respect, transparency, and accountability. 

And I will tell them how much more we must do. Public transit continues expanding around the region. Southside is growing fast, and it needs more services—from sidewalks to trees to entertainment, programming, and more. It’s simply not enough for everything to continue to be concentrated north of the river. 

All these projects can move faster, thanks to the stable foundation that we are building. 

I deeply appreciate your commitment to public service in the City that we all love so much. Your dedication inspires me. I want you to know that I see it, I hear it, and I value it.  

As we move forward, may we all continue committing to our shared vision and values. Let us continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in everything we do. Most of all, please remember that our work matters – it’s what keeps our beloved City of Richmond thriving and a cherished place to live.  

Once again, thank you.  

Yours in service,  

J.E. Lincoln Saunders

Richmond Administrators Begin Next Step in Organizational Strengthening

~Mayor Proposed Internal Controls Assessment in March, City Council Endorsed in May~
~Progress Affirmed by City’s First-Ever AAA Bond Rating, Earned Last Month~
~Administrators Preparing for Seamless Transition to New Mayor & City Council~

July 25, 2024

RICHMOND, VA – City of Richmond administrators said today that they are beginning the next steps in the City’s three-year operational turnaround, as the City continues systematically putting in place the foundational building blocks of a highly-functioning city government. The steps are yielding clear results, as demonstrated by Richmond earning its first ‘AAA’ bond rating last month after years of working to achieve the country’s highest financial standard.

City leaders said the administrative turnaround is designed to continuously improve operational performance, aiming to ensure a seamless transition as residents elect a new Mayor, City Council, and School Board in November.

“Richmond residents have long called for improvements in basic city services. We want to make this government better than it has ever been,” said Mayor Levar Stoney.

Download and read the full release here.

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