In order to dispel confusion regarding the Stay at Home Order issued by Governor Northam on Monday, March 30 and how it related to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the department has put together a brief frequently asked questions list. 

What is the “Stay at Home Order”?
Issued by Governor Ralph Northam on March 30, 2020, the Stay at Home Order states:
 “All individuals in Virginia shall remain at their place of residence, except as provided below. To the extent individuals use shared or outdoor spaces, whether on land or on water, they must at all times maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person, with the exception of family or household members or caretakers. Individuals may leave their residences for the purpose of:

• Obtaining food, beverages, goods, or services as permitted in Executive Order 53; 
• Seeking medical attention, essential social services, governmental services, assistance from law enforcement, or emergency services; 
• Taking care of other individuals, animals, or visiting the home of a family member; 
• Traveling required by court order or to facilitate child custody, visitation, or child care; 
• Engaging in outdoor activity, including exercise, provided individuals comply with social distancing requirements; 
• Traveling to and from one’s residence, place of worship, or work;  
• Traveling to and from an educational institution; 
• Volunteering with organizations that provide charitable or social services; and 
• Leaving one’s residence due to a reasonable fear for health or safety, at the direction of law enforcement, or at the direction of another government agency.”

The full text of the Executive Order can be read here.

• How long will these restrictions last?
  • Executive Order 55 is scheduled to end on June 10, 2020. 
• Are the parks closed?
  • No, open space parks located within the city limits are not closed, just some of the amenities. 
• What cannot be used at a park?
  • Basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, skate parks, ball fields, playground equipment, and the dog parks cannot be used during this state of emergency and while Executive Order 55 is in place. Team sports such as basketball and football should not be played. Furthermore, swimming or sunbathing at the James River is also prohibited.
• What can I do at a park?
  • Visitors can exercise, bike, walk, run, or hike within the parks. You can also fish and paddle in the James River.
• What do I do if I see a group of more than 10 individuals?
  • If you see a group of more than 10 congregating, please call the Richmond Police Department non-emergency number at 804-646-5100.

Work begins in early May on the Mosby Street – Bike and Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project,

La Autoridad de Desarrollo Económico de Richmond creó hoy el Programa de Préstamos por Desastres para Pequeños Negocios de Richmond (COVID-19), el cual ofrecerá préstamos de emergencia sin intereses de hasta $20 000 para pequeños negocios ubicados dentro de los límites de la ciudad. 

La intención del programa es de ayudar a aquellos pequeños negocios que se han visto afectados por la pandemia de COVID-19. El dinero será para pagar los sueldos de los empleados, posibilitar que estos pequeños negocios sigan operando y que mantengan a sus empleados en la nómina. 

“Los pequeños negocios han hecho de Richmond la próspera capital cultural que amamos”, dijo el alcalde Stoney. “Ellos han sido comprensivos, pacientes y generosos al adaptarse a las recientes guías de distanciamiento social, sin importar las consecuencias económicas que pudieran sufrir. Esta es nuestra respuesta a su petición de un camino confiable hacia el futuro”, agregó. 

La cantidad máxima de cada préstamo en este programa es la que sea menor entre cubrir seis meses de sueldos actuales de los empleados o $20 000. El préstamo se desembolsará a lo largo de seis meses.  

El repago de los préstamos será diferido por seis meses (período de gracia), seguidos de 48 meses de pagos sin intereses.

Los pequeños negocios interesados en hacer la solicitud deberán llenar el formulario y enviarlo por correo electrónico, junto a los documentos requeridos. La solicitud estará disponible para su descarga a partir del lunes 6 de abril.  

Los fondos disponibles son limitados y las solicitudes se evaluarán en el orden en que hayan sido entregadas. 

Project will make roads safer near MLK Middle School. 

Work begins in early May on the Mosby Street – Bike and Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project, which includes crosswalks, pavement markings, signage and vertical flexible delineators for the new bike lanes. The work will start once resurfacing is completed. While parking on Mosby Street will be removed to accommodate these improvements, parking will still be available on the adjacent side streets in close proximity to Mosby Street. 

These enhancements will be improve safety for Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School students and residents of Mosby Court apartments. It also will be safer for those who walk in the area by decreasing exposure to traffic and the number of travel lanes to cross. Fewer travel lanes also will result in better speed management, which is critical in a school zone. The reduction in travel lanes will create more multi-modality and more space for bicyclists, as the design provides for separated buffered bike lanes that will increase their comfort level.  

This ‘road diet’ aligns with the city’s Vision Zero initiative to increase road safety and eliminate crashes involving fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.

Construction is expected to be completed in two months, weather permitting. Business and residential access will be permitted at all times. 

The $225,000 project is funded through the city’s Capital Improvement Program.