Posted July 2, 2024

~ Work is slated to begin this month & expected completion by Fall 2024, weather permitting ~

RICHMOND, VA. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is pleased to announce the upcoming construction of a new quick build project along Westover Hills Boulevard, Park Drive, and Blanton Avenue which form part of State Route 161 crossing the James River. The project will include street upgrades and provide important connections to the city’s bike network, expand accessibility, and improve safety for people walking, rolling, and biking. It reflects the city’s commitment to speed management as well as sustainable, multimodal transportation solutions and safety for all roadway users, regardless of age or ability.

Weather permitting, construction will begin this month and will be divided into two phases:

• Phase I: Westover Hills Boulevard beginning near Riverside Drive to the intersection with Dunston Avenue/49th Street
• Phase II: Park Drive and Blanton Avenue beginning at Pump House Drive to French Street

 During construction, residents may experience minor disruptions but every effort will be made to minimize inconveniences. Please be patient and give construction workers extra space and slow down when you see orange cones and work zones.

Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2024, weather permitting.

 This project supports the James River Master Plan and Richmond 300 to create multimodal neighborhood connections to parks. This project also supports the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan by using our complete streets approach to improve safe access for all. This process was driven by community input through a series of surveys and public engagements. Community feedback provided valuable input throughout the design process.

For more information on the Department of Public Works, please visit us online at https://www.rva.gov/public‐works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

 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.

Posted July 2, 2024

In observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, all City of Richmond offices, including City Hall, will be CLOSED. We will resume regular business hours on Friday, July 5.

• Animal Care and Control:
  • Closed on July 4, but don’t miss the sponsored pet adoption event by SlopePro Roofing July 5 to 7.
• Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities:
  • All offices and community centers will be closed on July 4. Pools will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Department of Public Works:
  • There will be no residential trash collection or bulk and brush collection on July 4. Collection will be delayed by one day. Trash scheduled for pick-up on Thursday will be picked up on Friday, July 5.
  • The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC - Landfill) located at 3800 East Richmond Road will also be closed on July 4.
  • Additionally, there will be no recycling collected. It will be collected on Friday, July 5.
• Department of Public Utilities:
  • For emergency utility services, call 804-646-4646 and press option 1.
  • For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.

Stay safe and enjoy the celebrations!

As part of the 67th annual Festival of Arts, the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities (PRCF) will host a Fourth of July celebration at Dogwood Dell on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

This free event will feature the Richmond Concert Jazz Band beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Richmond Concert Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. with a patriotic and pop music concert. The evening’s fireworks display will accompany the Richmond Concert Band playing “The 1812 Overture” at 9:15 p.m. The public is welcome to bring small coolers (glass bottles or alcohol are not allowed) or can purchase food from one of the vendors on site. 

Richmond Police Department will enforce the following no parking areas from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on July 4. Towing will be enforced beginning at 2 p.m.

• 700-1000 block of Blanton Avenue  between Garrett Street and Grant Street (Both sides)
• 400- 600 block S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard between Blanton and Idlewood Avenue (Both sides)
• 00-2200 block Park Drive between Pump House Dr. and Blanton Avenue (Both sides)
• 2600 block Idlewood Avenue between S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard and S. Robinson Street  (Both sides)
• Trafford Road (Police Memorial Way)
• 1000 block South Belmont between Grant Street and Garrett Street (both sides)
• 2900-3200 block Douglasdale Road between Blanton Avenue and Douglasdale Road
• 400-3600 block McCloy Street / Douglasdale Road between Idlewood Avenue and Portland Place
• 1400-2000 block Pump House Drive (Both Sides)
• 400-600 block S. Sheppard Street (Both Sides) between Blanton Avenue and  Idlewood Avenue
• 2000-2400 block Maplewood Avenue (Median Only) between S. Meadow Street and S. Davis Avenue
• 2000-2400 block Rosewood Avenue (Median Only) between S. Meadow Street and S. Davis Avenue
• 2900-3100 block Garrett Street (Both Sides) between Blanton Avenue and S. Belmont Avenue (Bus Route)
• 3500-3600 block Douglasdale Road (Both Sides) between Douglasdale Road and Portland Place

Arthur Ashe Boulevard at Idlewood Avenue will close to vehicular traffic beginning at 6 p.m. Parking is available at Dogwood Dell, with over flow parking at City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue, with free shuttle bus service 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Richmond Police Department reminds the public that what goes up must come down; celebratory gunfire is dangerous and puts your friends and family in jeopardy. Random gunfire that results in bodily injury to another person is considered a Class 6 felony and can carry a penalty of up to five years’ incarceration (Code of Virginia 18.2-280).

Use and possession of fireworks in the Richmond city limits is also illegal and is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine (Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code).

In observance of Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, please be advised of the following City of Richmond closures and schedule changes:

• All City of Richmond offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19.

• Public Works - Trash Collection:
  
  • There will be no residential trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Wednesday, June 19. Collection will be delayed by one day: Wednesday's collection will occur on Thursday and Thursday's pickup on Friday, June 21.

• East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC - Landfill):
  
  • Located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be closed on Wednesday, June 19.

• Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities:
  
  • Centers will be closed on Wednesday however, pools will be open from noon to 7 p.m.

• Public Utilities:
  
  • For emergency utility services, call 804-646-4646 and press option 1.
  • For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.

• Animal Care and Control:
  
  • Will operate normal hours from noon to 6 p.m.

Stay informed and enjoy your Juneteenth holiday responsibly!

Parks and Recreation Moves Up in Trust for Public Land Park Score Index
Richmond moves from 48^th in 2017 to 22^nd in 2024 out of top 100 cites in America

On May 22, 2024, the Trust for Public Lands released updated their thirteenth Park Score Index for park districts across the country. In a national index of America’s 100 most populous cities, the City of Richmond now ranks #22 in terms of access to high quality park spaces, up from #48 in 2017.

This annual report measures park systems on access, investment, amenities, acreage, and equity. For the 2024 Park Score Index, Richmond scored 62.3 points out of 100 based on the five categories, with 14 measures where points can be awarded. The updated ranking is a 17-point jump from 2023 and is 23 points higher than the year prior.  Richmond’s meteoric rise in park access and resources is a result of intersecting objectives: 

1. The City’s effort to close the park 10-minute walkability gap by creating parks in underserved neighborhoods;
2. The advancement of 4 community center capital projects through opportunities made possible by the American Recovery Plan Act; and
3. The addition of over 80 acres of park lands in south Richmond and the James River Park System.

“Since I took office in 2017, one of the top issues I heard from residents was to improve our park system,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “Now, after seven and half years, more Richmonders have access to our great park system than ever before. Our increased score from the Trust for Public Lands shows the incredible progress we have made in increasing our green space for ALL Richmonders to enjoy! I look forward to this progress continuing for years to come.”

Richmond saw the largest increase in points in the Investment category earning 47 points, an increase of 9 points from 2023. The city has increased the per capita spending for Parks and Recreation from $99 (below the national average in 2022) to $135 per capita (average national spending). The city also saw an increase in points in the measure of percent of low-income households that are within a 10-minute walk of a park. With additional acreage added to Parks and Recreation inventory with sites such as Broad Rock Creek Park located in the 8^th District, South Richmonders can access more greenspace than in previous years.

“Parks are places where we work to redefine our city; where community partners and government work together to activate these spaces,” said Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administration Officer of Human Services. “As we celebrate this new ranking, I would also like to celebrate the staff that are activating park spaces daily and helping the community decide who Richmond is every day.”

Over the last seven years, the city has increased the percentage of city area as parkland from 5% to 7.3% with the purchase of spaces such as the new Dock Street Park, the newly acquired Mayo Island, and the five new parks designated by Mayor Stoney and Council in 2020.

“Our park score shows that Richmond is a premiere place in the country to live and play! We are thrilled to see this monumental movement in our park score. This accomplishment is due to the leadership and support of Mayor Stoney, Council, and Administration, as well as the dedication of our community partners, citizens, and amazing Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities team,” said Chris Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

To read the entire report, please visit the Trust for Public Land website. For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit our website.