~Training and practice dry run simulation helps city prepare for snow removal season ~

RICHMOND, Va. – In preparation for inclement winter weather and to ensure snow removal readiness, the Department of Public Works (DPW) recently conducted training for staff and completed practice runs of its 60 snow routes to make certain crews are familiar with the routes. 

The department has over 6,000 tons of salt and 500 tons of sand along with 2,000 tons of a mixture of sand and salt, as well as chemicals designed to prevent bridge surfaces from freezing when the temperature is colder than 35 degrees.

During inclement winter weather, the city’s 1860 lane miles are prioritized for pre-treating and snow removal using the following priorities:

• First Priority: bridges, major thoroughfares, arterial streets and emergency routes
• Secondary Priority: minor thoroughfares and designated transit routes - these streets must be cleared first to make them passable for emergency vehicles and to permit entry and exit into the city.  Secondary arterial streets will be cleared to bare pavement within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling, dependent upon accumulation and temperature.
• Third-Tier Priority: Residential and other local streets

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

We’re Social! During winter storm events, be sure to get up-to-date notifications on the city’s Twitter (X) account @CityRichmondVA

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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

RICHMOND, Va. – New parking decals for residents of the Carver Restricted Parking District are now on sale. Residents can get more information, verify residency in their Parking District and download an application for mailing on the City’s website: www.rva.gov/public-works/parking-enterprise. Both mail-in and in-person renewal options are available for qualifying residents. The current parking permit expires December 31, 2023.

Residents must display the permit on their cars 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 Public Works 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

Decals and applications are also available at City Hall, Room 102, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia. The office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please call 804-646-5700 if you have any questions.

For more information on the Department, please visit us online at 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 (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

~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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