Framework underscores the coordinated, strategic approach to gun violence prevention and intervention that is essential to public safety and a thriving community.

Richmond, VA — Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced the publication of the Administration’s report to address Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention in the City of Richmond.

The mayor marked the historic announcement by hosting a roundtable to thank key stakeholders from around the city who had been involved in crafting the report as part of the city’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Working Group. He expressed his deep gratitude to leaders from city and state agencies and nonprofits noting that their cooperation and collaboration underscores the coordinated, strategic approach to gun violence prevention and intervention that is essential to public safety and a thriving community.

“I know our residents, and many of you all, have contributed blood, sweat and many tears, literally, working for a better, safer day in our city,” the mayor told the panel, which included representatives from VCU Health, the Richmond City Health District, Richmond Public Schools, community partners, and many others.

“I know this has been a labor of love for all of you – and that’s easy to understand. Because we love our city.  We love the peace of mind -- and body -- that comes from feeling safe in our neighborhoods and in our homes.  And because we love our children, we will find a positive path forward and make our city safer.”

The past few years have been intentional and strategic – engaging the communities most impacted by gun violence and the experts who have been leading efforts to reduce violence – not just a cookie cutter program to plug into any city, but one that is specific to the needs and circumstances within the City of Richmond. 

“We know that we need both police enforcement and intervention and community prevention programs that are evidence-based to wrap their arms around our youth and their families,” the mayor said.

“I know thousands of people are working to prevent gun violence every day – from teachers, police officers, doctors, coaches, social workers, faith based leaders, parents, and guardians. These are our unsung heroes.”

In his remarks the mayor also called for stronger gun regulations and for residents to lock up guns in their homes and cars. He said the city must also address the root causes of crime that contribute to violence in the community. He acknowledged that the issue of rising gun violence, which has impacted cities across the nation over the last two years will not be solved overnight.

“It will take time, sustained resources, and dedicated partners to curb violence,” the mayor said, noting that this week is National Youth Violence Prevention Week. “But I want you to know that your city is committed to this effort. We will not stop – and we ask that you join us.”

Councilmembers also voiced their strong support and commitment to the Mayor’s approach to address gun violence:

“Having a coordinated, strategic gun violence prevention and intervention framework is critical to addressing gun violence in our city,” said Council President Cynthia Newbille, who participated in the GVPI working group. “We especially need to lift-up our youth and their families and ensure they have every opportunity and tool to succeed. This holistic approach takes great strides in doing so, and I know we will not stop there. Thank you to all that helped craft this framework – it is clear a lot of thought and strategic intentionality went into getting us to this moment.”

“Guns have become the weapon of choice and they are being used recklessly and have taken the lives of babies, young children and youth - caught in the line of fire,” said Council Vice President Ellen Robertson. “The perpetrators are younger and have easy access to guns. The reality is hatred causes anger and anger will make one kill. The City’s gun violence remedy starts by addressing hatred and easy access to the weapon used to kill -- the gun!”

“We will never address gun violence overnight, but I am proud of the Richmond-specific framework the GVPI Working Group created,” said Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert, who also served on the working group. “It emphasizes the need for youth programs and a community-based approach to prevent violence – all of which the Administration is providing funds to accomplish. By following this framework and working together we can make a difference and address this public health crisis.”

“As a resident of the Southside, I feel the impact of gun violence daily and I am encouraged that the Mayor and City Council are committed to addressing gun violence prevention through such a comprehensive framework,” said Councilman Michael J. Jones.

“Gun violence prevention is a multifaceted issue that requires an exhaustive approach and I am inspired by this holistic agenda. I am not naive or think that gun violence in the city will be resolved overnight but I am optimistic at this step toward a resolution.”

For more information on the city’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention framework, please visit http://www.rva.gov/Rvagvpi .

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City government offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Friday, April 15, 2022, for the Spring Holiday. City offices will resume normal business hours on Monday, April 18.

This closure includes all branches of the Richmond Public Library. All branches will reopen at 10 a.m., on Saturday, April 16. All Parks, Recreation & Community facilities offices and city community centers will be closed on April 15.

Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) will be closed Sunday, April 17. RACC Shelter offers adoptions by appointment Sunday through Friday and is open to the public Saturdays from Noon until 5 p.m.

All DPW offices will be closed on Friday, April 15. Also, the East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC landfill), located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be closed Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16. DPW offices and the ERRCC will reopen on Monday, April 18.

~ Drivers can expect intermittent travel lane, parking lane and sidewalk closures during construction ~

RICHMOND, Va. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin paving on April 11 along Broad Street from 3rd Street to Staples Mill Road ahead of the streetscape construction project on Broad Street.  The Broad Street Gateway and Corridor Improvements Project is intended to enhance the overall character of Broad Street, complement the Pulse BRT project, and establish a unified design for one of the City’s primary gateway corridors. There will be intermittent travel lane, parking lane and sidewalk closures during construction. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete by the fall of 2023.

The project includes the following components (project work will overlap):

1. Paving:
   
   • Project timeframe: April 11 - Summer 2022
   • Area: Broad Street from 3rd Street to the city/county line just west of Staples Mill Road
   • Paving work will be completed in five (5) segments
   • Each segment will be done from the outside lanes to the inside, north side, then returning on the south side (on-street parking will not be available while paving is occurring)
   • Paving segments:
     
     • 3rd Street to Belvidere Street
     • Belvidere Street to Meadow Street/Hermitage Road
     • Meadow Street/Hermitage Road to Arthur Ashe Boulevard
     • Arthur Ashe Boulevard to Hamilton Street
     • Hamilton Street to the county line
   • Note: Paving will be a 24-hour operation, starting at 6 p.m. on Sundays and ending at 6 p.m. on Fridays and there will be some complete street closures.
   • Funding for this project was provided through the Central Virginia Transportation Authority

2. Streetscape:
   
   • Project timeframe: April 25 through Fall 2023
   • Area: Hamilton Street to Laurel Street
   • The project will replace sidewalks throughout the corridor and upgrade curb ramps to improve accessibility for pedestrians, individuals who use mobility devices, people with visual impairments etc. New trees will be planted to provide greenery and shade to pedestrians and street furniture such as benches, trash cans, and bike racks will be placed along Broad Street. Decorative light fixtures will be installed on existing poles to illuminate sidewalks for additional pedestrian safety at night. To improve traffic safety, curb bump-outs will be constructed to guide vehicles through existing lane shifts and prevent illegal parking. At locations where properties have multiple access points to a parking lot or property, select driveway entrances on Broad Street will be permanently closed to further improve traffic safety and reduce rear end crashes.
   • Funding for this project was provided through VDOT’s SMART SCALE program.

3. Pulse BRT Red Pavement:
   
   • Project timeframe: Construction expected May through August 2022
   • Area: Broad Street from I-195 to 1st Street
   • The Pulse BRT Red Pavement project will install red-colored pavement marking in the dedicated bus-only lanes from I-195 to 1st Street. The project is funded through a Department of Rail and Public Transit grant and is intended to improve driver and pedestrian awareness of the dedicated bus-only lanes, reduce unauthorized use of the bus-only lanes, and improve bus operations.
   • Funding for this project was provided through the DRPT Demonstration Project Assistance MERIT Grant Program

4. Richmond Signal System – Phase III:
   
   • Project timeframe: April through December 2022 with additional traffic signal upgrades in 2023
   • Area: Thompson Street to Staples Mill Road
   • Project details: installing conduit, junction boxes and fiber-optic lines to existing traffic signals
   • Note: work will primarily be in the sidewalks
     
     • Traffic signal upgrades coming in 2023 to the following areas:
       
       • the intersection of Broad and Westmoreland
       • the intersection of Broad and Commonwealth
   • Background: The department operates and maintains 480 traffic signalized intersections. Communications between the traffic signal central system and each traffic signal controller provide enhanced remote monitoring, optimized and efficient signal coordination, transit signal priority along the Pulse Corridor, special events management, and maintenance capabilities, which benefit the City and all roadway users. Since 2009, DPW has been diligently working to expand the signal system infrastructure and associated communications assets to integrate all signalized intersections in the City into a centralized traffic signal system. The Downtown area was completed in Phase I and South of the James River in Phase II.
   • Funding for this project was provided through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program from the Federal Highway Administration and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The project is also in partnership with the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

5. Public Utility Waterline Replacement:
   
   • Timeframe: Construction expected in the spring of 2023
   • Area: Along Broad Street from 3rd Street to I-95
   • This project will be handled by the Department of Public Utilities

For more information and weekly updates, go to https://www.rva.gov/public-works/broad-street-project or email questions to 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 178 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.

Beginning  Friday, April 1, the cash operations counter at the East District Initiative building will be closed until further notice

The change is due to short staffing. If you would like to explore the many quality job openings at the city’s Department of Finance, click here.

This does not impact the hours or services of other city agencies operating out of the East District Initiative building.

Customers of the Finance Department can make payments the following ways:

Pay in person: bring your bill and cash, check, money order or credit card to the following locations:

• Southside Initiative (Free Parking): 4100 Hull Street – Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• City Hall: 900 E. Broad Street, Room 102 – Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Pay by phone or online:

• Personal Property/Real Estate - You can pay your personal property or real estate online by visiting the Finance page on www.rva.gov or pay by phone by calling 1-866-890-5269. Follow the links to Finance and the Online Payment section. Electronic check/ACH transactions will incur a $.95; credit/debit card transaction fee is based on payment amount. Fees assessed by third party as outlined.
• Admission, Lodging and Meals (online only) - You can pay your ALM taxes online by visiting the Finance page on www.rva.gov.
• Department of Public Utilities – You can pay Department of Public Utilities bills online by visiting the Department of Public Utilities page on www.rva.gov or by pay by phone by calling 804-646-4646. Follow the links to Public Utilities and the Billing section.

Pay at drop box locations: bring your bill and check or money order to the following locations:

• City Hall: 24 Hours - 900 East Broad Street, on the 10^th Street side
• City Hall: 900 East Broad Street - Outside Room 102
• East District Initiative: 24 Hours - 701 North 25^th Street
• Southside Initiative: 4100 Hull Street

Pay by mail: make checks payable to City of Richmond and mail check or money order to the address on the stub of your bill.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have questions about how to make a payment at this time, please call RVA311 at 3-1-1 or 804-646-7000.

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Join Capital One and the Office of Minority Business for the Capital One Diverse Supplier Mentoring Program’s “Special Restaurant Training Session.” The one-day virtual training is open to all restaurant owners and up-and-coming owners.

The session will be facilitated by Jason Alley, City of Richmond Policy Advisor for Restaurants and Small Business. The session will cover the following topics:

• General business requirements
• Importance of knowledge of the business you own, or plan to own
• Ongoing/continuous improvement plans
• Opening a food service business in the City of Richmond
• Determining the appropriate venture
• Business 101 for restaurants
• Overview of general trends in the industry

The training will take place on Monday, April 11, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 6, 2022. To receive the meeting link, registration is required.

To register, you may click on the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a49a4ad23a3f85-restaurant1

If you have any questions, you may contact the Office of Minority Business Development at (804) 646-5947 or email us at gale.jones@rva.gov.

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