The Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will open Friday, November 1 – Sunday, November 3, 2019, as temperatures are forecast to remain at or below 40 degrees.

The location of the shelter is the Annie Giles Community Resource Center, formerly The Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way. The shelter hours of operation are 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The registration period is from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Single adults requiring overnight shelter are to call the Homeless Crisis Line at (804) 972-0813 for a referral to the appropriate shelter. Single adults residing in the City of Richmond who are not eligible for existing shelter or are advised that all available beds have been filled should report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities (511 W. Grace St. Richmond, VA 23220; (804) 648-4177) during operational hours (8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to receive a referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter.

City residents are also advised the Department of Social Services provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for residents who qualify. Residents may also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046.

The elderly or residents with disabilities should contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please contact Commonwealth Catholic Charities at (804) 648-4177.

Significant improvements to several Public Works request types will be implemented in RVA311 on November 1. Changes will separate out some request types that were previously combined, resulting in three benefits:

1. It will be easier to find the right request for your needs
2. Submissions will be more accurate
3. Requests will route to the appropriate internal team more efficiently

Two other, similar request types will be combined for ease of use.

In addition, descriptions of these requests have been completely rewritten to explain clearly to citizens what process they need to follow and what to expect when submitting a request.

1. “Parking Application” has been separated into two distinct requests: "Request Handicap Parking Sign" and "Request Residential Parking Permit." Request routing has been improved.
2. “Paid Services” Request has been redesigned into three distinct requests, tailored to each need to be easier to use for both citizens and Solid Waste staff: "Request Residential Trash Can," "Request Business Trash Can or Services Change," and "Request Paid Bulk or Appliance Pick Up."
3. Currently combined “Public Litter / Storm Debris” will be separated into two distinct requests to improve submission accuracy: "Report Litter on Public Property" and "Request Collection of Storm Debris."
4. Separate Public and Private Graffiti requests have been combined into single request: "Report Graffiti."
5. Two new "Info Only" Requests Added: "How to Request Police Attendance at Community Event" and "How to Report a Gas Leak."
6. "Paid Leaf Service" has been enabled for the season.

Citizen Service & Response will continue to make enhancements to requests in the future based on public and internal feedback, usage data and analysis.

The Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) mobile customer service center – DMV Connect – will be at Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, on Friday, November 1, 2019,http://dmvnow.com from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DMV Connect offers common DMV transactions including applying for and renewing driver's licenses and ID cards, titles and registrations, license plates, driver transcripts, disabled parking placards or plates, address changes, E-ZPass transponders, hunting and fishing licenses and much more.

Citizens are encouraged to research and bring the required documents to complete your transactions. To determine what documents are needed, use the interactive document guide at dmvnow.com.

DMV Connect is a portable program serving Virginians who may not be able to travel to a DMV office. These services will be offered at least once per month in the City of Richmond, depending on the volume of customers.

Work at Hopkins Road station to last four months

The initial phase begins Monday, October 28, on a two-phase project to replace the concrete tipping floors at the Waste Management Richmond Transfer Station at 3520 N. Hopkins Road. Once construction begins only half of the facility will be open for waste disposal during each phase.

During the first phase, the north half of the floor will be removed and replaced. Construction is expected to be completed on December 26.  The following day, December 27, phase two begins on the south half of the floor and will last until February 28. 

Due to the heavy volume of daily traffic at the station, extended delays are anticipated during the renovations. The city is urging Richmond residents who utilize the facility to instead use the East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) at 3800 East Richmond Rd. Items such as trash, bulk and brush, and household hazardous waste can be disposed at that location. Beginning Monday, hours of operation at ERRCC are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. The facility is only for city residents. Proof of residency is required.

After 34 years of making downtown Richmond shine, the time-honored tradition of Grand Illumination hosted by the James Center will now be operated by the City of Richmond. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) will host Downtown Illumination RVA at Kanawha Plaza, 801 E. Canal Street, on Friday, December 6, 2019 beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Originally catered to the tenants, visitors, and their families of the Hames Center, this long-standing kick-off to the holiday season has annually attracted thousands to Downtown Richmond for family-friendly fun. The City of Richmond would like to thank the James Center for serving as the originators and the driving force behind this time-honored holiday tradition.

PRCF will have more details in the coming weeks.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.