Thursday, December 27, 2018
Smith Appointed Interim Chief of Police for RPD
The administration of Mayor Levar M. Stoney today appointed current Richmond Police Department Acting Chief William C. Smith to serve as Interim Chief of Police following the retirement of Chief Alfred Durham on Dec. 31.
Smith, 50, began his law enforcement career with RPD in 1995 and has risen through the ranks of the department over a 23-year career. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1998, lieutenant in 2003, captain in 2007 and major in 2016. Smith was recently promoted to Deputy Chief and then designated as Acting Chief of Department by Chief Durham.
“Chief Smith is an experienced law enforcement professional who brings a sense of duty and an analytical approach to his work,” said Mayor Stoney. “He understands the unique demands and responsibilities of this important job, and I have confidence in his ability to manage the Richmond Police Department during this transition period.”
Chief Smith will run the department until a permanent chief of police is selected. Prior to his most recent promotion, Chief Smith served as Chief of Staff for the Richmond Police Department (2017), ran Business Services (2016-2017), and the Special Operations Division (2011-2016). He also commanded the Third Precinct (2009-2011) and supervised the Division of Emergency Communications (2007-09).
Chief Smith holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond, as well as the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston.
“I’m grateful to Mayor Stoney and Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn for this opportunity to lead,” said Chief Smith. “I look forward to continuing the important work of the Richmond Police Department as a community policing organization.”
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Local Governments Across Virginia Join Effort to Advocate for more Education Funding
Since 2009, state funding for K-12 education is down 9%, while overall student population has grown by 5%.
Today,
local elected officials from across the Commonwealth are joining the call for
more state funding for K-12 public education. Leaders from a number of
localities have signed on to support the March For More, which was announced on
Wednesday by Mayor Levar Stoney, Richmond Public Schools leadership and
education leaders from the across the region. March For More will take place on
December 8th starting at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Richmond and end at the State Capitol
steps.
The March is also supported by a
growing number of organizations committed to increasing state funding for
education, including the Virginia Education Association, Virginia Municipal
League, Virginia First Cities, and the NAACP, to name a few.
Leaders from across the
Commonwealth, representing a diversity of Virginians, support the March For
More and are encouraging parents, students, teachers, administrators and others
in the education field to participate in the march in Richmond:
Virginia Municipal League
Virginia First Cities
“Year after year, our cities are
digging deeper and deeper and making incredibly hard decisions about where to
cut in order to adequately educate our children because Virginia continues to
disproportionately rely on local governments to fund public schools…”
Mayor Justin Wilson, City of Alexandria:
“Localities like Alexandria are
committed to the investment necessary to create 21st century learning
environments for our children. However, we believe that the Commonwealth needs
to recognize and fund the true cost of public education in our communities.
Simply put, Virginia needs more state funding for K-12 education in our
communities. Our children need it. Our families deserve it. Our leaders must
demand it.”
Chairwoman Katie Cristol, Arlington County:
“As
a locality that receives the smallest percentage of funds from the state for
K-12 education, we’ve watched funding dwindle since the start of the recession
in 2009. The Virginia Department of Education’s data shows this in stark terms:
Arlington’s local expenditures for operations for the Standards of Quality in
2017 exceeded our required local effort by 181.6 percent. Shifting such a
disproportionate burden of educating young Virginians on to the Commonwealth’s
localities is as inequitable as it is unsustainable.”
Mayor Nikuyah Walker and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rosa Atkins City of Charlottesville:
“We’ve
asked the General Assembly to recognize and fund the true cost of public
education. From adequate SOQ funding, to increasing the At Risk Add On, to
funding for extended school day/extended school year programs, the
Commonwealth’s attention to funding a quality public education is being called
on and it’s urgent, for our children cannot afford to be kept waiting.”
Mayor Treney Tweedy, City of Lynchburg:
"Jobs are the key to economic recovery and adequate education is
essential for the foundational preparation of the current and future workforce.
The State should fully fund the Standards of Quality (SOQ), including support
staff costs and categorical incentive funds for At-Risk students and restore
funding from cuts to education over the last biennium. The state must meet its
education funding obligations and should refrain from changes in methodology
and division of financial responsibility that result in a further shift of
funding responsibility from the state to localities. These shifts do not change
what it actually costs to provide education but simply transfers additional
costs to local governments, and ultimately to the local real estate tax base."
Mayor Gene Teague and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Zebedee Talley Jr, City of Martinsville:
“We
are asking for statewide parity in state funding for school construction,
maintenance and operations. Further, we have asked the Commonwealth to fully
fund the expenditures imposed upon local school systems by implementing the
Standards of Quality because Martinsville invested 148.2% above the required
local effort for SOQ programs in 2016-2017.”
Mayor Kenneth Alexander, City of Norfolk:
“State
support of K-12 education has steadily declined over the last generation when
compared to the total growth of the general fund. Since FY2009, the state’s
K-12 appropriation has dropped from 35.2% of total general fund appropriations
to 29.9% in FY2019. There have been zero direct state grants for capital
improvements since FY2010, and even literary fund loans to school divisions
have been impacted. Localities have been forced to make up the
difference, and other vital services for families and communities have suffered
in the balance. In a time when Virginia is experiencing significant economic
growth and state revenue forecasts are improving, it is critical that we atone
for these cuts in investment imposed on our schools and restore state funding
for K-12 education.”
Councilwoman Jill Carson, Town of Pennington Gap
“The
formula for funding public schools, as it currently exists, does little or even
perhaps fails to meet the educational needs of poor rural school districts."
Mayor John Rowe, Jr., City of Portsmouth:
"The
local, state, and federal shares of school operations funding has shifted since
2008-2009 and Portsmouth has taken on a much larger share of funding.
Portsmouth invested 296.3% above the required local effort for SOQ programs in
2016-2017. Obviously, we cannot raise property taxes on an already stressed
citizenry. The state needs to step up funding for K-12 education."
Vice-Mayor Anita James-Price, City of Roanoke:
“Now
is the time for leadership to clearly establish that education is Virginia’s
top priority. Frederick Douglas said it best: “it is easier to build strong
children than to repair broken men”. Let’s invest today for the future of
tomorrow’s commonwealth.”
Mayor Carolyn Dull, City of Staunton:
“The
General Assembly simply needs to fully fund K - 12 education and fix the SOQ
formula to recognize the true cost of education, as our children deserve, and
our future workforce demands.”
In Virginia, localities are required to fund 45% of K-12 education, but are funding 57% of the spending – to the tune of about $4 billion more than required. In Virginia, localities are funding more than $4 billion over the State’s required local contribution.
“This is not just an urban school
problem, but a statewide issue that effects our rural and suburban localities
as well. Since 2009, state funding for K-12 education is down 9%, while overall
student population has grown by 5%,” said
Mayor Levar Stoney. “I’m proud to stand with local governments and school
districts across Virginia to say this is not only unacceptable – it is unjust
and immoral.”
Friday, November 16, 2018
Mayor Stoney Announces Key Priorities for Navy Hill Project Surplus
Additional $1.2 billion over 30 year dedicated to Education (50%), Housing (15%) and the Arts (1%)
Mayor Stoney announced his intention today to
dedicate significant portions of the surplus revenues from the Navy Hill
Redevelopment Project to his core priorities of education and housing. The
Mayor’s proposal, which will be included in the ordinances submitted to city
council in the coming weeks, would direct 50 percent of surplus revenues from
the Tax Increment Financing district to support Richmond Public Schools, 15
percent to support housing opportunities and homeless services and 1 percent
for art, history and cultural opportunities. The remaining 34 percent would remain
in the general fund for investments in public safety, public works and other
core city services.
“By dedicating significant portions of the
surplus revenues that this project will create to our top priorities of
education, housing opportunities, and arts and culture, we are following
through on my commitment that this project will truly be the greatest economic
empowerment project in our city’s history,” said Mayor Levar Stoney.
The city’s third party analysis estimated the
Navy Hill Project would generate $1.2 billion in surplus revenues to the City
General Fund over 30 years. The Mayor’s proposed distribution of surplus
revenues would provide an estimated $600 million for schools to use on
operations or could be bonded for infrastructure and capital needs, in addition
to the $34 million projected to be generated from the 1.5% of meals tax
collections that will still go to the special fund for school construction.
$180 million would be available for investments in housing needs such as
affordable housing opportunities, public housing transformation and
homelessness services intervention. $12 million would be dedicated for public
projects that add to the artistic, cultural and historic assets of the city. In
addition to these commitments, an additional $400 million would be available
for the city to invest in neighborhoods through roads and infrastructure
improvements, police and fire services, as well as other city services.
“I believe the 21,000 jobs, nearly 700 units of
affordable housing and the more than $300 million in opportunities for minority
business that the Navy Hill project will create already provides tremendous
economic opportunities for our residents. But I’m just as excited about its
potential to generate significant revenues that we can use to build a world-class
educational system, to improve housing opportunities for all our residents, and
to invest in art and cultural projects that tell our full and complete history.
This type of project will truly enable us to build One Richmond,” said Mayor
Stoney.
The Mayor’s plan won immediate support from
leaders of Richmond Public Schools, who were in attendance for the announcement
outside of George Mason Elementary School in Church Hill.
“This
partnership is a signal of new collaboration between RPS and the City,” said RPS School Board Chairwoman Dawn Page.
“I want to thank the Mayor for listening and prioritizing our children. There
is much more to do, but this agreement helps us move forward together.”
“This
is an important symbol of what we can achieve when we work together as One
Richmond,” said Richmond Public Schools
Superintendent Jason Kamras. “Starting in 2023, this revenue will allow us
to rebuild at least another half dozen schools. That means thousands of
children will have a beautiful, modern building to walk into every morning. Of
course, this doesn’t solve our facility challenges, nor does it address our
immediate need for more instructional dollars. But it’s a significant step in
the right direction.”
Advocates for improving housing opportunities in
the city also voiced support for the plan.
“This level of investment into affordable
housing will change so many lives,” said Councilwoman
Ellen Robertson, Chairwoman of the Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
“Right now, too many Richmonders are living in unsatisfactory conditions and we
haven’t had the resources to adequately help tackle this problem. This proposed
financial pledge to housing and homelessness services is exactly what our city
and our citizens need.”
“This distribution of surplus revenue which
directs 15 percent to housing goes a long way in finding the funds needed to
rehabilitate or replace aging buildings in our public housing communities and
bolster our homeless services. Everyone in Richmond deserves a high-quality
home, and Mayor Stoney’s proposal affirms that it’s a priority,” said Robert Adams, Chairman of the Board of
Commissioners, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
“This announcement of an estimated $180 million
over the next 30 years, in conjunction with the already announced commitment of
nearly 700 affordable housing units, will change the face of housing for this
city,” said Greta Harris, CEO of the
Better Housing Coalition. “It will address head-on the housing crisis and
homelessness and help us build an inclusive community that sends a message that
Richmond welcomes and serves residents of all income levels.”
“It’s no secret that Richmond’s culture is
strongly rooted in history and the arts. This commitment that the Mayor has put
forward will be a significant investment in our community arts and culture
programming. It is, in part, recognition that a city without arts and culture
is a city without a soul. And if there’s one thing we know, Richmond has soul,”
said Sarah Cunningham, Chairwoman of the
Richmond Public Arts Commission.
While the Navy Hill Project still requires City
Council approval, the Mayor’s plan to dedicate a significant portion of the
surplus revenue to education, housing and the arts was met with support by
members of City Council.
"While I will fully vet the Navy Hill
proposal with the community and council, I would strongly support the Mayor's
proposed allocation of the largest portion of the anticipated revenues to be
generated by the project to go to our public schools, followed by housing and
core services,” said Council
Vice-President Cynthia Newbille. “Education and housing are the city’s most
critical needs and require more resources. And the arts and cultural component
will go a long way in helping to bring art into our neighborhoods to help tell
the history of our city and highlight the culture of our communities.”
I look forward to reviewing this proposal
carefully to ensure that it delivers all that it promises. However, I think
dedicating 50% for schools, 34% for core services, 15% for affordable housing
is a clear demonstration of meeting the City’s commitment to these priorities,”
said City Council President, Chris
Hilbert. “This is a very positive development in this process and I welcome
the Mayor’s decision to pursue this avenue.”
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Mayor Stoney Appoints Reggie Gordon Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced today the appointment of Reginald E. Gordon to the position of Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. Mr. Gordon has served in the interim capacity since August, 2018, and simultaneously as the Director of the Office of Community Wealth Building. He will permanently assume the position of Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) on Monday, November 26, 2018.
The DCAO of Human Services is responsible for the proper administration of government with a portfolio including direct oversight over the Departments of Social Services, Justice Services and Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. DCAO Gordon will also serve as the liaison to the quasi-independent and state agencies including the Richmond City Health District, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority and the Richmond Public Library.
“Reggie’s extensive background in human services and numerous successes in community wealth building and related initiatives serving our citizens makes him the clear choice to serve as Richmond’s DCAO for Human Services,” said Mayor Stoney. “I am excited to work even more closely with him now in the ongoing pursuit to build ‘One Richmond.’”
Mr. Gordon’s portfolio also includes two of the city’s most critical programs, the Office of Aging and Persons with Disabilities and Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“I am honored to be entrusted with these new and vital responsibilities,” said Mr. Gordon. “The mayor and chief administrative officer (CAO) have impressed upon me now is not the time for business as usual in the City of Richmond, and I am ready to advance the initiatives designed to create positive and transformative outcomes for children, single adults and families in our city. We will find new and creative ways to achieve equitable and life affirming outcomes for all our citizens, and I thank the mayor and CAO for this opportunity.”
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham to Retire
Retirement at year’s end caps 31 years of distinguished service in law enforcement, four years as Chief of RPD
After more than 31 years of distinguished public service in law enforcement, Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham today announced his intention to retire from his job as Chief of Police, effective December 31, 2018.
The chief’s retirement will conclude nearly four years of service to the City of Richmond as police chief, and caps a law enforcement career that began in 1987 with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, following four years of active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps.
“Public service is, and has been, my life,” said Chief Durham, 55. “It has been my highest privilege to serve the men and women of this department and the citizens of this great city. I would like to thank Mayor Stoney for believing in me and for his unwavering support in allowing me the opportunity to strengthen the department and its bonds to the community. It has been both an incredibly challenging and rewarding career for me.”
Chief Durham said he is retiring at a time when the department has received national recognition as a law enforcement agency and has “a great team of employees who are doing remarkable work each and every day.
“Knowing that the department is in a better place than when I assumed command in 2015, I feel that now is the ideal time for me to focus on my personal life and to begin spending quality time with my family,” he said.
Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who retained Chief Durham as Chief of Police after taking office in January 2017, thanked him for his years of service to the Richmond community. “Chief Durham deserves our deepest respect and sincere appreciation for his tireless commitment to our city,” he said.
“He has always been a 24-7 chief,” Mayor Stoney continued. “Whether at a community meeting or crime scene, a street festival or a street protest, day or night, the residents of this city could always count on him to be there. Chief Durham gave blood, sweat and tears to this department, and Richmond is a better place because of his service. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”
During Chief Durham’s tenure, the Richmond Police Department expanded its complement of sworn officers to its prescribed strength, a move that enabled the department to assign dedicated officers to the city’s public housing courts, improving safety and security in those areas. The department also modernized its equipment and deployed technology such as body worn cameras, security cameras and laptop computers to police personnel. The department has also been recognized, and consulted by other law enforcement agencies, for its handling of public demonstrations.
“Knowing that the department is in a better place than when I assumed command in 2015, I feel that now is the ideal time for me to focus on my personal life and to begin spending quality time with my family,” he said.
Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who retained Chief Durham as Chief of Police after taking office in January 2017, thanked him for his years of service to the Richmond community. “Chief Durham deserves our deepest respect and sincere appreciation for his tireless commitment to our city,” he said.
“He has always been a 24-7 chief,” Mayor Stoney continued. “Whether at a community meeting or crime scene, a street festival or a street protest, day or night, the residents of this city could always count on him to be there. Chief Durham gave blood, sweat and tears to this department, and Richmond is a better place because of his service. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”
During Chief Durham’s tenure, the Richmond Police Department expanded its complement of sworn officers to its prescribed strength, a move that enabled the department to assign dedicated officers to the city’s public housing courts, improving safety and security in those areas. The department also modernized its equipment and deployed technology such as body worn cameras, security cameras and laptop computers to police personnel. The department has also been recognized, and consulted by other law enforcement agencies, for its handling of public demonstrations.
Most recently, the work of the department’s homicide unit was recognized in an article in the Washington Post for the having the highest homicide case closure rate in the nation over the last 10 years. (Click Here)
As of Nov. 13, the city is experiencing a 21 percent decrease in homicides and a nine percent reduction in violent crime.
Chief Durham will serve in his full capacity as chief through the end of the year. The city will conduct a national search for a new chief. In the coming weeks, Mayor Stoney will appoint an interim chief who will assume command of the department following Chief Durham’s departure until a permanent replacement has been selected.
As of Nov. 13, the city is experiencing a 21 percent decrease in homicides and a nine percent reduction in violent crime.
Chief Durham will serve in his full capacity as chief through the end of the year. The city will conduct a national search for a new chief. In the coming weeks, Mayor Stoney will appoint an interim chief who will assume command of the department following Chief Durham’s departure until a permanent replacement has been selected.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Mayor Announces Agreement in Principle on North of Broad Development
Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced that the City of Richmond has reached an agreement, in principle, with the nonprofit NH District Corporation for the development of the Navy Hill neighborhood north of Broad Street. Pending final negotiation and satisfactory resolution of several outstanding details, the administration will submit ordinances to the Richmond City Council in the coming weeks for consideration and public deliberation.
The independent, third-party analysis of the proposed North of Broad project by Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc. can be found here - https://bit.ly/2SIXH52
Below
are Mayor Stoney’s remarks from earlier today:
North of Broad Project Announcement
Remarks (As Prepared for Delivery) by Mayor Levar M. Stoney
November 1, 2018
Good
afternoon.
Thank
you for coming.
Almost
one year ago, I stood on the Observation Deck of City Hall to announce our
plans to seek proposals to redevelop a forgotten neighborhood, and to
revitalize underutilized city assets in the middle of our downtown, just north
of Broad Street. The bold goals for this proposal were nothing less than to significantly improve the quality of life
for all of Richmond’s residents.
This is why I insisted, from the very
beginning, that any proposal include the creation of jobs and the hiring of
local minority businesses.
That is why I insisted that any development
include a significant number of affordable housing units.
That is why I insisted on a permanent
replacement for the temporary GRTC transfer station, so that our hard-working
residents can have a measure of comfort and dignity on their daily commutes to
and from work.
We required that any plan include the historic
preservation and adaptive reuse of the Blues Armory.
And we imposed one additional, very important
condition on the RFP:
That we would not endorse any proposal that
would require the city to use its existing tax revenue or debt capacity to fund
the project.
And we would not support issuing any bonds
that would require the City’s moral or general obligation to fund any component
of the proposal. Meaning, we would not put the city’s solid financial footing
at risk, or compromise its ability to finance its priorities of the future.
Ladies and gentlemen, today, I am pleased to
announce that after eight months of hard work and very tough negotiation, I
believe we have achieved agreement in principle on all of those goals.
And Richmond is one very large step closer to
transforming not only its downtown, but the future of neighborhoods, schools
and services throughout our city.
I will get into some of the specifics in a
moment, but I called you here today to let you know that if we are able to
successfully resolve several outstanding details in the coming weeks, my
administration will be submitting ordinances to City Council representing an
agreement with the nonprofit NH District Corporation to redevelop the Navy Hill
neighborhood north of Broad Street.
If approved by the Council, this will easily
be the largest economic development project in the history of our city.
But more importantly it will be the largest
economic empowerment project in our
city’s history – one that is driven by our values -- and puts Richmonders
first.
In the spirit of One Richmond – that is,
creating a city that works for, and benefits, ALL of us…
With this project:
- We will create 21,000 jobs -- including more than 9,000
permanent jobs and workforce training opportunities. Less than a mile away
in Gilpin Court, 75 percent of our residents live in poverty. This project
will offer economic opportunity to thousands of men and women who just
need a helping hand.
- This project will include more than $300 million in
contracts for minority businesses – this will ensure that our talented
minority contractors are in the game and NOT sitting on the sidelines.
- We will build nearly 680 units of affordable housing –
a substantial down payment on our goal of building 1,500 affordable units
by 2023. We want those who work in this neighborhood to be able to live in
it as well.
- We will build a new GRTC transit center here in the
heart of downtown, so that residents across our city can have a facility
that offers shelter and dignity to our hardworking men and women who rely
on public transit.
- We will preserve and restore the historic Blues Armory
- bringing it back to life as a centerpiece of this newly revitalized
neighborhood.
- And we will reconnect our street grid and raise Leigh
Street so that we can create a true walkable and vibrant neighborhood that
links to a resurgent Jackson Ward.
Employers and those in
Richmond’s tourism industry have long said that
we need an additional convention center hotel that could expand the city’s
lodging capacity and allow it to compete with other cities for conventions and
events, estimating that we have lost more than 31,000 lodging nights over the
last five years to other cities with more capacity.
So this project will include an upscale
500-room hotel, with event space, retail and commercial opportunities.
They also said we needed a replacement for the
decrepit, 46-year-old Richmond Coliseum, which is costing us more than $1.5
million every year to keep open and whose maintenance needs threaten to eat
into our limited debt capacity.
So this project includes a state-of-the-art
arena that will be the largest in Virginia – an asset that will allow us to
compete not just with Charlottesville and Norfolk, but with the Charlottes and
Nashvilles for major events and the revenues they bring.
I know Richmond is every bit the equal of
these places.
*
For years now, achieving these goals – jobs,
housing, neighborhood revitalization and economic empowerment – has been
elusive.
We all know the problem – our city has many
pressing needs, and we do not have the resources to meet these needs.
We know the state has shortchanged Richmond Public
Schools in education funding.
And that same state government, which we are
home to as a capital city, has many lovely buildings that occupy a substantial
portion of our downtown – and don’t pay taxes.
We can – and we are – demanding more.
But until that happens, we can’t burden our
homeowners and residents with more taxes and higher costs.
And we can’t cut our way to funding our
schools, fixing our streets and delivering the level of services our residents
and families deserve.
I was elected Mayor on the belief of what
Richmond can do, of what it can become.
And today is about what Richmond can do.
With this project, we will leverage private
investment and underutilized city assets in our downtown, to maximize growth
that will benefit everyone in our city. This project represents a $1.4 billion
investment that does not raise taxes and does not incur financial risk to the
city.
It will generate an additional $1 billion in additional tax revenue over the next 30
years.
And we will use that additional revenue to
finance the needs of our neighborhoods – for better schools, for better streets
and for better core services.
Simply put, this is a game changer.
*
This is not a project into which we enter
lightly. And frankly, the final agreement that we hope to present to Council in
the coming weeks is very different from the proposal that was submitted to us
in January.
As you know, my CAO Selena Cuffee-Glenn, our
city attorney’s office and top city staff from multiple departments worked with
our financial advisors, Davenport and Company, to review and negotiate the
proposal.
And as you also know, I said publicly, (and we
said privately in negotiations), that the proposal as initially presented to us
on issues such as affordable housing and minority business contracting did not
go far enough. We were not going to move forward without substantial changes in
these and other aspects of the proposal.
As it stands, the $300 million worth of
opportunity to our minority businesses in the agreement represents more economic
opportunity than we have been able to create in the last ten years combined as
a city for our minority businesses.
The 680 affordable housing units will also
represent one of the greatest expansions of affordable housing in our history.
To ensure we were doing everything correctly,
to make sure the numbers that we came up with were indeed, numbers that would
work for the city, we added another layer of due diligence.
We directed Davenport & Company, our
financial advisors, to hire an outside third party to review the projections
and details of the proposal, including the Tax Increment Finance district that
we propose to use to finance the city owned assets that are part of the
project.
The independent analysis by Hunden Strategic
Partners, which we will provide to you tomorrow, not only confirmed our own
analysis, but forecasts greater revenue projections.
In fact, based on the analysis of our third
party, we believe that this project could provide our city with over $1.7 billion of revenue over 30 years.
This far exceeds the revenue that would be
generated if we did nothing.
Ladies and Gentleman, there is a cost for
doing nothing.
And just to be clear, tax revenue from the
proposed TIF will ONLY go toward paying the debt on the Blues Armory, the
Arena, and bringing Leigh Street up to grade. The developers and bond holders
will shoulder 100 % of the risk for this project.
*
I believe that every Richmonder, every
neighborhood, should share in our prosperity. Not just old Richmond, but new
Richmond, in all its diversity and emerging talent.
For me this is not about a new coliseum. This
is about what this project allows us to do. If we do nothing we do not create
over 20,000 jobs. If we do nothing we will not build nearly 700 new affordable
homes. If we do nothing we will not generate a billion dollars in revenue that
can be used to make critical investments in our neighborhoods – our schools,
our streets and our services.
We must grow the pie so that everyone gets a
piece. Either we take the steps and the unique opportunity we have now with
this project to make a transformative difference in the lives of our residents,
or we do nothing -- and keep waiting and hoping for all this to happen, without
the additional investment needed to make it happen.
*
I am so proud of the work of many people
throughout the city who have helped us reach this point today – it is truly a
partnership between the public, non-profit and private sectors working
together.
And while the work is not yet done, I would be
remiss if I did not recognize the determination, focus and diligence of my
team, led by Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee Glenn and her
directors, City Attorney Allen Jackson and his team, Matt Welch from economic
development and David Rose, Roland Kooch and Jimmy Sanderson from Davenport.
This project simply would not be possible
without the dedication and engagement of our business community. I’d like to
recognize, and thank Tom Farrell, CT Hill and the board of NH for forming this
nonprofit entity to submit this proposal, and acknowledge Union Bank CEO John
Asbury for his institution’s substantial commitment to this transformational
project.
These leaders have not only have invested in
Richmond, but they also share a love for this city. They understand its many
needs. And they believe, like we all do, in Richmond’s potential for greatness,
and for that, I thank you.
We also would not have reached today without
the support of one of our leading non-profit organizations in the city, The
Community Foundation.
The Community Foundation recognized the
transformative nature of this project and has committed $5 million dollars to
the affordable housing component of the work.
Thank you, Sherrie Brach Armstrong, for the
amazing way The Community Foundation is partnering with us on this.
I’d also like to recognize and thank Greta
Harris with the Better Housing Coalition for being here today and for your
commitment and partnership in the affordable housing component of this project.
*
Ladies and gentlemen, this is an important day
for our city. It is an opportunity.
The cynics out there will point to all the
things we can’t do. They will point to projects in the past that were either
ill-conceived, or poorly timed or poorly executed, that never lived up to their
potential, and some of that is true.
But this is the wrong way to think about our
future. This is an old Richmond way of thinking --that Richmond shouldn’t try
to do great things today; that she can’t do great things tomorrow.
Well, we can, and we will.
This city has grown. I am standing here before
you as proof that the Richmond of yesterday is not the Richmond of today, or
more importantly of tomorrow.
We are changing. We are making progress. And
now is not the time not to let our past fears define our future opportunities.
I encourage City Council to take the time it
needs to review this agreement once it is submitted, and I encourage the public
to ask questions of the developer and of my administration. Everyone will have
the chance to kick the tires, as we have. I am excited about embarking on this
process, and what we can accomplish for our city together.
This is a game changer.
This is our time. This is our chance to pass
on prosperity to everyone in our city, and to secure a better future for our children.
Let’s make it happen.
Thank you.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Mayor Stoney Launches Richmond Census 2020 Complete Count Committee
Today, Mayor Levar M. Stoney launched Richmond’s Census 2020 Complete Count Committee. The Committee has been established to ensure that no citizen in the City of Richmond goes uncounted.
“For each person uncounted, the city and organizations miss out on $2,000 worth of funding each year until the next census,” said Mayor Stoney. “That’s $20,000 for each uncounted person over a ten-year span. Our team will use its networks and expertise to make sure we reach every square foot of Richmond.”
The Mayor also stressed the values of being counted and encouraged every Richmonder to participate. The Complete Count Committee will keep residents informed and ensure the most robust representation of our city in the 2020 Census.
For more information please contact Chelsi Bennett, J.D., Chair, Complete Count Committee at Chelsi.Bennett@Richmondgov.com or (804) 646-7978. You can also visit: RVACounts2020.com and follow us on social media @RVACounts2020.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Mayor Stoney Announces the City of Richmond has the Highest Municipal Equality Index Score in Virginia
Mayor Stoney is proud to announce that the City of Richmond received the highest Municipal Equality Index scorecard in the Commonwealth of Virginia as determined by the Human Rights Campaign. Out of the 11 municipalities scored in Virginia, Richmond received a 94. Out of the 506 municipalities scored in 2018, the City of Richmond experienced the most significant score increase nationwide.
Richmond was named a “MEI All-Star” and spotlighted as a “city boldly leading the way to equality” in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2018 MEI report.
“I am thrilled that Richmond has taken so many positive steps to protect and support our LGBTQ community,” said Mayor Stoney. “I have always said that no matter the color of your skin, the neighborhood you live in, or who you love, that you are welcome in the City of Richmond – and Richmond’s 2018 MEI scorecard echoes that message.”
Each year the Human Rights Campaign rates cities across the United States based on their initiatives to support LGBTQ communities. This process is called their Municipal Equality Index (MEI) scorecard where cities are scored from 0-100 on items such as non-discrimination laws, transgender-inclusive health benefits for city employees, inclusive workplaces, and LGBTQ liaisons in the city’s executive office, to name a few.
In 2017, Richmond received a 42 on the MEI scorecard. By working with City Council to establish a Human Rights Commission and non-discrimination laws, designating a policy advisor to serve as the Mayor’s LGBTQ liaison, and offering transgender-inclusive health benefits for city employees, Richmond was able to increase its score by 52 points since 2017.
Richmond’s score increase is celebrated by state groups such as Equality Virginia, a non-profit that advocates for equality for LGBTQ Virginians, and Virginia Pride, an organization that provides support and resources for the LGBTQ community.
“The work for full lived equality begins in our local communities,” said James Parrish, Executive Director of Equality Virginia. “Equality Virginia applauds the efforts of Mayor Stoney and the Richmond City Council towards creating a city where gay and transgender people can live, work, and play free from discrimination. To see Richmond’s MEI score double in one year shows just how seriously Mayor Stoney values creating an inclusive city.”
“The work that Mayor Stoney’s Administration has done to make Richmond a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ community members to live, work, and visit is incredible,” said James Millner, President of Virginia Pride. “Mayor Stoney campaigned on making Richmond a more inclusive city that celebrates its diversity and he has kept his promise.”
“I am delighted that Richmond is able to progress at this level,” said Mayor Stoney. “However, we would not have been able to make it this far without the help of officials, such as Councilmembers Parker Agelasto and Ellen Robertson, who were key in moving Richmond’s Human Rights Commission and non-discrimination laws forward in the city council.”
Fortune 500 companies look to the Human Rights Campaign report as a guide to where they may relocate as they need cities that reflects their values.
Local organizations have also demonstrated support of Richmond’s efforts to protect the LGBTQ community.
“Richmond is leading the way on a national level,” said Bill Harrison, Executive Director of Diversity Richmond, an organization dedicated to being a voice and resource for LGBTQ Richmonders. “Mayor Stoney is building bridges to make Richmond a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous city.”
“We are grateful for Mayor Stoney’s leadership to make Richmond a more inclusive place,” said Katherine O’Donnell, Richmond Region Tourism Executive Vice President. “Celebrating diversity and equality is important for Richmonders, as well as visitors. With tourism in our region continuing to grow, the Human Rights Campaign’s latest index score is a reminder to LGBTQ+ travelers that Richmond is welcoming, friendly and open to all.”
Mayor Stoney said that the news should be celebrated by the entire city.
“We have come a long way over the past two years, and will continue our great work to make Richmond more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming.”
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