City of Richmond offices, facilities to begin Phase Two operations Monday, June 15

On Monday, June 15, the City of Richmond government facilities and offices will enter Phase Two of the city’s operating plan.

The City of Richmond workforce has been operative throughout the State of Emergency, providing essential services to residents and businesses despite the public health crisis. Phase One largely entailed the phasing in of limited in-person services in key city facilities. In Phase Two, the city will increase capacity for in-person services and open certain public amenities.

The city continues to urge residents to use available e-services. For questions about available city services, view this updated list.

First floor public access for walk-in services is provided in the following buildings for in-person payments:

City Hall; and
East District Center.

Please note that not all departments or agencies in each building will be open for walk-in services. For departmental specifics, visit this updated list.

The following city facilities will be open to the public by appointment only, access only by security in each location:

City Hall (with the exception of the Richmond Registrar’s Office and certain other first floor services);
730 East Broad Street;
Animal Care and Control;
Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities administrative building;
DPU plants and external campus;
DPW external campus; and
Richmond Police, Fire, and Emergency Communications headquarters.

Please note that not all departments or agencies in each building will be open to the public. For departmental specifics, visit this updated list.

To schedule appointments, residents should reference the city website or this list of city services available at this time.

Building security will assist customers on the first floor of facilities to maintain social distancing while receiving city services. The first floor of City Hall has a strict capacity limit of 45 to 50 people. Building security will allow entry to public areas based upon the number of persons seeking services.

As a result of capacity limitations, some customers may be asked to wait outside of city facilities until sufficient space is available. City staff will do everything possible to expedite potential wait times and appreciates the public’s patience at this time.

Face-coverings are required in all local government buildings and when interacting with government employees, as ordered by Governor Northam.

A limited number of face-coverings will be available in city hall for customers who do not have them, as supplies allow. It is strongly recommended that members of the public bring their own face coverings. Scarves, bandanas, handkerchiefs are all acceptable face coverings as long as the garment covers the mouth and nose.

Residents are encouraged to conduct business with the city electronically whenever possible.

City facilities and offices will be open to all employees, though capacity will be reduced to allow for adequate social distancing. City operational plans provide for staffing levels to meet anticipated demands for in person services.

As a reminder, the Office of the Richmond General Registrar is open to the public for candidate filing, absentee balloting and voting related matters. Appointments are not required but are encouraged for matters other than in-person absentee voting, as only two people will be allowed in Room 105 at a time. Access to the Office of the General Registrar in Room 105 will be through the Ninth Street entrance only. Access to in-person absentee voting will be through the Broad Street entrance only, except on the last day to vote absentee in person, June 20, when access will be limited to the Ninth Street entrance.

The Department of Social Services will remain closed to the public. Clients should reference this documentto learn how to best access services and apply for benefits.

The following is a list of changes from Phase One operating procedure that will go into effect June 15:

Richmond Public Library is offering contactless pickup of holds and requests. Contactless pickups are available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Patrons may return items to the outdoor book drops.

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will begin a gradual reopening of tennis courts, basketball courts and public restrooms in public parks starting Friday, June 12 with the expectation of having all amenities available for use by Friday, June 19.

Starting Monday, June 15:

Rentals of picnic shelters will resume. Groups should be limited to 50% occupancy of the shelter space or 50 people, whichever is less.
Rentals of athletic fields for practice only. Interested groups will need to submit a plan of action to the department on how they intend to mitigate exposure, maintain at least ten feet between participants and instructors, and keep groups to 50 persons or less.
Limited parking will be available at Pony Pasture and Ancarrow’s Landing.
Parking lots at Texas Beach, Tredegar Green, 22^nd Street, and 42^nd Street will be open for use.
Entrance to the James River Park System at 21^st Street will reopen.
BMX Bike Trail at Gillies Creek Park will be open for use.
Tennis courts and pickleball courts will be open for use.
Playgrounds will be open for use.
Dog parks will be open for use.
Manchester Climbing Wall will be open for use.
Skate parks will be open for use.
Outdoor basketball courts will have the hoops reinstalled over the next two weeks.
Limited restrooms will be available.

Please note that all parks remain open for recreational use. Social distancing in parks is required, and face-coverings are recommended in busier spaces where consistent social distancing is challenging.

The Department of Public Works will resume street cleaning services in the city’s residential areas starting June 22. Click here for a link to the street cleaning schedule.

As of June 8, the Department of Public Works resumed residential parking district enforcement in the Fan, Carver, Randolph and South Mulberry Parking Districts.

For a list of available city services, click here.