Learn more about applying here T oday, neighborhood and community organizations from across Richmond can apply for a grant from the city to continue or expand capacity for emergency childcare and facilitated learning centers.   On Wednesday, September 16, Mayor Stoney announced that he would reserve $1 million in CARES Act funding to support trusted providers from around the city. Providers will be able to use the funds to continue to provide care more safely or expand the number of slots available in their programs.    “These neighborhood-based organizations are trusted voices in the community with a track record of caring for our kids,” said Mayor Stoney. “This funding should allow them to continue and expand that care now that working caregivers need it more than ever.”   The application background information and materials are available on RVAStrong here.    To prioritize the health and safety of children throughout the city, applicants are asked to pro...

  Application for poet laureate position open now The City of Richmond has launched the Richmond Poet Laureate Program to highlight gifted artists in Richmond and use the literary arts to provide support in an unprecedentedly challenging time.   With the freedom to develop their own projects during their term, the Poet Laureate’s main task will be to promote poetry. This will include interfacing with residents already interested in poetry and serving as a literary arts liaison to communities less familiar with the medium.   The Richmond Poet Laureate will serve as a literary leader and voice for the city for a two-year term. The first term will last from January 2021 to December 2023.   Applicants must have been a resident of Richmond or surrounding counties for the last five years and be at least 21 years of age. Lack of traditional publication credentials should not dissuade interested applicants. During the selection process, weight will be given to the applicant’...

Using updated but still unaudited figures, the City of Richmond administration is now estimating a calculated net surplus of $13.75 million at the close of FY2020.  This surplus constitutes approximately two percent of the general fund budget, illustrating successful cost-saving measures and conservative revenue forecasting in the early stages of the pandemic. As required by Ordinance 2017-215, the Department of Finance has prepared a summary of the city’s estimated general fund balance as of June 30, 2020 for City Council. That report indicates that the calculated surplus, above and beyond such required reserves as the unspent meals taxes for school facilities and the encumbrance roll forward, is estimated at $13.75 million.  “Our financial reporting continues to indicate that the city has weathered the economic impacts of this pandemic locally,” said Mayor Stoney. “This surplus is derived from fiscal responsibility and prudent management of our taxpayers’ dollars.” The city’...

  Standing outside the Powhatan Community Center on the 4B GRTC bus line, Mayor Stoney announced that the city has launched a first-of-its-kind Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility.   Housed in the Department of Public Works, the office will design and implement a vision for a connected, safe and equitable transit and mobility infrastructure.   “The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility will tackle the big and small issues that affect the bus commutes, walks and bike rides of our multimodal residents,” said Mayor Stoney. “This work is vital to building a connected city.”   The office’s portfolio will include: Extending universal free bus fares, a measure with the full backing of Mayor Stoney; Enhancing Richmond’s Complete Streets approach; Designing a mobility action plan; Expanding Vision Zero work; Liaising with the Central Virginia Transportation Authority; Evaluating and developing the city’s bus and paratransit system; and Connecting existing walkways, bi...

At the September 14 meeting of Richmond City Council, the Stoney administration will introduce an ordinance extending the eligibility deadline for the 2020 Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled program to October 30.   If the Richmond City Council passes the administration’s ordinance at their meeting on September 28, then Richmond’s seniors and people living with disabilities will have more time to qualify for much-needed support.     In 2020, program eligibility was expanded to include property owners with annual incomes between $50,001 and $60,000. Maximum net worth for eligible applicants was also increased to $350,000.     Visit the Department of Finance page on RVA.gov   to see if you or someone you know may qualify for this program. ##

36-acre commitment aims to make parks access more equitable At a press conference near Broad Rock Creek, Mayor Stoney announced that his administration has identified five unused parcels of city land that will be converted into public green spaces.   The spaces are as listed below: 1.          Broad Rock Creek Parcels:              S0080418002, S0080276004 (Windsor Neighborhood) 2.          Hioaks Water Tower Parcel:         C0050879024 (Hioaks) 3.          Rear Ernest Road Parcel:                S0090417036 (Ampthill Heights) 4.          Reedy Creek Wetland Parcel:        C0050992011 (Beaufont) 5.          Rosemo...