Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced the appointment of Richmond Police Department Deputy Chief Alfred Durham as the next Chief of Police. When naming Alfred Durham, Mayor Jones acknowledged the wealth of experience at senior levels in Richmond’s police department, and the department’s success with community policing. “When Chief Ray Tarasovic told me last fall that he wanted to retire, I decided then that I wanted the next Chief to continue two hallmarks of his tenure. First, I expect crime rates to stay low and I expect a continued commitment to community policing,” said Mayor Jones. “We’ve had five straight years of violent crime reduction, with rates the lowest in the 40 years I’ve been in Richmond, and that’s helping to fuel the Richmond Resurgence.” Mayor Jones noted that Alfred Durham brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously worked in Richmond serving on former Chief Rodney Monroe’s leadership team. Durham worked in Richmond from 2005 to 2007. He is a g...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones State of the City Address Thursday, January 29, 2015 Click here to view the 2015 State of the City Address. Click here to view the 2015 State of the City Address Accomplishments video. Remarks as prepared for delivery Hello Richmond…I'm so excited that you are here tonight so we can talk about our city.   The World Championships of cycling, back in the US for the first time in 30 years.   This beautiful high school--the first new one in 40 years.   The country's coolest craft brewery, coming to Richmond and bringing people and jobs to Fulton.   We're finally building an expanded public transportation system, with Bus Rapid Transit, and not just dreaming and hoping.   Look around, and you know the list goes on and on. You don't need me to say it, but I will anyway…   My friends, the state of this city is Resurgent… and for the first time in my lifetime, we all know that Richmond's best days are ahead of us! ...

~ Funding will facilitate alley collection in some areas ~ Following a rigorous process involving municipalities throughout the southeast, Richmond has been selected as one of four cities to partner with Curbside Value Partnership (CVP) during a first of its kind private/public recycling agreement, called CVP’s The Recycling Partnership. The program will help the City move forward with plans to collect recycling in alleys in neighborhoods where trash is picked up in alleys. Currently recycling is limited to curbside pick-up. Under the terms of the Richmond agreement, the City will receive nearly $560,000. Of that amount, $350,000 will be used to purchase the 95-gallon recycling carts, each equipped with a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag tracking mechanism; another $210,000 will go toward an expanded community outreach/education campaign and the implementation of a six month phase-in program to begin alley collection at approximately 6,000 homes. The plan is to expa...

Today, Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement during a joint press conference held with Richmond Police Chief Ray Tarasovic: “I’m here to announce the decision of Ray Tarasovic to step down as police chief for the City of Richmond. Ray plans to return to a life of retirement and will officially leave the post as of February 20th. “Chief Tarasovic and I have been in discussion for some months now about his plans. When Ray joined the City of Richmond in February of 2013, he allowed me to draw him out of what was a fifth retirement when he agreed to serve the citizens of Richmond again.  It was clear at the onset that he was here to fill a gap in leadership in our police department and that he was willing to do so for as long as necessary during my tenure. “Ray has been an excellent police chief. I’ve appreciated all of the energy and effort that he has put into the job. He has worked with a real heart for the community of Richmond and the public that he serves and love...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement today on the outcome of the City Council President and Vice President elections. “I offer my congratulations to the new Richmond City Council President Michelle R. Mosby.  As the first African-American woman to be chosen to lead Council as well as one of the few women to ascend to the position, this is a truly historic and notable accomplishment.  I also offer congratulations to the new Richmond City Council Vice President Chris Hilbert. “Our city has made significant steps forward and experienced tremendous progress over the past six years, to include today’s opening of the first high school built in Richmond in more than 40 years. As we enter 2015, Richmond is poised for many more great things to include the UCI Road World Cycling Championships in September! I look forward to working with the City Council president, vice president and entire council as we continue to move Richmond forward together. “Additionally, I would ...

~ Richmond opens first new high school in 40 years ~ A grand opening ceremony took place at the new Huguenot High School this morning as students officially began attending classes at the first new high school to be built in the City of Richmond in 40 years. Mayor Dwight C. Jones marked the occasion by cutting a ribbon with Huguenot High School students and by participating in an official program with 4th District City Councilwoman Kathy Graziano, 4th District School Board Member Kristen Larson, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden, and Huguenot High School Principal Jafar Barakat. The occasion was also marked by the launch of a time capsule project called Hugh-E – a digital time capsule designed to capture the current student lifestyle as the new school opens. Hugh-E will be the current student body’s way of showing future students what life was like in 2015. Students were invited to submit photos, videos, music or any other digital submission that represents th...

~Major detours will be in place during construction~ Beginning the first week of January, the City will begin replacing the 5th Street Bridge over Leigh Street and 7th Street Bridge over Leigh Street.  Motorists and pedestrians who travel the area will be affected.  While the bridges remain safe, the weight load for each bridge was reduced several years ago due to on-going wear. The $3.6 million dollar project is being funded through City and state funds.  The contract has been awarded to Corman Construction. The work will take place in two phases from January 5 through August.The following changes will be in place during construction: Phase 1: 7th Street Bridge over Leigh Street (January 5 to mid-May) 7th Street will be closed at Clay Street to through traffic. Clay Street between 7th Street and 8th Street will be a detour route. No on-street parking will be permitted from January thru May. 8th Street between Clay Street and Leigh Street will be a detour route. No on...