On April 23, Mayor Dwight C. Jones and City Officials held the first press briefing concerning preparations for the 2015 UCI Road World Cycling Championships. The Championships will take place in September. Click here for the presentation.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Richmond 2015 officials marked a historic occasion today when they announced that the 2015 UCI Road World Cycling Championships has become the first Road World Cycling Championships to receive the official UCI reCycling eco-label. Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) created the reCycling program to help its members organize more environmentally responsible cycling events by addressing practices in transportation, energy and water conservation, recycling and waste management, accommodations, catering, and supplies. UCI awards the eco-label to cycling events that have submitted an Environmental Management Plan documenting intended actions that meet the reCycling criteria. “We’re very grateful to Mayor Jones for his leadership and to Alicia Zatcoff, the City of Richmond Sustainability Manager, for her hard work and commitment in obtaining the reCycling eco-label for the 2015 Championships,” said Wilson Flohr, Chief Executive Officer, Richmond 2015, Inc. “The...

For the first time in several decades, East Grace Street between North 4th and North 9th Streets will open to two-way traffic. Currently vehicles only move westbound. The conversion will permit cars to travel eastbound as well. Converting this five block area of East Grace Street is included in the 2009 Downtown Plan and is, in part, being implemented to help attract more businesses to downtown and make it easier for motorists to travel in the area. In addition, the change will provide a direct connection to the Capitol Square and reconnect it to the balance of the central business district, like many other streets in the vicinity. “City officials have long discussed ways to enhance East Grace Street in an attempt to restore it to its former splendor,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “This improvement is one important step in that direction.” The City predicts there will be prime opportunities for economic growth along the corridor, evidenced by renewed interest fro...

Beginning Saturday, April 18, 2015, the Water Distribution section of the city of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will begin an extensive project to replace and upgrade failing water valves at several intersections in downtown Richmond.  Preliminary project work involves digging to uncover the water valves and will begin Sat. April 18, 2015.  The following are the locations and work days and times that work will be performed.  During valve work, intersections may be closed. Water valves allow DPU to control and isolate water flow during emergencies. For specific utility related street closures and updates, follow DPU on Twitter @UtilityBuddy. Location Work Date & Time Impact Customer Intersection of 3 rd & Main Streets Replacing water valve Sat. April 18, 2015 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. 3 rd St closed between Main & Frank...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced the appointment of Selena Cuffee-Glenn as the City’s Chief Administrative Officer. When naming Cuffee-Glenn, Mayor Jones acknowledged her ties to the Richmond community and her wealth of experience, most recently as the City of Suffolk’s City Manager. “I’m excited to bring Selena back to Richmond because she possesses the professional management and administrative skills we need right now,” said Jones. “Like most cities and most governments, we have too many needs and not enough money to meet them all. I’m not interested in raising taxes, or cutting back on the services our residents expect and deserve, so this means we have to be wise with our resources and we have to operate more efficiently and effectively. We have to make Richmond an easier place to do business with; a place that gets things done. I believe Selena can help strengthen and improve upon our operations.” In the past, Cuffee-Glenn worked in planning and c...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following comment today regarding the ongoing consideration of the proposed Biennial Fiscal Plan for FY2016 and FY2017, as well as the five-year Capital Improvement Plan through 2020: “As this discussion moves forward, I want to reiterate what I have proposed in my budget plan with respect to schools: “Key specifics include:  $13.1 million in School Maintenance funding (representing a 162% increase, and part of a $22.8 million five-year package). Proposing the implementation of a performance contracting program, giving RPS the capability to increase their total resources by as much as another $20 million. $136.9 million in local funding to Richmond Public Schools to meet existing operating budget revenue needs. $425,000 to launch a network of “Future Centers” to prepare for the launch of a Richmond Promise Scholarship program to benefit graduates of Richmond Public Schools. $18.3 million in capital funding for a new Dove elementary school to ...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Sports Backers Executive Director Jon Lugbill were joined by City Council member Parker Agelasto and Richmond City Health District Deputy Director Dr. Danny Avula today in announcing a new course for the third annual RVA Streets Alive! festival on Saturday, June 20. RVA Streets Alive! will take place in Byrd Park and encompass the areas between Fountain Lake and Swan Lake. The event will close Boat Lake Drive, Swan Lake Drive, Lake Road, and Amelia Street between Shields Lake and Swan Lake from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow residents and visitors to use these streets to be active through running, walking, biking, and many other physical activities. Vendors will be on site offering health and fitness information and interactive demonstrations. “I am pleased that through the City’s Healthy Richmond Campaign, we continue to partner in presenting RVA Streets Alive! to encourage healthy and active lifestyles,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “This year’s even...