On Wednesday morning, May 13, prior to rush hour, 5th Street Bridge over Leigh Street will close to vehicular and pedestrian traffic to allow for bridge replacement.  Construction is expected to end in mid-August. The following changes will be in place during construction: 5th Street will be closed at Jackson Street to through traffic.  Traffic will be detoured to 3rd Street; south on 3rd Street to Marshall Street, east on Marshall Street to 5th Street Leigh Street will remain closed to vehicles, pedestrians and parking between 4th Street and 8th Street.  No on-street parking will be permitted. Motorists are encouraged to adhere to all detour and parking signage posted in the construction area. Meantime, work is continuing to replace the 7th Street Bridge, which has been closed since January. The bridge is expected to re-open in mid-June. The $3.6 million dollar project is being funded through City and state funds.  The contract has been awarded to Corman Cons...

The City’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor (N2N) initiative is partnering with the U.S Army Base at Fort Lee, Virginia to perform service projects in the City of Richmond. Ft. Lee has agreed to provide approximately 40 warriors (soldiers in training) once per month to serve in Richmond. The first project will begin on Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to noon, with soldiers completing beautification efforts at two city locations, Lombardy and Park Avenue Triangle, and Petronius S. Jones Park. “This partnership provides a tremendous resource for civic engagements to help strengthen our city’s neighborhoods,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “Our nation’s military personnel stand ready to protect the freedoms we enjoy and I hope their willingness to volunteer inspires others to join in supporting their communities and neighbors with a commitment to service.” The Lombardy and Park Avenue Triangle project, 347 North Lombardy Street, includes the removal and installation of lumber borders, removal and ref...

The City of Richmond announced today that it is one of six localities participating in the statewide National Institute of Corrections’ (NIC) Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM) Phase V Initiative. The EBDM Initiative is the practice of using research findings to inform or guide decisions across the justice system. The NIC’s EBDM framework represents an evolution of today’s criminal justice system, designed to build collaborative, evidence-based decision making and practices in local criminal justice systems by equipping criminal justice policymakers with the information, processes, and tools to reduce pretrial misconduct and post-conviction reoffending.    “In Richmond, we have worked diligently to confront the ineffectiveness and inefficiencies of the old jail default model,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “This has resulted in a strong commitment to provide programs and interventions that are researched based and result driven.”   Through the EBDM Project, Richmond w...

The City’s Department of Public Works’ Fleet Management Division has received an honorable mention by The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas as one of the preeminent fleet operations in North and South America for 2015.  Of the more than 38,000 public fleets in North America alone, only 100 are selected annually for the Top 100 list, while operations in 25 additional cities, including Richmond, are given the distinction of honorable mention.  In addition, on July 17 Richmond will host the 100 Best Fleets Conference at the Virginia War Memorial.  Fleet managers from across the country will be in attendance.  "I'm pleased that our Fleet Management Division has been recognized in this way," said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. "City workers are often working with limited resources and dwindling budgets, and it is encouraging to see this division recognized for bringing a spirit of excellence to their responsibilities." The 100 Best Fleet winners, which were a...

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...