Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall today announced that Letitia Shelton has been selected to serve as Interim Director of Public Works and Robert Steidel has been selected to serve as Interim Director of Public Utilities. Shelton and Steidel will begin to serve in their interim positions on Saturday, July 31, 2010. For seven years, Steidel has served as the Deputy Director for the Department of Public Utilities. Prior to beginning city service, Steidel served as the Environmental Manager for the city of Hopewell’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. Steidel replaces Chris Beschler who served as Director of Public Utilities as well as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Operations. Beschler will continue to serve as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Operations, overseeing the Departments of Public Utilities and Public Works, the Richmond Animal Care and Control agency and the 3-1-1 Call Center. Shelton, a city employee for 12 years, most recently served as the ...

The city of Richmond’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor program is currently recruiting volunteers to conduct well-being checks on the city’s elderly and disabled population during periods of extreme temperatures and to assist the city in operating cooling shelters when the temperature reaches or exceeds the 95 degree mark. Persons interested in volunteering for these efforts should log onto www.richmondgov.com/NeighborToNeighbor or contact the Neighbor-to-Neighbor office at (804) 646-7491. Mayor Dwight C. Jones established the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Initiative to inspire residents, businesses and city employees to volunteer and develop a closer relationship with their neighbor, with an express focus to help the youth, elderly and disabled residents of the city of Richmond. If a resident is interested in volunteering for the positions detailed above or for a list of volunteer opportunities, please visit www.richmondgov.com/NeighborToNeighbor . # # #

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is beginning a Capital Improvement Project for corridor improvements on Broad Street from 5th Street to Adams Street. The initial work includes sidewalk replacement, adding tree wells, and planting trees. In addition, DPW will renovate and re-landscape medians and repair the existing irrigation system from 2nd Street to Adams Street. “This project is the second phase of a four phase program designed to turn Broad Street into one of the most pristine streets in the city leading into the heart of downtown. The City of Richmond is the region’s core and we are continuously working to Build a Better Richmond. Addressing the gateways and commercial corridors like Broad Street is important to that vision,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. The project will begin on the east bound lane beginning at 5th Street and moving toward 4th Street. Construction is scheduled to start Wednesday, July 21, 2010 and run through October 2010. The contract...

The city of Richmond has received two Shelter Plus grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to aid local homeless assistance programs. The HUD grants, totaling approximately $748,800, will provide critical support to the city’s housing and human services for homeless individuals and families. The city received $449,280 for the Richmond Shelter Plus Care – A Place To Start and $299,520 for the Richmond Shelter Plus Care. “These programs are essential to the health and well-being of many homeless individuals in our city,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “Programs such as Shelter Plus provide rental assistance and day-to-day support services for the homeless, particularly those battling disabilities. We look forward to joining HUD in the fight to prevent, and eventually end homelessness in the city of Richmond.” Shelter Plus Care is a program designed to provide rental housing assistance and supportive services on a long-term basis for homeless persons with dis...

Richmond CCJB finalizing plans to present to City leadership The Richmond Community Criminal Justice Board (RCCJB) will meet to vote on the 2011-2012 Biennial Plan which focuses on alternatives to incarceration on Wednesday, June 9 at 3:30 p.m. The plan is being prepared to present to city leadership following Mayor Dwight C. Jones' charge for a review of alternatives and request for recommendations. Last year, Mayor Jones, city officials and RCCJB members visited alternatives to incarceration models in three other cities. "The current overcrowding conditions at the City Jail have been a huge problem in the city for years," said Mayor Jones. "I'm convinced that the proper application of alternatives will successfully reduce our jail population and connect individuals to the services they need." High priority recommendations expected to be presented today include: Increase the capacity of specialty housing and homeless programs targeted to offenders with ...

Pursuant to Mayor’s Order #2010-02 , Mayor Dwight C. Jones has established a Pedestrian, Bicycling and Trails Planning Commission. This commission was established to provide city administration advice on ways to incorporate bicycling and walking as viable methods of transportation in the city of Richmond. The commission will hold its inaugural meeting today at 2 p.m. in the 2nd floor large conference room of City Hall, 900 East Broad Street. “According to the City of Richmond Transportation Plan and the City of Richmond Master Plan 2000 – 2020, the city’s current transportation system is not friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Mayor Jones. “There are limited pedestrian or bicycle routes with limited signage; a lack of walking and bicycle maps and park and lock facilities; limited venues for the ease of exercise for disabled residents; and a lack of pedestrian and bicycle safety education resources.” The recommendations made by the commission will lead to the creation of a R...

The firms of Barrett Sports Group, LLC., Populous and Weston Sports have been contracted to jointly conduct a Market Validation and Financial Feasibility study on the future of the Richmond Coliseum. The corporate and public partners of Altria Group Inc., Dominion Resources Inc., Genworth Financial Inc., MeadWestvaco, and the City of Richmond, unanimously chose the team after conducting a series of interviews with the four finalists. Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Henrico County have been supportive of these efforts. “This is the first step towards charting the city’s and region’s direction where our coliseum needs are concerned,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “This type of regional and corporate partnership is a sign of our strong metropolitan region. Collaboration such as this will aid us as we prepare for future growth while providing a quality sports and entertainment venue for the residents of Central Virginia.” The Barrett team had extensive and direct experience in perfo...