The City’s Department of Finance is continuing to provide personal assistance with the real estate tax relief application process. Since January 10, City staff has provided assistance to elderly and disabled residents who may qualify or need to re-certify for real estate tax relief. Residents in need of assistance in completing the application for tax relief may do so in person at the following locations during the listed dates and times: City Hall – Room 103, 900 East Broad Street Every Tuesday and Thursday, now through March 29 from 8 a.m. to Noon Southside Community Services Center – 4100 Hull Street Road The following Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to Noon March 14 and 28 East End District Center – 901 North 25th Street The following Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to Noon: March 21 Richmond Police Training Academy – 1202 West Graham Road Tuesday, March 13, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 9 a.m. to Noon No appointment is necessary and free parking is available at the Southside and East End loca...

City residents will find it much easier to gauge when the snow plows will be nearby. The City of Richmond has developed a new on-line application that will enable residents and visitors to see where snow plows have already been, as well as where they are heading. The Snow Plow Tracker map includes information for the City’s posted emergency routes, Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes; which includes major arterial routes, such as Broad Street, Midlothian Turnpike and Belvidere Street. It also provides the locations of safety and emergency resources, such as fire stations, police precincts and hospitals, as well as City schools and fire hydrants. The Snow Plow Tracker is the latest measure the City and the Department of Public Works have taken to improve and increase the resources needed to combat inclement winter weather. The City has purchased new spreaders, plows and vehicles, including John Deere Gators, which will help with snow and ice removal in tight areas. “Even though w...

Courtesy Service to Combat Food Deserts Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced a new monthly grocery shuttle offering transportation for Richmond residents to local grocery stores. The courtesy service is being piloted for residents in areas of the city considered to be in food deserts – areas without access to healthy, nutritional, fresh food. A transportation support system is one of the preliminary recommendations of the Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force. “This is a recommendation that we can act on right away,” said Mayor Jones. “Helping city residents access healthy and fresh food options tie right in with the City’s healthy lifestyle focus.” The food desert areas that have been focused on for this pilot project include Hillside Court, Fay Tower, Creighton Court, Fairfield, Mosby and Whitcomb. The pilot project will run for a six month period and then the City will access its usefulness and sustainability. The Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force is presently working on recommen...

In salute of Black History Month, please support local Black-owned businesses during the month of February, and continue to keep with the City's efforts to help ensure that taxpayer dollars are being invested locally and recirculated within our local economy. During the month, look for a series of advertisements highlighting those opportunities to support minority-owned restaurants, retailers, service providers and others. It is important that we take the time to focus on the contributions of minorities in our community, and continue to "Build a Better Richmond." If you would like for your business to be included, please contact the city of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development at (804) 646-5947 to register your business. The Office provides maximum opportunities for minority, disadvantaged and emerging businesses with programs geared to inform, educate and motivate minority and emerging firms to become more involved in the city's procurement opport...