Tourism economic impact at center of plans The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) being prepared by the Jones Administration for submission to City Council on March 6 includes what Mayor Jones is calling key tourism economic drivers designed to spur the areas creative economy. Included in the Mayor’s proposed budget is $14 million in proposed improvements to the historic Landmark Theater, $5 million for Shockoe Bottom Revitalization plans, and $5 million for riverfront development. Mayor Dwight C. Jones cited tourism as a driver for his decision to propose these investments. “Increasing our tourism draw is a revenue generator and of great benefit to the city,” said Mayor Jones. “For example, it is anticipated that the Landmark renovations will lead to expanded operations and the additional visitor spending will generate an estimated annual economic impact of $6.1 million for the city of Richmond - doubling the economic impact and tax revenue presently generated by the Landmark Theater.” Jo...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today the selection of new members of the Board of Directors for Richmond 2015, the organization that will produce the 2015 Road World Cycling Championships. The board will be co-chaired by Mayor Jones and Thomas Farrell, the Chairman and CEO of Dominion Resources. The board appointed Jack Berry, Executive Director of Venture Richmond, as the interim CEO of Richmond 2015. Mayor Jones, Farrell and Berry will serve as the Executive Committee, which will guide the organizational efforts to prepare the community to host the international cycling event. Other board members who have agreed to serve in leadership capacities include: Slaughter Fitz-Hugh, President and COO of CapTech Consulting, and 2011 United Way Campaign Chair; Jon Lugbill, Executive Director of Richmond Sports Backers; Byron Marshall, City’s Chief Administrative Officer; Julie Rautio, partner with Capital Results; Phil Hills, former Executive Vice President of the Lance Armstrong Foundation; ...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced the transition from an analog system to state-of-the-art digital technology for the Richmond Police Division of Emergency Communications 911 phone system. After months of planning, implementation and training, the city’s new 911 phone system went live today in early morning hours. There was no interruption of 911 call service to city residents with the transition. “This is a planned enhancement that was appropriated for in our current budget,” said Mayor Jones. “The new system puts the city in an improved posture to interface with emerging technologies as 911 standards evolve, to include texting and sending photos to emergency systems.” Funding for the 911 phone system was appropriated in the FY2012 budget by Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Richmond City Council. The approved appropriation supports a five-year lease agreement to pay for the system via a leasing agent. In addition, the City of Richmond received a $150,000 grant from the Virginia ...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones today received the report of the Mayor’s Commission on Pension Liability Assessment. Key findings included recommendations to: 1. Continue the City’s long-standing practice of fully funding the actuarially required contribution to the Richmond Retirement System (RRS), as recommended by the actuary; 2. Consider adjusting the employer and employee contributions for current and future employees; 3. Consider realigning the pension benefit structure for senior-level employees including the vesting period to match the term of office of elected officials; or, 4. Consider moving senior-level employees to the Virginia Retirement System, both to reduce costs and to increase the pool of potential employees. Commission Chair Robert M. Blue said that the RRS Board appeared to be a good steward of the pension system. “The investment performance in the RRS portfolio is excellent, and the Board has plotted a course that will re-build its funding ratios i...

City of Richmond snow plows are currently focusing their snow treatment and removal efforts on primary routes, bridges, and hills. To aid this work effort and avoid hazardous driving conditions, residents are asked to remain inside and not travel on city streets. If it becomes absolutely necessary to travel under these conditions, then please consider the following suggestions: • If you do have to drive, drive cautiously and decrease speed; • Have a full tank of gas; • Completely clear snow and ice from your vehicle before driving; • Have a cell phone with a full charge with you; • Have cold weather items, such as coats and blankets in your vehicle; • Be cautious and aware of children that may be playing in the snow and pedestrians; • Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake; • Increase distance between you and the vehicle in front of you; • Remember overpasses freeze before surface roads and ice may form on the brid...

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...