Stay up-to-date on the construction of the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center with this interactive webcam. Select any date and time to see what happened on the construction site that day. Images are updated every 20 minutes to provide a fresh look at the jobsite. Click here to view .

~Homeward & City’s DSS have developed transition homelessness service plan~ In response to the closure of Freedom House, the City’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Human Services Stephen Harms requested that the Executive Director of Homeward, Kelly King Horne, in cooperation with homelessness prevention staff at the Richmond Department of Social Services, work with Freedom House and the network of homeless assistance agencies to develop a transition plan for services to people experiencing homelessness. The findings of this report are as follows: -         All non-veteran residents of the Freedom House shelter programs have been transitioned to permanent housing or are being served by CARITAS, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, HomeAgain, and the Salvation Army. Freedom House is working on a separate plan to serve its 12 veteran residents. -         Freedom House is in conversation with other community partners about the meal...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Commission invites the city of Richmond to participate in Richmond Bike Month during May. The goal of the 2nd Annual Richmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge to show how easy, affordable, and healthy bike commuting can be. “The Richmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge is a great way for our residents to learn and experience the tremendous health and sustainability benefits of bicycling. It is my hope that local businesses and large employers alike partner with us to promote a healthy Richmond, and be a central resource in increasing the overall health of our city,” commented Mayor Jones. “My Administration has the goal of making Richmond one of the most bicycle and pedestrian-friendly cities in the country.” Participants are encouraged to ride their bicycle to and from work, and report days commuted at the end of each week for the entire month of May. Riding a bicycle for only part of the commute, such as to join a car pool, ride the bu...

Hundreds of local volunteers, including Comcast employees and their families and friends along with representatives from the City of Richmond; the Mayor’s Participation, Action, and Communication Team (MPACT); Friends of Byrd Park, Clean City Commission, and Sierra Club – Fall of James chapter; and students from Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Union University, pitched in to help beautify Byrd Park on Saturday, April 27 as part of “Comcast Cares Day,” the company’s annual nationwide day of service.   “We appreciate Comcast and all the volunteers who donated their time and energy to help keep Byrd Park clean,” stated Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “Byrd Park is a significant landmark in Richmond with 200 acres of public green space that we want to celebrate and cherish year round.” Volunteer projects included planting and landscaping, cleaning and repairing the Ha’Penny Stage, clearing debris along the historic bridal path and cleaning alleys and sidewalks. Volunteer...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones  was  joined  by Richmond City  Council  Vice President Ellen Robertson, School Board member Shonda Harris–Muhammed, and Dr. Norman Merrifield, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities in cutting the ribbon  to reopen  the newly renovated and expanded  Bellemeade  Community Center today .  Following the ribbon cutting ceremony,  Mayor Jones led a brief tour of the center ’s new feature s  for attending  public  and media . The City  also  hosted a family fun day to celebrate the  re opening of the community  center . Mayor Jones stated, “Opening t h is  community center  today and the adjacent new school which we opened in early January, are clear  demonstration s   of  the City ’s   commitment of  invest ing  in resources to enhance the future of  our children.  It  i s very exciting to see  the...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and City Council President Charles Samuels announced today that they will support four additional slots to the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies for the upcoming 2013 school year. The additional slots cost about $7,500 each. Funding for the additional slots will be taken from the Fiscal Year 2014 budget that is now being reviewed by Richmond City Council. Currently the city has an allotment of 197 slots to the Maggie Walker Governor’s School and the addition of four will increase that number to 201. “Maggie Walker Governor’s School was ranked as the #16-best public high school in the nation in 2012,” said the Mayor. “I have made it a priority during my time in office to make sure that every child has an opportunity to grow and learn. To that end, when slots are available at this great school, I want to make sure that we offer them to Richmond students.” Councilman Samuels said, “I appreciate the Mayor’s help in g...

~Homeward to develop transition plan for services to people experiencing homelessness~ In response to the closure of Freedom House, the City’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Human Services Stephen Harms has requested that the Executive Director of Homeward, Kelly King Horne, in cooperation with homelessness prevention staff at the Richmond Department of Social Services (RDSS), develop a transition plan for services to people experiencing homelessness. Homeward serves as the regional planning and coordinating body for homeless services and is funded by the City of Richmond to conduct annual planning on homelessness and to fulfill state and federal requirements related to homeless services. Homeward and RDSS will work in partnership with Freedom House leadership and the regional network of homeless services providers and funders to ensure the continuation of services for people currently assisted by Freedom House.  The initial assessment and transition plan will be ...