~Major detours will be in place during construction~ Beginning the first week of January, the City will begin replacing the 5th Street Bridge over Leigh Street and 7th Street Bridge over Leigh Street.  Motorists and pedestrians who travel the area will be affected.  While the bridges remain safe, the weight load for each bridge was reduced several years ago due to on-going wear. The $3.6 million dollar project is being funded through City and state funds.  The contract has been awarded to Corman Construction. The work will take place in two phases from January 5 through August.The following changes will be in place during construction: Phase 1: 7th Street Bridge over Leigh Street (January 5 to mid-May) 7th Street will be closed at Clay Street to through traffic. Clay Street between 7th Street and 8th Street will be a detour route. No on-street parking will be permitted from January thru May. 8th Street between Clay Street and Leigh Street will be a detour route. No on...

~ Mayor, Richmond Fire and Police are featured with pets ~ The City of Richmond’s Department of Animal Care and Control (RACC) has launched a calendar project for 2015 featuring Mayor Dwight Jones, Richmond Fire and Police officials and others. The 2015 RACC Calendar is a fundraising and exposure project and sales from the calendar will go to the RACC shelter for medical/surgery costs. “Our calendar showcases great places and faces of Richmond, and we believe it will become a sought-after item,” said Christie Chipps Peters, director of RACC. “While we are working to raise funds, we also hope the calendar will help generate more interest in adoptions.” The calendar features 12 unique photos, with dogs and cats that are available for adoption at RACC. Special locations like the Byrd Theater and the State Capitol are also featured. “I believe there is something for everyone in this calendar, and I’m proud of the effort RACC put forth to produce this,” said Mayor Jones. “I’m collect...

Winter officially began on December 21st and lasts until March 19th. During these three months Richmond residents are often faced with times of severe cold which can be accompanied by winter storms that bring snow and ice. Winter Storms are often problematic because they often result in loss of power and communication, and can immobilize an entire region. It is important to be prepared to handle periods of severe cold, snow, and ice. During winter weather events consider minimizing travel on roads as most injuries and deaths are considered secondary and are usually the result of accident or injury. Take measure to prepare both at home and on the road. Consider keeping warm clothes and blankets in your vehicle and ensure your snow shovels are readily accessible in your home. For more information and to obtain winter preparedness tips, please click here . For information of preparing for a winter storm or other emergencies visit Ready.gov .

~ Construction of access road, vegetation removal clearing way for memorial bridge ~ The City of Richmond announced that work is progressing on the Richmond Riverfront Plan. A top priority of the Plan is construction of the Brown’s Island Dam Walk, now known as the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge (TTPMB). The area is regulated by the State Department of Conservation and Resources as a Low Hazard (Special Criteria) dam, and therefore all woody vegetation within 25 feet of the structure has to be removed. Since mid-November, the city and state have been working to clear the woody vegetation and to construct an access road in order to provide contractor access to the project site for the bridge construction.  The dam inspection report recommended removal of woody vegetation and debris in the south section of the dam and along various piers. The tree removal work meets the Low Head Dam requirements and also benefits the TTPMB project, by providing a construction entrance that c...

The City of Richmond encourages people throughout the Richmond region to complete a short online survey of proposed names for the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. A list of possible names for the BRT service was developed by the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC). You can help make the final decision by taking a short survey about the proposed names and you will also have an opportunity to suggest a name yourself. Click here to take the survey, now through January 1, 2015 . Everyone who completes the survey will be eligible for a random drawing to receive two tickets for the VCU Men’s Basketball game on January 7 or January 10, 2015. Fourteen pairs of tickets will be given away! GRTC will unveil the name of the BRT service, logo and vehicle design in the spring of 2015. To learn more about GRTC’s BRT Service and sign up to follow BRT progress, please visit www.ridegrtc.com . RVA’s first BRT line will be along a 7.6 mile corridor between Rocketts Landing and Willow Lawn. Th...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones will host a Free Skate Night for the public on Wednesday, December 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. for the first 150 skaters at RVA On Ice. Mayor Jones will greet skaters and special guests before officially cutting the ribbon to kick off the Free Skate Night. Jack Berry, CEO of Richmond Region Tourism, will also welcome skaters and recognize the many generous sponsors who make this downtown holiday tradition possible. The Richmond Police Athletic League Youth Band will perform a few selections during the ceremony and members of the Mayor’s Youth Academy will also be in attendance as special guests of Mayor Jones. The regular skate admission price will be waived from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring their own skates and skate rentals are available as well; $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children three and under. All upcoming events and promotions will be posted on both www.RVAOnIce.net and www.Facebook.com/RVAOnIce . Theme nights will return this year includ...

~ U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott to be ceremony guest speaker and retiring Judge Richard D. Taylor to be honored ~   The Richmond Circuit Court’s Adult Drug Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Friday, December 5 at 1 p.m. at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 West Graham Road. The Honorable Robert “Bobby” Scott, U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District, will be the guest speaker and Dalen Harris, representing the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy will also be present to acknowledge the achievements of the graduates. The ceremony will mark the completion of an intensive 18-month outpatient program of drug treatment, probation supervision, judicial monitoring and community service for five Adult Drug Court graduates. Additionally, a special presentation will take place honoring the years of service for retiring Judge Richard D. Taylor, Jr., Richmond Circuit Court (2002-2014) and former Juvenile Court Judge (1993-2002). As on...