Mayor Stoney is proud to announce that the City of Richmond received the highest Municipal Equality Index scorecard in the Commonwealth of Virginia as determined by the Human Rights Campaign. Out of the 11 municipalities scored in Virginia, Richmond received a   94 . Out of the 506 municipalities scored in 2018, the City of Richmond experienced the most significant score increase nationwide. Richmond was named a “MEI All-Star” and spotlighted as a “city boldly leading the way to equality” in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2018 MEI   report .   “I am thrilled that Richmond has taken so many positive steps to protect and support our LGBTQ community,” said Mayor Stoney. “I have always said that no matter the color of your skin, the neighborhood you live in, or who you love, that you are welcome in the City of Richmond – and Richmond’s 2018 MEI scorecard echoes that message.” Each year the Human Rights Campaign rates cities across the United States based on their initiat...

Composed of 19 teachers from across the Richmond Public School system, the council will help provide insight into what attracts teachers to Richmond and what will keep them living and working here. It will also offer input to the administration on ways the City can support students outside the school day so they can enter the classroom eager and ready to learn. “Our educators are a valuable asset with a unique perspective on how to help our children,” said Mayor Stoney. “I look forward to hearing their ideas and I am grateful for their commitment to our kids.”    The Council will hold its first meeting on Monday, October 15, and will convene bimonthly thereafter with strategic support from Brionna Nomi, doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education. The Mayor has appointed 19 teachers to the inaugural MTAC representing the diversity of Richmond’s teaching force. They include: Ms. Coretta (Cory) Adkins, G...

Dine in. Take out. Build Schools.   Click   here   to watch Mayor Stoney’s video. Today the City of Richmond launched a new campaign, “Change for RVA Schools”, to promote and encourage dining in Richmond restaurants as a means to support funding for new school facilities in the city. “The conditions in many of Richmond’s aging city schools detract from the positive learning environment our kids deserve,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “Making a difference and creating positive change for our kids is deliciously simple; eat city food, help city schools.” Every time someone visits a Richmond restaurant, 1.5% of their bill will go toward building revenue for new school facilities. Residents will see ads on GRTC buses and messages posted via social media encouraging them to visit restaurants throughout the city. For more information, visit ChangeForRVASchools.com and follow the campaign on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . -->

On October 2, 2018, the Virginia Municipal League (VML) adopted its 2019 legislative program, which includes support for funding the true cost of public education. Specifically, VML calls for the Commonwealth of Virginia to recognize that the current Standards of Quality do not acknowledge the actual cost of educating students, which includes pupil transportation, school support staff, access to broadband and other necessary technology and competitive staff salaries. These operational costs are in addition to the necessary facility maintenance and construction costs borne by school systems across the state.  Since 2009, local governments have taken on a much larger share of the funding, which has resulted in approximately $4 billion above the required local effort for Standard of Quality programs in 2016 and 2017. “I applaud VML for acknowledging that the Commonwealth of Virginia needs to fund the true cost of education,” said Mayor Ston...

Working with the City of Richmond’s Department of Social Services, Mayor Levar Stoney today announced the City’s 2018 - 2019 Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will operate from the Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way. “Allowing some of our most vulnerable residents to spend another winter in the deplorable conditions of the old Public Safety Building is unacceptable,” said Mayor Stoney. “That is why the City of Richmond will step up and relocate programs and services to a more suitable and accommodating city building as a temporary solution to provide safety and warmth this winter. “The ultimate long-term goal is to find permanent, suitable housing for all of our citizens year-round, so that we don’t have to have this same challenge every year,” the mayor continued. “That is why I am pleased to support Councilwoman Robertson’s   ordinance   that would require the city to develop a strategic plan to address homelessness.” The City of Ric...

Monroe Park, one of Richmond’s oldest and most historic parks and public spaces, reopened on Thursday, September 27, 2018.   Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney, VCU President Michael Rao, Monroe Park Conservancy President Alice Massie and other representatives from the city, VCU and the community participated in the ceremony.   “Monroe Park is our Central Park,” said Mayor Stoney. “It is again a cultural, urban oasis, made possible thanks to the unique partnership between the city, VCU and Monroe Park Conservancy. The hard work and dedication put into the restoration of this welcoming greenspace will ensure this park provides respite, relaxation and enjoyment to city residents and visitors for years to come.”   “Everyone at VCU will benefit from this magnificently restored Monroe Park, which now includes the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of our 21st century community,” said VCU President Michael Rao. “Generations of Richmonders have used and loved this p...

After months of thorough negotiations, the city administration is pleased to report significant progress in its discussions with NH District Corporation on the proposed North of Broad Development. Negotiators for the city report consensus among the parties on Mayor Stoney’s key priorities regarding affordable housing, minority business participation and a new GRTC transfer station. “Things are moving in the right direction,” said Mayor Stoney, “While this is not a done deal, I’m optimistic our negotiations will continue to be productive.” Before the terms of a Master Development Agreement can be structured, city officials and the city’s financial advisors must analyze the financing proposed for the project and will await results of a third-party review of the proposal by Hunden Strategic Partners. Further updates will be provided when they are available.