The Shockoe Alliance will hold its next community meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 4, 2019 at the Main Branch of the Richmond Public Library, 101 E. Franklin Street. The community workshop is the next step toward the development of the Small Area Plan and implementation strategy for the Shockoe area. This meeting will focus on consideration of plan recommendations resulting from prior public input, featuring interactive group discussions regarding top planning priorities and a real-time voting exercise to gauge support for each key planning theme. Community leaders, city staff and members of the Shockoe Alliance will serve as presenters and discussion facilitators. The results of this meeting will serve as the basis for preparation of the Draft Small Area Plan for public review in early 2020.    The Shockoe Alliance is charged with guiding the design and implementation of concepts and recommendations for the future of Shockoe. Its ultimate goal is ...

The Public Works Roadway Maintenance Division has repaired more than 31,000 potholes so far this year. This marks the third year running that DPW has far exceeded the usual 18,000 annual repairs. In 2018, about 26,900 potholes were fixed, compared to just under 25,000 the year before. In 2017, Mayor Levar M. Stoney asked city employees to elevate the level of service provided to city residents. The DPW Pothole Crew redefined some of its internal procedures and set a goal to fill 20,000 potholes. It surpassed that target by nearly 5,000 repairs, achieving a department milestone. “When we invest in our infrastructure, we invest in our future,” said Mayor Stoney. “I’m proud our Public Works team rose to our high expectations this year. Now, after a banner year filling thousands of potholes, we’re providing a long-term solution: a historic investment in paving.” DPW attributes the increase in pothole repairs to its acquisition of two pothole trucks that are revolutionizing ...

Today, Mayor Stoney announced that the City of Richmond again received the highest Municipal Equality Index score in the Commonwealth of Virginia, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Out of the 11 municipalities that the Human Rights Campaign scored in Virginia, Richmond scored the highest, earning a 97. “My mission is to build a city where everyone, no matter their skin color, country of origin, how they worship or who they love, is free to live out their God-given potential,” said Mayor Stoney. “Supporting the members of Richmond’s LGBTQ community is imperative to that task, and this score shows that inclusivity is one of our top priorities.” Each year the Human Rights Campaign rates cities across the United States based on their initiatives to support LGBTQ communities. The findings are compiled on the Municipal Equality Index (MEI) scorecard, where cities are given points for inclusive programs and policies, such as non-discrimination laws, transgender-inclusive healt...

Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced the creation of the City of Richmond Eviction Task Force, an advisory body charged with addressing the causes of evictions in Richmond and prescribing preventative solutions. The task force will work alongside the city’s Eviction Diversion Program, a first-of-its-kind within the Commonwealth of Virginia mediation program providing rental assistance, pro bono legal support, financial counseling, and supportive service referrals to residents already in the court system for rent-due cases and facing housing insecurity. The Eviction Diversion Program, launched in October 2019 in partnership with Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Firms in Service and the court system, is poised to thwart hundreds of potential evictions in its first year. “The Eviction Diversion Program will make a real impact in the lives of some of our most vulnerable community members...

During its November 12 meeting, Richmond City Council unanimously passed an ordinance requiring any person who loses a gun or has one stolen in the City of Richmond to report the loss or theft to the Richmond Police Department. The ordinance, proposed by Mayor Stoney and introduced on October 14, intends to prevent the trafficking of lost and stolen guns, which are more likely to be used in criminal offenses. At the time of introduction, 354 firearms had been reported stolen in the City of Richmond. The legislation aims to prevent gun crimes before they occur by requiring   gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to police within 24 hours of realizing a loss or theft has occurred.   The reporting requirement became effective upon passage. “I’m thankful   City   Council took this important step to   help   prevent gun violence in Richmond,” said Mayor Stoney. “This reporting requirement isn’t a fix-all, but   this additional leve...

The Richmond City Circuit, located in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit will hold a commencement ceremony on Friday, November 8, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at the Richmond Police Academy, 1202 Graham Road, Richmond, Virginia. The Court will recognize 13 participants who have successfully completed the 18-month Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court program. This event is open to the public. Event speakers will include: Presiding Judges C.N Jenkins Jr. and W. Reilly Marchant and Dr. Peter Coleman of the Coleman Institute, who specializes in providing prevention, screening, intervention, and treatment for substance use and addiction. The Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court program provides treatment and supervision services to non-violent drug defendants instead of requiring them to serve an active jail sentence. In exchange for successful completion of the treatment program, the court may dismiss the original charge, terminate the defendant from probation, or reduce a felony to a misde...

Throughout November, the city will hold a series of town hall meetings on the Navy Hill redevelopment proposal. Each of the four meetings will consist of a presentation by the mayor and city officials as well as an opportunity for the public to ask questions.  Additionally, the mayor will join Navy Hill Development Corporation and Spectra representatives for a brief presentation and meet and greet after the November 2 Navy Hill Advisory Commission meeting.   Mayor Stoney to host meet and greet with NHDC and Spectra representatives: Saturday, November 2 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Hickory Hill Community Center 3000 E. Belt Blvd. Mayor Stoney and city officials to host Navy Hill town halls: Thursday, November 14 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Carver Elementary School   1110 W. Leigh St. Sunday, November 17 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Peter Paul Development Center 1708 N. 22 nd   St. Monday, November 18 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Hickory Hill Community Center 3000 E...