The Atlantic 10 Conference announced Thursday it has entered a three-year partnership with the City of Richmond to bring the A-10 Women’s BasketballChampionship to the Richmond Coliseum beginning in 2014.  The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the Richmond Downtown Marriott. “The opportunity to establish a long-term home for our women’s basketball championship and partner with the City of Richmond was one we could not pass up. We selected Richmond because it gives us the ability to build on our record attendance from last year’s championship and provide a true March Madness environment for our women’s basketball student-athletes,” stated A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “I want to thank our head coaches and Directors of Athletics for their leadership in this selection and commend the City of Richmond, SMG and my staff for their commitment to making this a true win-win partnership for everyone involved.” The 2014 13-team event will take place...

New High-Rise Office Building Features Modern Technology, ‘Green’ Amenities Officials with the City of Richmond and Clayco today celebrated the construction of Gateway Plaza, Richmond’s newest high-rise office building, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the project’s site in the heart of the downtown business district.  “Gateway Plaza is becoming a reality. Its creation is cause for celebration by the City of Richmond, the area’s business community, the lead tenant McGuireWoods and Clayco. It represents an incredible commitment to the city by McGuireWoods, and we appreciate the confidence everyone has shown in Clayco. Gateway Plaza also offers a superb combination of the highest quality materials, technology and construction techniques to create a truly Class A business setting that is efficient, convenient, environmentally-sensitive and geared to the needs of 21 st century organizations,” said Bob Clark, chairman and chief executive officer of Clayco. Richmond ...

City of Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Chair Dorothy A. Jaeckle will host representatives from the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and others for a discussion titled: Advancing Livable and Economically Resilient Communities, on Monday, Sept. 9 at:   McGuire-Woods LLP, One James Center   901 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219   Frances Hayes Conference Room on the 2nd Floor The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a mix and mingle opportunity, with the program scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Please note that the roundtable discussion is closed, but will be followed at 11:30 a.m. by a short press avail in the same location. Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones and Regional Director Jane Vincent, both of HUD, and Undersecretary for Policy at DOT Polly Trottenberg will discuss the topic with representatives from state agencies, local community leaders and members of the bu...

RVA now one step from top – 6 upgrades in 5 years   Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has upgraded Richmond’s general obligation debt rating to AA+, the next-to-highest rating possible. S&P specifically praised the city’s strong financial performance, including its strong reserves, continued investment in economic development projects and adopted fiscal and debt policies. “This upgrade is proof positive that our financial and economic actions are paying off,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “Wall Street recognizes that Richmond is on the move. We’ve now earned six upgrades in five years, demonstrating that investors are confident in Richmond and our ability to make big things happen.” S&P cited Richmond’s significant role in the regional economy, experienced management team, moderate per capita debt and manageable capital plan as significant factors in the decision to upgrade. The Mayor, along with members of Richmond City Council and city officials met with the ...

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement today following President Barack Obama’s speech recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington: “Fifty years ago today, I was 15 and traveling through Washington, DC with my parents on the day Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic speech to this nation. Today, President Barack Obama also delivered a historic speech marking this 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. Reflecting on Martin Luther King’s lasting legacy and listening to the President today reminds me that I stand on the shoulders of the men and women who marched in Washington. I haven’t lost sight of the fact that I am an African-American mayor in a once terribly segregated Jim Crow city: the former capital of the Confederacy. My path to this seat in office is a direct reflection of the gains made as a result of the Civil Rights movement. But even as I reflect on the many gains and tremendous strides, I don’t discount th...

The City of Richmond and partner CultureWorks are pleased to announce the launch of the Arts and Cultural District Micro Grant Program. The Micro Grant Program is one of several recent city initiatives targeted to the Broad Street Arts and Cultural District. The purpose of the grant program is to increase the activity and vibrancy of the Arts and Cultural District through the combined effect of several, small grant funded projects and improvements.   “Broad Street is Richmond’s front door and those that do business in the Arts and Cultural District are helping to put Richmond’s best foot forward,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “These grant opportunities will help these businesses be able to host and bring even bigger and better exhibits to the heart of the city and in turn show our visitors what a great city Richmond is.” Two categories of grants are available; project support and capital improvements. Project support grants of up to $1,000 are designed to help fund special...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement today after receiving the Child Welfare League’s report on the Child Welfare Division of the City’s Department of Social Services, which the City had requested: “Earlier this year, I ordered the Department of Social Services to address each of the concerns raised in earlier reviews of the agency. This latest report acknowledges that we are dealing forthrightly with these problems and are taking corrective actions to fix them. Make no mistake: While we have a lot of work ahead, children’s safety will not be compromised. We are investing the resources needed to turn this agency around. Like every parent, I strongly believe this is the right thing to do. “The report notes that the hearts of city child welfare workers are in the right place, and they are working hard to do the right thing, despite the serious problems that have come to light. Their jobs are important and tough, and I know that they are working hard to protect v...