When I spoke about the monuments earlier this summer, it was from an optimism that we can take the power away from these statues by telling their true story, for the first time. As I said in June, it is my belief that, as they currently stand without explanation, the confederate statues on Monument Avenue are a default endorsement of a shameful period in our national and city history that do not reflect the values of inclusiveness, equality and diversity we celebrate in today’s Richmond.  I wish they had never been built.  Still, I believed that as a first step, there was a need to set the historical record straight. That is why I asked the Monument Avenue Commission to solicit public input and to suggest a complete and truthful narrative of these statues, who built them and why they were erected.  When it comes to these complicated questions that involve history, slavery, Jim Crow and war, we all must have the humility to admit that our ...

Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced, for a limited time, Richmond will offer tax amnesty benefits to citizens owing certain back taxes. The program will begin next Tuesday, August 15 and run through October 16, 2017. “This is the chance for citizens who owe to get right with the city,” said Mayor Stoney. “Our schools, police and other vital city services are paid for with tax revenues, and they’ve been shortchanged by millions of dollars in unpaid taxes.” Taxpayers can benefit from this one-time opportunity to pay taxes without incurring or paying penalties and interest. Eligibility includes all individuals and businesses owing real estate taxes, business personal property taxes (excluding vehicles), business license taxes, admissions taxes, lodging taxes and meals taxes as of February 1, 2017. Vehicle personal property taxes and vehicle license taxes and fees are not eligible for this amnesty program. “The city is owed tens of millions of dollars in back taxes,” said the city’s fin...

Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced Newport Beach, CA-based Panattoni Development Company, Inc., one of the largest full-service development companies in the world, has acquired over 62 acres for development of a new state-of-the-art distribution center to be located along Commerce Rd., just south of the Bells Rd. / I-95 interchange and across from Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT) at the Port of Virginia. John Reinhart, the CEO and executive director of the Port of Virginia, said Panattoni’s confidence in Virginia’s business environment “will create more supply chain capacity in Central Virginia,” among numerous other benefits. Panattoni will proceed in two phases, with plans that include and total nearly one million square feet of cross-dock warehouses with multiple trailer drops. Phase one is expected to be completed by late summer 2018. In welcoming Panattoni to the city’s port area, Mayor Stoney said, “Richmond is happening; we’re on the move and we are growing as an epicenter ...

Mayor Levar M. Stoney began hosting brown bag lunches with city departments and their directors last week. These lunches have been initiated as part of the process to implement recommendations from the performance review completed by VCU’s Performance Management Group earlier this year. “I am having real dialogue with front line employees and giving them an opportunity to be heard,” said Mayor Stoney. “Their concerns, ideas and recommendations play a critical part in bringing needed changes to City Hall.” Mayor Stoney will meet with every city department in the coming weeks, with the following already scheduled: Budget Community Wealth Building Economic & Community Development Emergency Communications Human Resources Information Technology Justice Services Minority Business Development Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities Planning & Development Review Public Utilities Public Works Richmond Animal Care & Control Social Services

State of Confederate Memorials Group: Examine what other communities and institutions are doing around the country to address Confederate memorials and monuments. Monday, July 31 1:30 p.m. Department of Historic Resources 2801 Kensington Ave. Historians Review Group: Provide additional historical background on existing monuments and information on community-proposed additions to Monument Avenue. Tuesday, August 1 10:30 a.m. Library of Virginia 800 E. Broad St. New Monuments and Interpretation Group: If monuments are added, where can they best be erected and interpreted? What are our interpretive options? Wednesday, August 2 1 p.m. Department of Historic Resources 2801 Kensington Ave. Community Engagement Group: Establish rules for community engagement and how the public sessions should be structured. Wednesday, August 2 3 p.m. Black History Museum 122 W. Leigh St. The Monument Avenue Commission has set the following dates for public meetings: Wednesday, August 9 6:30 p.m. Virginia Hist...

Following the successful joint City Council-School Board meeting on June 26, a resolution expressing support for the launch of the RVA Education Compact was introduced by City Council on Monday, July 17 for potential adoption on July 24. A parallel resolution will be introduced by the School Board at its meeting on August 7. The introduced City Council resolution can be found here . The most recent version of the draft School Board resolution can be found here . An accompanying letter from Mayor Stoney to members of City Council and the School Board can be found here . The RVA Education Compact is a collaborative and coordinated plan based on the fact our government, schools and community must work together to meet our challenges and ensure a brighter future for our children. Mayor Stoney is looking forward to working closely with School Board and City Council to meet the needs of children in the City of Richmond, both inside and outside the classroom.

To watch the full video of the event, click here . This morning Mayor Levar M. Stoney and the Department of Planning and Development Review (PDR) hosted a launch event for Richmond 300 overlooking the entire city from the Observation Deck of City Hall. Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth is the city’s Master Plan. Richmond 300 will establish a 20-year vision for the city’s growth and be developed with extensive community input. In 2037, Richmond will celebrate its 300th anniversary. What do Richmonders want the city to look like when it turns 300? "Richmond is growing, and we all share in the responsibility of managing how we grow,” said Mayor Stoney. "This is a massive undertaking that involves aligning the myriad of City Hall efforts – overcoming the segmented approach and breaking down silos – and having one road map for the growth of our city." Richmond 300 will be developed with extensive community engagement. As such, there will be numerous ways to participate...