The City of Richmond will celebrate a major People’s Budget and GRTC milestone with a community ride-along and dedication for the Lombardy/Kroger bus shelter.  

This project is:  

• The first shelter completed by People’s Budget Cycle One  
• The 90th shelter installed through GRTC’s Essential Transit Infrastructure (ETI) program  
• A significant achievement for resident‑driven investment across the City

The community‑selected shelter, a $50,000 project, was one of the top‑voted priorities in 2nd District, with nearly half of all district participants supporting its installation.  

"This shelter demonstrates how public infrastructure can reflect community priorities when residents are empowered to shape the City's investment decisions," said Jerome Legions, Richmond People's Budget founding Steering Commission member. "The People's Budget process ensures voices from every neighborhood directly influence improvements that matter."  

“Partnership has been critical to advancing bus stop improvements across our system,” said Adrienne Torres, GRTC Chief of Staff and Chief Development Officer. “Support from the City, our regional partners and the Commonwealth, including legislation passed in 2024, has helped strengthen the framework for investing in essential transit infrastructure and improving access for our riders.” 

The stop serves riders traveling toward Laburnum, Chamberlayne, and Westbrook corridors, strengthening a key connector between the 2nd and 3rd Districts.  

This project also supports the Department of Public Works’ Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by 2030. Buses are a critical part of achieving this goal because they offer a safer way to travel. 

"The budget is a joint plan between the community, elected officials, and staff," said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. "This shelter is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when those partners align on the planning, transparency, and commitment necessary to get projects done for the betterment of Richmond." 

"What excites me most about this is seeing Richmond’s commitment to listening to residents and investing in their priorities come to life in a project that people can see, use, and enjoy,” said Councilmember Katherine Jordan. "I'm extremely grateful for all of the folks that gave their time and energy"  

Event Details

September 15, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM   

Ride‑along on GRTC Route, beginning at City Hall and concluding at the Lombardy Kroger shelter  

Schedule 

5:15 PM – Check‑in at City Hall  

5:30 PM – Board bus; rolling Q&A  

5:55 PM – Arrive at shelter  

6:00 PM – Remarks and placement of People’s Budget Completion Badge; cupcakes  

6:20 PM – Return to City Hall  

Media may interview project champions, People’s Budget Steering Commission members, City Council representatives, Office of Community Engagement staff, the Chief Administrative Officer, and GRTC personnel.  

Photos and video of the badge placement will be available.  

Residents can learn more about People’s Budget Cycle One, including project updates at rvapb.org. To stay current and learn more about how to participate in the People’s Budget, subscribe to "The People’s Purse" newsletter.

About the Richmond People’s Budget  

The Richmond People’s Budget is the City’s participatory budgeting program, allowing residents to propose and vote on capital improvements in their neighborhoods. Cycle One concluded in May 2025 with 33 funded projects across the city. Beginning in July 2026, the People’s Budget program became a part of the Chief Administrative Officer’s new Community Engagement initiative, which works across city government to create more transparent, accessible, and resident‑centered pathways for civic participation.  

About GRTC’s Essential Transit Infrastructure (ETI) Program  

Launched in 2022, ETI improves accessibility, safety, comfort, and dignity at bus stops through shelters, benches, ADA‑accessible landing pads, lighting, and other amenities.  

Media Contact:

Monica Annette Manney

Public Information Manager, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

Email: [email protected]

Today, Mayor Danny Avula provided this statement on NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy's announcement about Virginia's benefits package:  

"The news we're hearing today is encouraging and it’s the exact reason the city has filed as a respondent in the case before the State Corporation Commission. Dominion/NextEra are proposing to invest in Richmond. If delivered on, these are important potential next steps—a new downtown tower, a commitment to preserve jobs and add new jobs here, large investments in the workforce development pipeline, and a greater rebate commitment to the residential ratepayers of Virginia.   

Ratepayers, especially vulnerable ratepayers, our local workforce, and our capital city need to be represented in this process.   

We will be actively monitoring the process, and will continue to champion the needs of Richmonders."  

On August 10, 2026, Mayor Avula, along with City Council members President Cynthia Newbille, Vice President Katherine Jordan, Andrew Breton, Ellen Robertson, and Stephanie Lynch, introduce Res. No. 2026-R034 to approve the City's participation to formally intervene in the State Corporation Case involving Dominion Energy. 

The Electoral Board will conduct Logic & Accuracy (L&A) testing of voting equipment in preparation for the upcoming election.

Logic & Accuracy testing is a public process used to verify that voting equipment is properly programmed and accurately records and tabulates votes as expected before ballots are cast.

Testing Details

Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1st Floor Tech Center, 2134 W. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227

Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia, the City of Richmond Electoral Board will conduct Logic and Accuracy (L&A) testing of voting equipment prior to the election.

Public Attendance: Members of the public may attend the L&A testing only if they present a physical letter of authorization from their respective political party chair. The letter must be provided upon arrival and will be required for admission to the testing.

Run Richmond 16.19, an annual running event that takes place in downtown Richmond to encourage participants to reflect on the 400 years of Black history that have shaped the city, will affect traffic on Saturday, September 12. Numerous road closures and “No Parking” zones will go into effect as early as 3 a.m., and vehicles may be towed.

The running event will close streets including the 14th Street (Mayo) Bridge, portions of East Main Street, several streets in Shockoe Bottom, the T. Tyler Potterfield footbridge to Brown’s Island, and several roads from Tredegar Street to Jackson Ward. 

“No Parking” zones will go into effect in the early morning hours of Saturday, with road closures beginning at 6 a.m.

See the full list of closures and no parking zones below. 

For towing inquiries, please contact Seiberts Towing 804-233-5757 .

For more information about the event: 

https://www.runrichmond1619.org/ 

No Parking, September 12, 2026 (3:00 AM - 1:00 PM) 

•  Brook Road (Both Sides) between W. Leigh & Marshall Street  
• W. Marshall Street (Both Sides) between Brook Road &N. 1st Street  
• 1st Street (Both Sides) between E. Marshall & Main Street  
• 5th Street (Both Sides) between E. Franklin & Tredegar Street  
• E. Main Street (Both Sides) between 1st & 21st Street  
• Ambler Street (Both Sides) between E. Franklin & Grace Street  
• N. 18th Street (Both Sides) between E. Franklin & Main Street  
• E. Franklin Street (Both Sides) between Ambler & 18th Street  
• S. 21st Street (Both Sides) between Dock & E. Main Street  
• Virginia Street between E. Byrd & Canal Street  
• Tredegar Street between Brown's Island Way & E. Byrd Street  
   

Road Closures, Times vary  
  

Saturday, September 12, 2026 (5:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)  

• Brook Road between W. Leigh & N. Adams Street  

• W. Clay Street between N. Adams & Madison Street  
    

  Saturday, September 12, 2026 (6:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)  

• N. Adams between W. Broad & W. Clay Street  
• Marshall Street between N. Madison & N. 2nd Street  
• E. Main Street between S. 1st & 21st Street  
• N. 1st Street between E. Marshall & Main Street  
• 5th Street between E. Franklin & Tredegar Street  
• S. 14th Street between E. 1st & Dock Street  
• S. 21st Street between Dock & E. Franklin Street  
• E. Franklin Street between Ambler & 18th Street  
• N. 18th Street between E. Main & Franklin Street  
• E. Byrd Street between S. 12th & Virginia Street  
• Virginia Street between E. Byrd & Canal Street  
• Dock Street (East Bound Lane between S. 18th & 22nd Street  
• Tredegar Street between Brown's Island Way & E. Byrd Street  
• Haxall Point between S. 10th & E. Canal Street  
• E. Grace Street between Ambler & Crane Street  
• Ambler Street between E. Franklin & Grace Street  
   

Free web-based regional directory makes it easier for individuals, families, and community partners to locate care. 

The City of Richmond, in partnership with Henrico County and the Richmond Opioid Task Force, today announced the launch of the Central VA Resource Navigator, a free, public, online directory of mental health and substance use services serving Richmond, Henrico, and surrounding surrounding region.

The Resource Navigator was created to close a persistent gap in the region's care system; residents and providers alike often struggle to identify what services exist, where they are located, and which services may meet a person’s needs. The new tool addresses that gap by giving individuals, families, providers, and community partners a single place to quickly search for and connect with local services.

The online directory began as the Richmond and Henrico Regional Resource Guide to Substance Use, Mental, and Behavioral Health in 2023 to help people find support more easily. It's designed for individuals, families, service providers, and referral partners who need clear, up-to-date information. The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts received a one-time grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials to support community-led work to reduce overdoses and other harm related to substance use. Resource mapping specialists documented services across the region and created a comprehensive guide to help connect people to care. That initial project was completed in June 2024.

Building on that foundation, the guide has since evolved and expanded into the Central VA Resource Navigator, broadening its reach to include Chesterfield and the surrounding region.

The online directory features:

• Searchable mental health and substance use resource filters that help users' narrow services based on their needs  
• Plain-language descriptions of services
• Information about populations served and other relevant eligibility/access details 
• Information for individuals, families, providers, and referral partners

The goal is to help people understand what services are available and choose what works best for them.

“Our team has invested more than 1,500 hours building relationships with a diverse range community organizations," says City of Richmond’s Resource Mapping Project Coordinator from the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response, Monica Kelley,  who joined the City of Richmond team from a Charlottesville non-profit as a Program Manager a year ago specifically to launch the Central VA Resource Navigator.

“We’ve also partnered with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement on language access for the directory and talked to providers to better understand where gaps still exist. More than a list of resources; we want it to be something people can actually trust and use when they’re looking for help.”

Organizations that join the directory can benefit from increased visibility of their services, strengthened referral pathways across the region, faster and more accurate connections between clients and the right services, and more coordinated, informed care across the region's provider network.

“The launch of this project is one that is very close to me because of my previous tenure with RHHD,” says Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. “As a long-time health care provider and leader, I know what happens when residents don't get the care they need — often it means the difference between life and death. The Central VA Resource Navigator is one way our city is choosing to care for our residents along their health journey."

Regional neighbors share the same commitment to expanding accessible health resources. “Henrico County is proud to have partnered with the City of Richmond to launch the Central Virginia Resource Navigator," said  Leslie Martin Stephen, Assistant Director of Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services.  "This is another example of our localities collaborating to address substance use and promote recovery throughout the region. This lifesaving guide gives individuals the ability to identify substance use resources and service providers quickly and easily. For those who need help, accessing the Central Virginia Resource Navigator can be a vital, first step to a healthier and happier life."

How to Get Involved 

• Providers can submit their organization's information through the online form to be added to the directory: CLICK HERE  
• Organizations and community members are invited to join the Richmond Opioid Task Force:  CLICK HERE  
• Community members and partners are encouraged to share feedback to help improve the tool: CLICK HERE   
• Everyone is asked to help expand access by sharing the Resource Navigator with partners, clients, and neighbors
• Visit the Central VA Resource Navigator : www.centralvaresourcenavigator.org

For more information about the City of Richmond’s opioid response efforts: CLICK HERE