Mayor announces community safety coordinator and partnership to distribute $1M in community grants

Richmond, VA — – Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced several important steps to protect city residents by addressing and preventing gun violence.

““Nothing is more important than the public health and public safety of our residents,” the mayor said. “Gun violence is a decades old issue that has afflicted cities across the country and has only been made worse by the pandemic. We’re taking these steps because our hearts break each time we hear about the loss of life and the trauma caused by gun violence, and NO mother should have to bury her child because we haven’t done enough.”

The city has hired its first Community Safety Coordinator, Samuel Brown.  The Community Safety Coordinator (CSC), a recommendation of the Task Force to Reimagine Public Safety and supported by the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group and, will be the primary point person within the city administration for issues involving gun violence. 

This Community Safety Coordinator will focus on the fundamentals of the city’s Gun Violence Prevention Framework, including engagement, prevention, intervention, training, and supportive services for victims as well as perpetrators of gun violence. The CSC will also host community conversations and focus groups that involve community members in steps toward halting violence in our communities.   

Reggie Gordon, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, hailed the hiring of Mr. Brown, who grew up in Richmond and holds degrees from Virginia Union and Virginia State University. 

“Samuel has made a personal and professional commitment to find solutions so that Richmond, Richmond’s children, Richmond’s families can exhale, breathe free and have a restored sense of calm and security,” Gordon said of Brown , who previously worked at the Peter Paul Development Center before joining the City of Richmond in the Human Services Portfolio.

“Samuel has been a teacher and a coach, and is ready to build upon the work that has been done and bring myriad stakeholders together to grow solutions that make our city safer.” 

Mayor Stoney also announced the City will partner with the nonprofit community organization NextUp to distribute $1 million in funding for community led programs for children and families.  Based on CDC guidance, prevention efforts will focus on after-school programming, parenting support, mental health support for kids, tutoring and mentorships.

NextUp will not be the sole recipient of these funds. Rather, it will serve as the fiscal agent to make grants to grassroots and community organizations and provide quality programming and training so that those closest to impacted communities can have resources to disrupt the cycle of violence.

“Communities benefit when children and their families have access to quality programs right in their neighborhoods,” said Barbara Sipe, President and CEO of NextUp. “Richmond has so many amazing providers and programs doing exceptional work, and NextUp looks forward to increasing access to important programs that build community strength and socio-emotional wellness for our youth.”

Richmond Police Department Chief Gerald Smith also discussed the role of RPD’s civilian “Violence Interrupters” in helping to deescalate conflict and be credible, trusted community voices to help residents connect to support systems instead of violence.

“This evidence-based intervention leverages multiple sectors of our community to provide a holistic approach for those who are most at risk of perpetrating or being victimized by violence,” said Chief Smith. “The violence interrupters draw upon lived experiences to help deescalate and mediate conflicts, diffuse tensions and act as peer counselors. They are of the community and for the community.”

The $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPS) funding targeted specifically for gun violence prevention is only one component of the city’s investment in keeping communities safer. Other investments include:

• $2M in ARPA for childcare and parental support
• $1.5M in ARPA for initiatives out of the Office of Community Wealth Building   
• $ 500,000 to the Richmond City Health District for the establishment of a trauma response network
• $300,000 from the Gang Violence Assessment grant from DCJS
• $500,000 from DCJS for ”We Matter RVA” program

“These steps signify progress in implementation of our framework, and while no one program or strategy is a panacea that will cure this decades-old issue overnight, it’s our firm belief that the solution that’s right for Richmond relies on a holistic, community-based approach,” the Mayor said. “One that takes into account the roles housing, transit, jobs and social supports play in healthier families and safer streets. One that builds trust from the ground up through collaboration and cooperation.”

The mayor also thanked the many community members and organizations that have played a role in working to prevent gun violence in the city, including Sheryl Garland, Torey Edmonds and Dr. Michel Aboutanos of the VCU Health System, and the staff of the Richmond City Health District, as well as the hundreds of city first responders who show up when the call for help goes out.

And the mayor made a special mention of the unsung heroes who go out of their way to protect their communities and work to resolve conflict and prevent violence, calling it a “team effort” that needs everyone to be involved.

“Somewhere in Richmond, right now, someone, some young man or woman, is alive due to a mentor, a coach, a pastor, a neighbor a big brother or big sister who intervened just at the right moment to help that young person divert from situations that would have placed their life in jeopardy,” the mayor said. 

“To you unsung, unknown, angels, guardians, parents, teachers who have saved the life of a youth that you know, I say, ‘Thank you.’ We all thank you.”

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The city has contracted with Team Henry Enterprises to dismantle and transport to storage the pedestals that previously held monuments to the Confederacy. Pedestals associated with the monuments to Matthew F. Maury, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Jefferson Davis, J.E.B. Stuart and Confederate Soldiers and Sailors and the Confederate Cannon are included in the contract.

The code of the Commonwealth of Virginia gives local governing bodies the authority to determine the final disposition of publicly owned monuments or memorials for war veterans.

The A.P. Hill statue and pedestal are also included in this contract. Specifically, this includes the removal of the cast iron monument and removal of the stone pedestal and all associated materials. The City of Richmond will coordinate the chain of custody for the burial site and remains of A.P. Hill and the required permitting with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Work could last as long as two months, depending on the details of the A.P. Hill removal.

The contract was awarded to the firm that met all requirements while offering the lowest cost to the city: Team Henry Enterprises at $1,495,998.

For the pedestal materials to be stored correctly, they need to be placed on plastic pallets rather than wood ones. To accommodate this change, the city issued a change order and increased the size of the contract by $67,965.17, totaling $1,563,963.17.

The need for pallets and proper storage procedures were identified in the original Invitation for Bid, making this cost anticipated.

Additional costs associated with monument removal and storage include that of the reinternment of A.P. Hill, capital project consultants, storage materials, any legal services contracted by the City Attorney’s office, and a cost share with the Commonwealth for the Lee statue and base transfer. The costs will be covered by operating expenses in the budget of the DCAO of Operations.

Team Henry Enterprises contracted with the city to remove the confederate statues on city land in July of 2020 and with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of General Services to remove the Robert E. Lee statue and pedestal in 2021.

All dismantled pedestal materials will be appropriately documented and stored in a secure location. They will be given to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia along with the statues, according to the decision of Richmond City Council on Monday, January 24.

Pedestal removals will be accompanied by streetscaping and landscaping efforts by the city administration according to approved plans, which may require traffic detouring.

A non-technical summary of plans for each removal site

The medians housing the A.P. Hill monument and Jackson pedestal will be completely removed from their respective intersections. The area will be paved with asphalt.

At the medians housing the Davis, Maury, and Stuart pedestals, all stones associated with the monuments will be removed and grading will take place to direct runoff from the median and into the roadway stormwater system.

At the site of the Confederate Cannon, the pedestal will be removed and the disturbed area will be seeded with grass to match the surrounding area.

At the site of the former Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument, the steps, fence, and curb associated with the monument will be removed and replaced with granite cobblestone paving to match the surrounding area.

Street closures associated with these efforts will be communicated by the Department of Public Works.

With the City of Richmond under a Winter Storm Advisory from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, city staff are preparing for the inclement weather and urging citizens to be proactive about staying safe.

Residents in the City of Richmond could see from one to three inches of snow and feel wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour. These factors pose a threat for downed trees, electrical outages, and major impacts to travel. Plan on slippery road conditions that could impact the Friday evening commute. If at all possible, stay off the roads. If you must travel, know road conditions before you leave and consider keeping a cold weather kit in your car.

To prepare for the forecasted weather, crews from the Departments of Public Works and Public Utilities have begun to pre-treat roads. They will continue to do so throughout the storm. There are over 100 city employees covering snow routes throughout the city.

“Since Thursday evening, city crews have been preparing for any impacts we could see from this winter weather,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “I urge all residents to stay off the roads throughout the Winter Storm Advisory. If you must travel, be cautious and courteous to others. Your safety and the safety of your fellow Richmonders should be the top priority.”

For updates on service impacts and any delays or closures, follow @CityRichmondVA on Twitter.

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The program is made possible by American Rescue Plan Act funds

The City of Richmond’s Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) is accepting applications for the Triple A Business Assistance Program. The program is designed to provide professional, targeted assistance to local, small businesses recovering from the consequences of the pandemic.

“The pandemic has thrown everything it has at small businesses in Richmond, and still they are the beating heart of this city,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “The Triple A program is just one way we’re using American Rescue Plan funding to express our gratitude for the community’s resilience, support its recovery, and keep moving forward.”

Triple A stands for the program’s three core steps: assess, address, and activate.  

1. Assess - Businesses will undergo an extensive assessment tool to identify the firm’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as make recommendations for improvements
2. Address - Upon undergoing the assessment, the business will be assigned a business strategist to develop a business plan that will address the issues and position the business for growth.
3. Activate - Resources are identified and provided to the business to execute the strategy outlined in the business plan to include, if determined, financial assistance.

All activities will be used to build, support, and strengthen businesses. The program will be implemented with ARPA funds and benefit from the expertise of local partners and entrepreneurs.

Businesses interested in participating must complete the program application by visiting https://bit.ly/3IEwKsy. The application deadline is February 15, 2022. Slots are limited for the program. Participants will be selected via a selection committee.

The OMBD will host two information sessions to discuss the program, its requirements, and how to apply. All businesses are encouraged to attend. The sessions will be held virtually on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 12 p.m. and Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 6 p.m. Registration is required in order to receive the Microsoft Teams Meeting link. To register for one of the information sessions, visit https://bit.ly/3I6pFAs.

Qualifications:

1. Business must be physically located in the City of Richmond (Paid Business License);
2. Business must have no more than 50 employees and/or independent contractors;
3. Business revenue must not exceed $750,000 annually;
4. Business must have been in business a minimum of 3 years;
5. Business must be in good standing with the State Corporation Commission (SCC); and
6. Business must be registered with the Office of Minority Business Development.

Businesses can obtain more information about the Triple A Business Assistance Program and other Technical Assistance Programs on the OMBD’s website: www.rva.gov/mbd.

For more information or if you have any questions about the OMBD Business Development, contact LaQuiana Bailey at (804) 646-1875 or laquiana.bailey@richmondgov.com.

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City officials are poised to put forth a new resolution to bring the One Casino + Resort to Richmond.  Empowered with the knowledge that residents want to know how the casino revenue will be spent, city staff proposes a two-cent tax rate reduction and uses the additional revenue for one-time capital improvement projects for Richmond City Public Schools and the City of Richmond.

The infusion of 1500 jobs and millions of dollars in economic growth and development that will help Richmond grow is exactly what many leaders and community members desire.

But it is much more than dollars and cents, it is also about closing gaps and providing relief.  Equity and community wealth gaps can be narrowed with this one project.  As the city continues to work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the casino project can assist with leveling the playing field for many Richmonders who continue to struggle during these uncertain and unprecedented times.  This resolution doubles down on the city’s commitment to creating “One Richmond”.

"Our city needs to explore opportunities that create new jobs, generate new revenues, and create new tourism destinations,” said Councilman Andreas Addison. “This is more than a casino, it’s a new privately funded entertainment district for music, arts, and other amenities in the heart of southside where more investment opportunities are needed. I support the democratic process to explore this project."

While the proposed ideas center around tax rate reduction and capital improvement projects, which are both areas that provide relief for Richmond residents, the main relief can be found in providing jobs for those hardest hit by COVID.  Relief can be found in the revenue being used to address transit mobility issues.  Relief can also be found in the revenue being used to address diversifying the city’s economic engines that can bring sustainable change to Richmond.

"I strongly believe that the revenue from the resort casino project can purposefully be used to provide property tax relief for residents across the city,” said Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert.  Richmond is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.  In fact, in the 3rd district, there are working families, seniors, and other residents on fixed incomes who are unable to pay for their increased property taxes.  They are at risk of losing their homes.  At the end of the day, I think that this project will help mitigate one of our city’s top issues."

Introducing new economic engines into the city is extremely important as the community looks strategically at moving away from being dependent on the government.

“Economic development is a top priority for 2022. A lack of diversity in revenue sources makes the cost of living in Richmond too high,” states Councilwoman Ellen Robertson. “As such, in 2022, we should focus on economic development to include: the Boulevard, Downtown/Central City Small Area Plan, $20M investment in affordable housing, South Richmond 1-95 Gateway and Urban One Hotel Casino Resort - which will create thousands of jobs, reduce real-estate taxes tremendously, and assist with completing facilities and infrastructure development throughout the city.  When we increase employment, increase tax revenue and retail sales, and put community benefits in place that will drastically impact the lives of citizens, we are certainly putting the community first.”

As Richmonders look towards the future of their city, officials have heard the need for more jobs, bringing the right development that benefits all of Richmond, and growing through sustainable economic development.

“The One Casino + Resort opportunity makes sense for our entire community.  Our residents should have the chance to change the narrative of their city and One Casino + Resort helps us do that,” stated Councilwoman Reva Trammell.  “Providing jobs and access is paramount to what we believe in doing in Richmond.  With the One Casino + Resort, we can jumpstart careers, provide access and wealth-building opportunities for those who need them, create spaces for creativity, and provide new educational outlets.  This is what inclusive development looks like – something for everyone.”

While the proposals have to be vetted, it is important to highlight some of the community benefits if One Casino + Resort calls Richmond home –

• No city funding required
• Capital Investment over $560M which can be spent on improvement projects in Richmond City Schools and the City of Richmond
• Influx of 1500 jobs for those who need them most
• $16M to support local community organizations which assists with decreasing the wealth gap
• $325K to support transit mobility solutions which creates more access

Councilmember Michael Jones echoes the sentiments of his colleagues.  “Investment in our community and our people is the key to the casino project.  There is no time like the present to ensure that our residents know we are committed to creating a better Richmond for everyone,” said Councilmember Michael Jones. “While the casino may be housed on the Southside, its benefits will be felt citywide.”

The community benefits encompass all of Richmond therefore all Richmonders win.

“Our residents deserve tax relief and access to good jobs,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney. “They want public infrastructure improvements and more funding for school capital projects. This project provides a unique opportunity to do just that. I know City Council is committed to creating opportunities that uplift and support ALL Richmond residents, and I’m hopeful tonight’s vote affirms this shared commitment.”

This project is about the people of Richmond.  It is about providing security, relief, jobs, and investment which leads to a brighter future for the entire city.

Patrons for the resolution include President Newbille, Vice President Robertson, Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Trammell, Councilwoman Lambert, Councilman Addison, and Mayor Stoney.

The proposed resolution will be introduced at today’s City Council Meeting at 6 PM.