The City of Richmond’s Office of Equity & Inclusion is inviting residents to participate in the 2026 LGBTQ+ Community Survey, a citywide effort designed to better understand the experiences, needs, and priorities of LGBTQ+ residents and ensure Richmond continues building a community where everyone can thrive.

The anonymous survey supports the Mayor’s Action Plan pillar of Thriving and Inclusive Communities and will help guide decisions about services, partnerships, staff training, and future policy priorities.

“This survey is about listening,” said Aneesah Smith, Equity and Inclusion Advisor for City of Richmond. “Even when communities are resilient and vibrant, there are still barriers that can prevent our LGTBQ+ residents from feeling fully safe, seen, and supported. This is an opportunity for residents to shape how the City moves forward. This effort reflects our commitment to ensuring Richmond belongs to all of us,” Smith added. “We want our data to reflect the real diversity of every corner of our city.”

Smith started in her role last summer and brings more than a decade of experience advancing equity-centered systems change and has long been deeply embedded in regional LGBTQ+ and racial equity work. She was recently appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to the Commonwealth’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, serves on the OutRVA Advisory Committee, and was selected as one of only two City employees to participate in the Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Black and Latino Changemakers Fellowship—recognitions that reflect her leadership across Virginia and her commitment to ensuring LGBTQIA+ initiatives are grounded in systems-level equity.

The survey is designed to help the City:

• Focus resources where they are most needed
• Establish a baseline for measuring progress over time
• Strengthen partnerships with community organizations
• Improve services and training across City departments

City leaders emphasize that participation will directly inform how Richmond continues to invest in inclusive programs and responsive government services:

“At the City of Richmond, we are leaning into ensuring our work is guided by residents’ lived experiences,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, Amy Popovich. “The 2026 LGBTQ+ Community Survey is a key part of that effort, helping us hear directly from LGBTQ+ residents about their needs and priorities. Our teams are in the community every day, and I have the honor of working alongside leaders like Aneesah Smith who are deeply committed to this work. We are intentionally including residents in every step of our design process to build a stronger, more responsive partnership that serves our LGBTQ+ community with care and accountability.”

Community partners believe the release of the LGBTQ+ community survey signals progress:

“The launch of this survey, alongside the appointment of long-standing LGBTQ+ advocate Aneesah Smith as the City’s Equity and Inclusion Advisor, marks a meaningful step forward for Richmond as it continues to become a more LGBTQ+-inclusive city,” said James Milner, Virginia Pride Director, who also serves as Program Director at the nonprofit Diversity Richmond.

“These efforts reflect both the progress that has been made and a clear recognition that more work remains. By pairing dedicated leadership with community-driven data, the City is building a stronger foundation to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ residents and respond with intention, authenticity, and impact.”

Responses are anonymous, quick to complete, and will go directly to the teams working on policy and program improvements across City government. Community feedback will help guide future action and ensure that the City’s work reflects residents lived experiences across Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community.

Residents who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and live in Richmond are encouraged to participate.

Take the survey: https://go.rva.gov/corlgbtqsurvey26        

For questions about the survey, contact: [email protected]

Posted April 27, 2026

~ Current permits expire June 30, 2026 ~

RICHMOND, Va.  – New parking decals for residents of the Fan Restricted Parking District go on sale May 4. Both mail-in and in-person renewal options are available for qualifying residents. The current Fan parking permit expires June 30, 2026.

Decal permit fees:

• Automobile - $25
• Motorcycle - $25
• Visitor passes - $35

Residents must display the Fan permit on their cars to park more than one hour from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and, also on West Avenue, parts of Boyd and Birch Streets, and the 1600 and 1800 blocks of West Grace Street, the regulation is one hour from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Sunday.

A resident is either the residing owner of record or renter of property located within the Restricted Parking District. A City of Richmond Residential Parking Permit Application must be completed and approved prior to decal issuance. To enable the Department of Public Works to verify residency, the following information and photo identification must be provided:

• Residential property owners must provide either a copy of their real estate bill or other information that verifies ownership of the property
• Renters must provide a valid written lease for the property in the Fan Parking District, and have the appropriate approval of the property owner on the application they present

A resident of the district is defined as an owner of record or renter of property in the district and members of their immediate family who reside with the owner or renter at the address in the district:

(1) Who are licensed drivers, and

(2) Whose domicile is the address for which they are seeking to obtain the parking permit

Annual Visitor Passes also are available and limited to two per house or building address at a cost of $35 each.

Annual Visitor Passes must be purchased at the same time the Fan permit is purchased and are restricted to residential homeowners.

Property owners and renters are required to comply with the residency requirements and the motor vehicle registration requirements of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Residents can get more information, verify residency in the Fan Parking District and purchase a permit through the online portal at: https://www.rva.gov/public-works/parking-enterprise

Fan decals and applications are also available at:

City Hall

• 900 East Board Street, Room 102
• Richmond, Virginia 23219
• The office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

For additional details, please use the 3-1-1 mobile app or online portal at www.RVA311.com or call 3-1-1.

The Office of Minority Business Development, in partnership with Fulton Bank, presents From Stable to Scalable, Powered by Fulton Bank. This eight-week business development course is geared toward Richmond-based businesses operating for at least 18 months and is designed to help participants expand operations and build long-term sustainability.

The Fulton Bank series is limited to 15 businesses. Participants must attend weekly Tuesday sessions beginning May 12 and concluding June 23 to receive a certificate of completion. Sessions will be held at Fulton Bank’s Stony Point location from 6 to 8 p.m.

Registrations will be taken on a first come, first serve basis until May 8, 2026. 

“Richmond’s small businesses don’t just drive our economy; they define its character and resilience,” said Patricia Foster, Director of the Richmond Office of Minority Business Development. “With From Stable to Sustainable, we’re going beyond foundational support to help established businesses sharpen their strategies, expand their operations, and build lasting success. By partnering with Fulton Bank, we’re ensuring entrepreneurs have access to practical tools, expert guidance, and meaningful connections that position them to grow with confidence and sustainability.”

To apply for the program, please visit go.rva.gov/stable-to-scalable or contact Lisette Johnson at [email protected].

Re-scheduled for September: 37th Richmond Police Community Academy

Ready to learn more about how the Richmond Police Department serves our community? Join us for the 37th Community Academy, a free, interactive program designed to empower residents with knowledge and strengthen community partnerships.

Participants will gain valuable insight into police operations, including:

Police interactions and procedures

Traffic stops

Suicide prevention and CPR/medical response

Child abuse, sex abuse, and domestic violence awareness

A behind-the-scenes look at public safety agencies

Graduation ceremony upon completion

📞 Apply Today:

Contact Jasmine Perez at 804-646-5158 or 804-750-9645

📧 [email protected]

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and make a difference in your community. Together, we’re building a safer Richmond.

Posted April 22, 2026

WHO:   The Department of Public Works, The Clean City Commission, and The Department of Public Utilities

WHAT:  Richmond E-Cycle Day – More than Electronics! 

 For Richmond Residents, no business or commercial items accepted

WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: 1710 Robin Hood Road (23220) northeast corner of Robin Hood Road and Arthur Ashe Boulevard

BACKGROUND: The City of Richmond’s E-Cycle Day event offers City residents an efficient option to recycle paper, household hazardous waste items and electronics to help keep hazardous waste materials out of city waterways, streams, and rivers. 

This event is available to city residents – proof of residency is required. 

Please note, this is a drive-thru event. Volunteers will remove items from the cars.

Paper Document Shredding

• Up to five (5) boxes of documents
  
  • Be sure to remove all binders, staples, and clips

Electronics (various fees apply)

• Computer systems (hard drive or CPU) and accessories (cables, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) VCRs, camcorders, stereos, and all phones
  
  • Televisions, computer monitors and printers
• Other used electronic equipment (almost anything with a plug - see the online list for clarification, use the link below)
• Get the list of fees and the full list of electronics to recycle
  
  • Go to www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission 

Household Hazardous Waste Items (HHW)

• Oil-based Paint
• Bug spray, pesticides, rodent poison, and herbicides (Roundup, Weed B Gon etc.)
• Latex and water-based paints will not be collected. These items can be left in open paint cans until they have dried out and then put in with regular curbside trash pick-up. 

For more information on recycling or the event, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email us at [email protected]

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA or visit the Clean City Commission’s Instagram page at rvacleancitycommission

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 225 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; urban forestry; civil engineering and capital improvement projects along with the Department of Transportation (DOT). DPW delivers essential services that keep the city clean, safe, and healthy. The DOT plans, builds and maintains the city’s transportation system to ensure safe, reliable, and equitable mobility for all users. The department is responsible for traffic operations, street signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, bike lanes, and transportation programs that support economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Guided by the city’s Vision Zero commitment, the DOT works to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through data-driven policies, street design, and community partnerships. In addition, the DOT issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station and the RVA Bike Share Program. Report service requests to RVA311.com or call 3-1-1.