Posted November 21, 2025

~ Family-friendly event featuring arts and crafts, unique gifts from local artisans, and more ~

RICHMOND, VA – The Department of Public Works is excited to announce its 2nd Annual Main Street Station Holiday Magic Open House, a community celebration filled with festive activities, seasonal treats, and holiday cheer. The event will take place Sunday, December 7 from 12 – 5 p.m. at Main Street Station, located at 1500 East Main Street. 

This year’s event expands on last year’s success with more family-friendly, interactive holiday experiences and fun. Exciting new attractions include:  

• Petting Zoo
• Face Painting
• DPW Trash Truck and Fire Truck Showcase
• GRTC Articulated Bus on-site experience
• Live music by the All City Band
• The following two activities are ticketed events, please purchase tickets in advance at: https://www.thesweetestthingrva.com/
  1. Cookies & cocoa baking workshop for kids provided by The Sweetest Thing in MSS kitchen
  2. Cookies & mocktails workshop for adults provided by The Sweetest Thing in MSS Kitchen 

Returning favorites include:

• Children’s Arts and Crafts in partnership with the Visual Arts Center of Richmond
• Shopping experience with local artisans and crafters offering unique gifts
• Gift wrapping service
• Holiday music and caroling
• Warm seasonal beverages provided by The Len
• Vendor Market in partnership with Richmond Night Market

Following the Holiday Magic Open House, guests are invited to stay for a special outdoor screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on the patio from 6 - 8 p.m. Bundle up, bring a cozy blanket, and enjoy a holiday classic under the stars!

For more on Main Street Station, go to www.mainstreetstationrichmond.com

We’re Social! For updates on activities and events visit us on (X) @DPW_RichmondVA

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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; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond. The Department’s mission is to provide a clean, safe, and healthy environment.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Main Street Station (MSS) is owned and operated by the Department of Public Works. Built in 1901, the station is centrally located in the heart of the city and is a historic transportation hub offering a blend of modern amenities, historic charm and classic, stunning architectural design. It features a grand central atrium, intricate stonework, head house, train shed, outdoor space (and patio), and a distinctive clock tower creating a lasting impression of Richmond along the I-95 corridor. This historic venue offers a unique setting for both public and private events. It provides Virginia and the northeast corridor a unique world-class event space that includes 47,000 square feet enclosed in glass, providing breathtaking views of downtown Richmond. It’s a top venue for weddings and events, appearing on numerous “best of” listings. Main Street Station serves as a key point for both Amtrak and local commuter rail services. The station is a vital connection to the region’s transportation network which include partnerships with bus services, such as, GRTC Pulse Bus Rapid Transit, Greyhound and various Megabus services. It also offers bike paths connecting to the Virginia Capital Trail. Described as an “architectural gem” by the United States Postal Service, MSS was selected and featured on a postage stamp!

The City of Richmond will close in observance of Thanksgiving beginning Wednesday, November 26. All city offices, including City Hall, will be closed. We will return to our regular business hours on Monday, December 1. Keep reading for impacts to city services during the holiday:

• Department of Public Works offices will be closed Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28.
• Household trash and bulk and brush collection will operate normally Monday, November 24, through Wednesday, November 26. There will be no trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Thursday, November 27. Collection will resume on Friday, November 28, for routes normally collected on Thursday.
• The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be on a regular schedule Monday, November 24, through Wednesday, November 26. It will be closed on Thursday, November 27 through Saturday, November 29. ERRCC will reopen on Monday, December 1.
• CVWMA recycling will not be collected on Thursday, November 27. It will be delayed by one day and recycling will be picked up on Friday, November 28.
• All Richmond Public Library locations are closed Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28. They will reopen on Saturday, December 1.
• RVA311 will be closed on Wednesday, November 26, through Saturday, November 29 and will reopen on Monday, December 1. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311 and the mobile app.
• Richmond Public Schools are closed Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28. Schools and offices will reopen on Monday, December 1.
• All Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities offices and community centers are closed for recreational activities from Wednesday, November 26 through Saturday, November 29. They will reopen on Monday, December 1.
• The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28. For utility emergencies, customers should call 804-646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.
• Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28. RACC will reopen with regular walk-in hours on Saturday, November 29.

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to show gratitude and to serve our communities. For opportunities to connect and serve this holiday season, please explore Mayor Avula's "A City that Serves" webpage. 

For the City of Richmond's full holiday schedule, please visit rva.gov/holiday-closings. 

RICHMOND, Va. - The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC), in partnership with the City of Richmond's Economic Development Authority (EDA), today announced the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the design and delivery of a new Downtown Transfer Hub and accompanying mixed-use overbuild. The solicitation marks a major step toward transforming a key site within the City Center Innovation District into a modern transit anchor and vibrant mixed-use destination.

The RFQ was released today. A virtual pre-response conference is scheduled for Monday, December 1, and a Q&A period will remain open until Monday, December 8. RFQ responses are due on January 30, 2026.

Located on a ~3-acre parcel formerly home to the City's Public Safety Building (500 N. 10th St.), the project sits at the convergence of GRTC's East-West routes and the planned North-South Pulse Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. The selected developer will help advance a two-phase vision:

1. A state-of-the-art, 10-bay Downtown Transfer Hub with rider amenities and operator support spaces.
2. A private mixed-use overbuild that may include residential, commercial, retail, and other placemaking components.

"This project represents the kind of bold, future-focused investment that helps Richmond grow equitably and sustainably," said Mayor Danny Avula. "By strengthening our transit network and activating a critical downtown site with new housing, retail, and public space, we are setting the stage for a more connected, innovative, and people-centered Richmond. I look forward to continued progress as we build a more thriving urban core."

The solicitation seeks qualified and financially capable development teams to deliver both the public transit facility and the private overbuild. Public funding for the transit component is secured or advancing toward approval, and additional financing tools will be available to support the mixed-use development.

Building on the shared vision for equitable access and high-quality transit, GRTC and the Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility (OETM), led this effort to address longstanding inequities across the transportation network. "The GRTC Downtown Transfer Hub is a key initiative supported by Richmond Connects for the development of a dedicated off-street transfer location for bus riders," said Dironna Moore Clarke, Deputy Director of Public Works (OETM). "By integrating a modern transfer hub with mixed use development, we are creating a destination that supports riders, encourages investment, and strengthens the economic heart of the region," said Adrienne Torres, Chief Development Officer, GRTC.

The new Downtown Transfer Hub will replace outdated facilities with modernized operations and enhanced passenger amenities. The project is also strategically aligned with future expansions of GRTC's BRT network.

"This is monumental for GRTC," said Sheryl Adams, Chief Executive Officer of GRTC. "The Downtown Transfer Hub will improve reliability, efficiency, and safety across our system while offering riders a comfortable, high-quality experience. We are proud to lead this effort and to partner with development teams who share our commitment to thoughtful, transit supportive design."

"This is more than a transit project-it's an economic development catalyst," said Angie Rodgers, Director of the Department of Economic Development. "The Downtown Transfer Hub will bring new energy and activity to the heart of the city, while the mixed-use overbuild will create opportunities for housing, entrepreneurship, and job growth. We are ready to collaborate with partners who can help maximize public and private value through thoughtful, high-quality development."

The City and GRTC expect to issue the Request for Proposals in Winter 2026, with final developer selection and negotiations completed by the end of 2026.

Interested parties can access the RFQ here.

On Wednesday, November 19, Mayor Danny Avula presented to the Richmond and Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) Board of Commissioners. View the full presentation and read his reflections below:

"As Mayor, I am committed to building a future in which every resident lives in a safe, high-quality, code-compliant home in a thriving neighborhood. The future of public housing in Richmond is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a city. We have a real opportunity to build a different model - one that expands opportunity for families, strengthens our neighborhoods, and engages and supports residents every step of the way.

The message I shared tonight with the RRHA Board of Commissioners was simple and heartfelt: redevelopment must be rooted in dignity, stability, and opportunity for every current resident.

To achieve that, we need two key ingredients. First, a shared governance model that brings the City, RRHA, Gilpin residents, and community partners to the table as equals to guide decisions and ensure transparency. Second, a great People Plan that guarantees every family access to high-quality housing, support to remain lease-compliant, and connections to childcare, education, workforce opportunities, and health resources.

If we pair shared governance and a great People Plan with the redevelopment work ahead, we can set a new standard for resident-centered public housing transformation and ensure Gilpin families remain at the heart of Gilpin's future."

-Mayor Danny Avula

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (https://twitter.com/DPUStreetNews)  
 
WHAT: Hollywood Interceptor Sanitary Sewer Bypass Work

WHEN:  Monday, November 17 through February 2026, weather permitting from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm each day.

WHERE: 300 – 500 blocks of Tredegar Street

PROJECT SCOPE:  Wastewater Improvements

PROJECT IMPACTS: Starting Monday, November 17, crews began preparing traffic for wastewater improvements and repairs at the 300 - 500 blocks of Tredegar Street. The repair work will commence once this week and will take place from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm through February 2026. Traffic control measures will be in place as an eastbound lane closure has been implemented between Brown’s Island Way and S. 5th Street and will remain until the project is fully complete. 

Access will be provided throughout the work zone in the westbound lane only. Pedestrian access between Brown’s Island and the Belle Island Parking Lot will be provided as well as access to the American Civil War Museum. The James River boat ramp will remain open for emergency access only. This project is expected to be completed in three months, weather permitting and barring any other unforeseen circumstances.

For these and other utility related street closures follow us on Twitter @DPUStreetNews. For the most up to date information on utility work impacts in their area, citizens are encouraged to sign up for CivicReady to receive alerts.