First-of-its-kind toolkit provides 25 strategies to reduce dangerous temperatures and protect vulnerable communities

RICHMOND, VA - Mayor Danny Avula and the City of Richmond's Office of Sustainability today announced the release of the Richmond Cool Kit, a comprehensive urban heat mitigation strategy that establishes Richmond as a regional leader in climate resilience. The innovative toolkit outlines 25 evidence-based cooling strategies designed to reduce dangerous surface temperatures, protect public health, and ensure all Richmonders can thrive in a climate-resilient community. "As a public health practitioner, I know that extreme heat poses a real threat to our daily lives," said Mayor Danny Avula. "Extreme heat is deadlier than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined, and the impacts are disproportionately felt across our City. The Richmond Cool Kit gives us the tools to address our climate challenges head-on, protecting lives and saving taxpayer dollars through sustainable design."

Addressing a Critical Public Health Emergency

The Richmond Cool Kit comes at a critical time as climate change intensifies urban heat across the region. Current data shows alarming disparities within Richmond, with some zip codes experiencing vastly different average temperatures and up to a 20-year difference in life expectancy. Recent studies indicate that approximately 40% of heat-related emergency medical responses occur within 100 meters of transit stops, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions.

Comprehensive Cooling Solutions

The 25 cooling strategies are organized into four main categories:

• Urban Greening: Including street trees, reforestation, bioretention systems, mini-parks, and water features that provide both shade and evapotranspiration cooling effects.
• Shade Solutions: From lightweight shade sails and canopies for immediate relief to permanent shade structures and strategic building design for long-term protection.
• Smart Surfaces: Cool roof technologies, light-colored pavements, and heat-resistant materials that reflect rather than absorb solar radiation, reducing surface temperatures by up to 50-70°F.
• Depaving: Strategic removal and replacement of unnecessary impervious surfaces with green infrastructure, as demonstrated by the Science Museum of Virginia's successful conversion of a 381-space parking lot into a 2-acre public park.

Addressing Historical Inequities

The Cool Kit explicitly addresses the connection between past discriminatory policies and current heat exposure disparities. Research shows hat historically redlined neighborhoods experience significantly higher temperatures today, creating lasting climate exposure gaps for low-income communities and neighborhoods of color.

"Cooling down communities is not only a chance to right past wrongs, it means fostering better long-term health outcomes and building climate resilience for future generations," Mayor Avula noted.

Economic and Health Benefits

Beyond immediate health and safety benefits, the cooling strategies offer significant economic advantages. Cool roof technologies can reduce energy demand for air conditioning, alleviating strain on the electrical grid during peak heat periods and lowering energy costs for residents. This is particularly important for households experiencing high energy burden, where Black households in Richmond face energy costs 42% higher than non-Hispanic white households.

Cool infrastructure also extends the lifespan of roads, sidewalks, and other public assets that would otherwise be damaged by extreme heat, saving taxpayer dollars on maintenance and replacement costs.

About the Richmond Cool Kit

The Richmond Cool Kit is available to the public and provides detailed guidance on implementing cooling strategies for homes, businesses, and community spaces. The complete toolkit includes technical specifications, decision-making tools, implementation guidance, and connections to existing City resources and programs.

For more information about the Richmond Cool Kit and to access the complete toolkit, visit www.rvagreen2050.com/richmond-cool-kit.

The City of Richmond is committed to creating a thriving, sustainable, and equitable community for all residents through innovative climate action and community-centered solutions.

###

The Office of Sustainability leads the City's efforts to build a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable Richmond through the RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Action Plan and strategic partnerships with community organizations, regional partners, and City departments.

Posted June 24, 2025

~ Stay alert, work is set to begin June 30, weather permitting ~

RICHMOND, Va. –The Department of Public Works will begin construction next week to replace aging traffic signal equipment on Overbrook Road at the intersections of Tazewell Street and Fendall Avenue. The traffic signal equipment will be removed and replaced with all-way stop controls. Construction timelines include:

• The week of June 30:
  
  • The traffic control signals will be switched to an “all red flashing pattern for one week”
  • New all-way stop signs will be installed at the same time on all approaches

• The week of July 7:
  
  • The removal of the traffic control signals will begin, weather permitting
    
    • There will be intermittent lane closures
  • Once the traffic control signals, poles and other equipment have been safely removed, the all-way stop signs will provide traffic control at the intersections

Reminder guidelines for all-way stop signs:

• Come to a complete stop (even if there are no other vehicles visible)
• Always stop for people crossing the street
• The first vehicle to arrive and stop at the intersection should be the first to go
  
  • If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way

Please give our construction workers extra space and slow down when you see orange cones in the work zones.

For more information on the Department of Public Works, go to rva.gov/public-works or email askpublicworks@rva.gov

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

###

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 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 maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Posted May 20, 2025

~ Theme: Vibrations of the Unbound with Artist Talk and Reception on June 26 from 6 – 8 p.m. ~

RICHMOND, VA – The Gallery at Main Street Station will showcase a new micro exhibit next week, June 23 through June 30. The exhibition will showcase art celebrating Juneteenth, Queer Pride, and Black Music Month.

A special “Artist Talk” will be held Thursday, June 26 from 6 – 8 pm in the Main Street Station Gallery located at 1500 East Main Street. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work. It will include local food and music vendors. The following participating artists will be highlighted during the talk back session:

• Justice Dwight
• Austin Miles
• Ashley White

Additionally, the exhibition includes artwork from the following artists:

• Virginia Coleman
• Jazzmyn Ellis
• Coppere Ford
• MYLO GLOBAL
• Jonah Hodari
• Coury Jamal
• NDEFRU
• Malik Radford
• Tiara Russell
• Melchisedek Shabazz
• Nastassja E. Swift
• Jamel Walker

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

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

###

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 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 maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  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!

Additionally, invites City Council and Henrico's Board of Supervisors to a joint public meeting

Richmond, VA - Mayor Danny Avula today announced invitations to regional partners to join together in conversations and planning about the future of the region's drinking water system. The goal is to form a regional advisory group and explore a path forward to ensure a strong and sustainable water infrastructure for all. The Mayor has invited neighboring localities Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico to join the City in this effort.

The advisory group would build on earlier conversations between City leadership and neighboring localities and recognizes that the future of drinking water in the region is a both an urgent challenge and regional opportunity.

The advisory group will work together to identify regional challenges, align priorities, and build consensus around strategies for drinking water system resilience. "With the launch of this new water advisory group, we are coming together for honest dialogue, shared problem-solving, and meaningful action," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I was elected to fix deeply entrenched problems, and that means working across jurisdictional lines with our neighbors, just like I've done in previous roles. We are closely connected with our regional partners, and it is vitally important that we intentionally plan for a resilient, thriving regional water system. I'm confident that by putting the greater Richmond region at the center of our solution, we can move forward with a shared approach that meets the needs of Richmonders and neighboring localities."

The water advisory group will hold a kickoff meeting in July. Work groups with subject matter experts will convene over the summer and fall to develop initial recommendations. A final consensus report outlining key recommendations is expected in spring 2026.

While the advisory group will include both elected officials and locality administrators, Mayor Avula has additionally invited all members of Richmond's City Council and Henrico's Board of Supervisors to convene a joint public meeting. This dedicated meeting of elected leaders will allow for open dialogue around the distinct needs and priorities of each locality. "The creative ideas, deep experience, and collaborative spirit Council brings to the table will be critical in shaping thoughtful solutions for the region," Mayor Danny Avula said. A public notice of this meeting will be issued in the coming weeks.

Posted June 17, 2025

~ Project dates: July 2025 – Summer 2026, weather permitting; Motorists should stay alert in the work zone ~

RICHMOND, VA – Starting in early July, the City of Richmond Department of Public Works will begin a roadway improvement project in the city’s east end to enhance safety and improve traffic flow. The project will modify and reconstruct the intersection at East Main Street and Williamsburg Avenue between South 31st Street, East Main and Pear Street.

Starting, June 20, the construction team will begin placing notification signage along the corridors to alert residents and drivers about the upcoming project and closure notifications.

All westbound lanes of Williamsburg Avenue will be closed between South 31st Street and the intersection of East Main Street. Additionally, there will be temporary closures at the intersection of South 31st Street and Williamsburg Road, these closures are expected for five months. The East Main/Williamsburg Avenue intersection will remain open to traffic.

Improvements on East Main at Williamsburg Avenue include:

• Realignment of the intersection by revising the dominate traffic flow movement from East Main Street (Route 5) to Williamsburg Road
• Installing new traffic signal with pedestrian crossing buttons
• Installing and reconstruct sidewalks and install ADA accessibility
• Installing new street lighting
• Installing new pavement, signs and markings
• Upgrading drainage
• Widening of Williamsburg Avenue (minor widening)
• Installing landscape

Every effort will be made to minimize impact to the community. Drivers are urged to slow down, stay alert and give our construction workers ample space in work zones.

Weather permitting, this $4 million project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2026. 

This project is in coordination with the Richmond Department of Public Utilities.

For more information on the DPW, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

Project map:

###

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 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 maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1