The City of Richmond wishes everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!

City offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday, September 1. We will return to regular business hours on Tuesday, September 2. Keep reading for information about City service schedules during the holiday weekend.

• Department of Public Works will not conduct trash collection, recycling, or bulk and brush collection on Monday, Sept. 1. All collections will be delayed by one day. Collections scheduled for pick-up on Monday will be picked up on Tuesday and so on through Friday September 6. The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be closed Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 1. The ERRCC will reopen Tuesday, September 3.
• Richmond Public Libraries are closed on Monday, Sept. 1, and will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
• RVA311 will be open Saturday, Aug. 30 and will be closed on Sept 1. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311.com and mobile apps.
• Richmond Public Schools are closed on both Friday, Aug. 29 and Monday, Sept. 1. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
• Parks and Rec offices and community centers are closed Monday, September 1. Pools will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Monday, September 1. For utility emergencies, customers should call 646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.
• Richmond Animal Care and Control is closed on Monday, September 1 and open by appointment only on Tuesday, September 2. It will resume hours on Wednesday, September 3.

Posted August 28, 2025

~ Live music every Thursday in September from 5:30 – 8 p.m.~

RICHMOND, Va. – Main Street Station is celebrating the season with its fall outdoor concert series – Music at Main Street. It’s a month-long lineup of live music every Thursday evening in September from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the historic train station located at 1500 East Main Street. 

This community-favorite event features an exciting lineup of local and regional artists, transforming the station’s outdoor patio into a vibrant, music-filled gathering space each week. 

The concert line-up includes:  

• September 4 

  • Brencore Allstars

• September 11

  • En’Novation Band

• September 18

  • Legacy Band

• September 25

  • E.U. ft. Sugar Bear

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. 

For more information on the Department of Public Works, please visit us at rva.gov/public-works or send an email to AskPublicWorks@rva.gov 

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

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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 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; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and scooter program. 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 August 27, 2025

~ A behind the scenes look at city construction projects happening near your neighborhood ~

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is hosting a first-of-its-kind, public-facing infrastructure showcase to provide residents with an insider’s look at construction projects at RVA Builds: The Infrastructure Information Initiative. This open house event will bring departments across the city together giving residents an opportunity to engage with multiple departments in one location. The event will be held Tuesday, September 23 from 5 – 8:30 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street.

“This is a chance for the community to speak directly with the teams who design, build, and improve our city,” said Bobby Vincent, Director of Public Works. “It’s about transparency and connection. We want residents to understand how decisions are made, how projects are prioritized, and how they can get involved.”

What to expect:

• Information tables
  
  • Talk with engineers, architects, planners, and designers behind major capital improvement projects (CIP) and Lighter Quicker Cheaper Projects
  • Departments include:
  • Public Works and the Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility, Public Utilities, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Planning and Development Review, Economic Development Authority, General Services, and other partner agencies
• Learn about current and upcoming roadway improvements, bridge, park, transportation, special utility projects and other construction
  
  • See maps, rendering, and visuals of projects across the city
  • Special presentations with project overviews
• Question and Answer Session
• Dinner – RSVP needed for the food count
  
  • Please register by September 22 at rva.gov/public-works/rvabuilds

For more information on 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 

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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  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.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond and its partners are honored to have received a 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for its work in building the Small Business Recovery Grant Fund. The fund, which was a public-private partnership funded by the City's Economic Development Authority (EDA), Dominion Energy, and Altria, and administered by the Metropolitan Business League (MBL) and Bridging Virginia, was established to support the City's small business community, impacted by the water outage earlier this year.

"This year's water outage created very real hardships for business owners and employees across Richmond, many of which are still being felt today," said Mayor Danny Avula. "The resulting grant program was designed to provide a measure of meaningful relief in a time of need and, importantly, to show our business owners that they are supported and valued. "This recognition is a testament to the Richmond community, to the power of partnership, and to the compassion which compels every Richmonder to lift up their neighbors in times of need."

IEDC, the nation's largest nonprofit membership organization for economic developers, recognizes projects annually for their impact, innovation, and leadership in the practice of economic development. The Small Business Recovery Grant Fund was specifically recognized in the award's "Recovery, Resiliency, and Mitigation" category.

"Small businesses are the backbone of Richmond's economy, and we're honored to work with the City of Richmond to offer a helping hand in times of adversity," said Ed Baine, President of Dominion Energy Virginia. "This award is a testament to the ability of public-private partnerships to solve important problems."

The fund received a total investment of $500,000 through combined efforts from the EDA, Dominion Energy, and Altria. Following a multi-step review by a panel of public and private partners, grants in the amounts of $2,500 or $5,000 were distributed to 117 small businesses - providing much-needed financial relief to nearly 85% of eligible applicants.

The City is grateful to both MBL and Bridging Virginia for their expertise in administering the program. Their contributions were invaluable to ensure a smooth, efficient process for our small businesses.

"The MBL values our partnership with the City of Richmond and is honored to have contributed to the water relief project," said Floyd E. Miller II, MBL President & CEO. "Through innovative initiatives and strong collaboration, we remain committed to providing financial resources during challenging times, while continuing to support local minority-owned businesses."

"We know that equitable access to capital is essential - not only to recover from crisis, but to sustain and strengthen the small businesses that anchor our communities, care for our neighborhoods, and continue to move our city forward," said Melody Short, Director of Business and Community Engagement at Bridging Virginia.

"This recognition belongs to Richmond's small business owners," said EDA Board of Directors Chair Nupa Agarwal, Esq. "Your resilience, creativity, and determination inspire us daily. The City of Richmond and the EDA remain committed to standing with you through challenges and successes, because when our small businesses thrive, our entire community thrives."

Learn more about the recognition, and explore the other deserving economic development projects, on the IEDC website.

To learn more about what the City is doing to improve our water resiliency, visit rva.gov.

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is proud to announce the appointment of Al Wiggins, Jr. as the new Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Operations. A seasoned local government executive and U.S. Air Force veteran, Wiggins brings more than 22 years of proven leadership experience in city and county governments to the role. Wiggins currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, where he oversees major operational projects, including the City's preparation for the 2026 World Cup, and managing compliance of the city's $750 million Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure initiative.

Mr. Wiggins' recent posts include pivotal leadership roles during some of Atlanta's most pressing operational challenges. He was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Public Works at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and stabilized essential services while leading more than 550 employees and managed a $100 million budget. In Atlanta, Mr. Wiggins emphasized transparency, accountability, and performance optimization by introducing real-time fleet tracking, a centralized command center to improve responsiveness to residents, and quality assurance practices that validated service delivery and cut down on waste. His leadership and operational focus centered on improving community trust, including reducing blight in neighborhoods, responding directly to residents' concerns, and ensuring resources were deployed equitably across service zones.

He was later appointed Interim Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management during a period of environmental and infrastructure crisis. In that role, Mr. Wiggins directed emergency response during widespread water main breaks, launched an AI-driven leak detection program, and led the city back into federal compliance. The Department of Watershed Management has a $1.2 billion capital portfolio, a $700 million operations budget, and a workforce of more than 1,500 employees.

"Mr. Wiggins is an operational Swiss Army knife, a seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience in government operations and public service," said Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer. "His path from exemplary Air Force service to diverse leadership experiences in both cities and counties, and overall knack for service delivery will make him someone the City of Richmond can count on."

"I am honored to join the City of Richmond and contribute to the Mayor's vision for a thriving Richmond," said Wiggins. "Operational excellence is the key to a government that works smoothly and efficiently every single day, and I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the city to deliver the high-quality services that residents deserve."

"I'm excited to welcome Mr. Wiggins to Richmond," said Mayor Danny Avula. "His leadership experience, dedication, and service mindset will round out the leadership team and help us strengthen the city's foundation for a thriving future."

Mr. Wiggins began his public service career as a police officer, later advancing through roles in code enforcement, public works, and executive leadership across the metro Atlanta area. He also served as City Manager of Forest Park, Georgia, where he eliminated a $1 million budget shortfall, reformed the city's pension system, and secured a $42 million Clorox expansion project. As Deputy City Manager for the City of Chamblee, he led a Priority-Based Budgeting program, recovered over $500,000 in unpaid taxes, and oversaw the successful completion of more than a dozen key capital projects.

Mr. Wiggins' first day with the City of Richmond will be August 28, 2025.