RICHMOND, Va. - City leaders, institutional partners, and community stakeholders gathered yesterday to commemorate a pivotal agreement between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Richmond Flying Squirrels, marking a major step forward in the Diamond District Phase 1A development.

Hosted at Sports Backers stadium, with the future CarMax Park as the perfect backdrop, the event formally celebrated the shared operating agreement that will enable both VCU and the Flying Squirrels to call the new stadium home-cementing Richmond's commitment to sports, community engagement, and inclusive economic growth.

Remarks from City and Project Partners

Mayor Danny Avula gave many thanks and praised the collaborative spirit driving the project forward: "I want to thank VCU, the Navigators, and Angie Rodgers with the Department of Economic Development for bringing everyone to the table and keeping this thing moving forward. It's really a momentous day for us here in Richmond."

City Administrator Odie Donald II emphasized that the ceremony marked an important milestone, including a personal one. "Today's milestone reflects Richmond's long-term vision for equitable and sustainable development. Through collaboration across agencies, institutions, and private partners, we're creating opportunity that touches every neighborhood."

City Council Member Katherine Jordan (2nd District), who represents the area encompassing the Diamond District, acknowledged the collaboration and dedication behind the milestone: "Getting to this stage took so many people working together," said Councilmember Jordan. "I'll keep it brief-I don't want anything to delay these folks signing."

Economic Development Authority Executive Director, Angie Rodgers, highlighted the purpose of today's event: "This commemorative signing recognizes the shared commitment of the City of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and Navigators Baseball, LLC to ensuring the long-term success of CarMax Park through a sustainable partnership that supports educational excellence, community engagement, and economic vitality within the city."

Vice President and Director of Athletics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Edward McLaughlin, added how this is a model of excellence for other cities who have an opportunity to build this sort of public-private partnership in sports:

"This is the model of how it should be, and Richmond is leading the way in doing it."

President and Managing General Partner, Navigators Baseball, LLC, Louis DiBella shared confidence in knowing this day would come:

"I always knew this day would come. It just made sense."

About the Diamond District

The Diamond District is a transformative mixed-use redevelopment project anchored by the new CarMax Park baseball stadium. Phase 1A includes residential, retail, and public space investments designed to strengthen connectivity between neighborhoods and drive inclusive growth along the Arthur Ashe Boulevard corridor.

For more information on the Diamond District project, visit www.richmondeda.com/diamonddistrict.

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is proud to announce the launch of a new dashboard to improve transparency of the City's procurement functions. The dashboard, which published today on rva.gov, is meant to offer clear, accessible insights into the City's stewardship of public funds, and is available to residents, media partners, community organizations, and businesses alike. Councilmember Kenya Gibson's recently introduced ORD. 2025-211, which requires increased public access to procurement data, provided the impetus for the new dashboard.

"This is about building accountability and trust," said Mayor Danny Avula. "When Richmonders can see how we are using their hard-earned dollars to reinvest into their communities, it strengthens confidence in our government and helps us all to feel more connected to the work of serving our community."

The dashboard consolidates links to various preexisting, city-managed data sources which provide up-to-date insights into City contracts, bids (successful or otherwise), requests for proposals, suppliers, and more.

These data sources, including the RVA Open Data Portal, the Minority Business Development Vendor Registry, and OpenGov, are critical to improving trust, creating equal opportunity, and building accountability.

"Transparency is central to the work of the Avula administration," said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. "The Administration and City Council are united in a commitment to transparency, which only happens with the leadership of our partners in City Council. Their vision for a more transparent procurement process is in lockstep with our own and I am so thankful for their work, particularly that of Councilmember Kenya Gibson, in advocating for these solutions."

"The residents of Richmond deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent by the City. To that end, I've introduced ORD. 2025-211 specifically to give the public access to an extensive set of data about the City's procurement functions. This level of transparency is an absolute must, and I'm looking forward to collaborating with the Administration on this ordinance," said Councilmember Kenya Gibson.

The announcement precedes discussion by the Governmental Operations Standing Committee on ORD. 2025-211, amending the section of City Code concerning general requirements of the open data portal. The ordinance includes language to expand the datasets published by the City, an intention accomplished by the City's new dashboard.

Learn more about the City's commitment to a more transparent procurement process and explore the new dashboard: https://rva.gov/procurement-services/procurement-transparency-dashboard.

Richmond, VA - On Friday, October 17, the City of Richmond published "Resilient Richmond," an initial assessment document detailing the City's response to the ongoing federal government shutdown and its commitment to maintaining essential services for all residents. The document, available at go.rva.gov/shutdown, provides transparency about potential impacts while outlining the City's strategic response plan.

Mayor Danny Avula, drawing on his experience leading Richmond and Henrico Health Districts through the 35-day shutdown in 2018, emphasized the city's preparedness. "While this moment brings uncertainty, it isn't uncharted territory. We've navigated this before-and we will again," said Mayor Danny Avula. "My commitment is to stay as transparent as possible and to keep residents informed as we learn more."

The assessment reveals significant potential impacts on Richmond and its residents:

• More than 54,000 residents rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance
• Over 3,000 families dependent on TANF for basic needs
• Nearly $90 million in food and basic needs spending across our local economy-almost all of it from federal funding
• $3.9 million in federal fuel assistance that helped residents through last year's heating season

Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II noted that while essential city services including water, sanitation, emergency response, and waste collection will continue uninterrupted, approximately 160 of the city's 400+ federally supported programs could experience negative impacts from funding delays.

The city has developed a comprehensive six-point response strategy:

1. Mitigating economic harm through a 60-day financial contingency plan
2. Absorbing operational stress while maintaining continuity of essential services
3. Protecting low-income and vulnerable residents through prioritized support
4. Maintaining communication with federal partners
5. Advocating with state and federal officials on behalf of Richmond
6. Providing frequent, transparent communication to all stakeholders

"While the circumstances around the current federal shutdown state are not ideal, the prudent fiscal management and steady leadership of our Mayor and Council have positioned the City of Richmond to continue the consistent delivery of core services and safeguard essential operations during what we hope is a brief impasse," said Donald. "As we navigate these uncertain waters, this report is meant to provide transparency to our public, our partners, and other key stakeholders potentially impacted."

The Department of Social Services, Housing & Community Development, and Public Utilities face the most immediate impacts, with DSS experiencing the largest effect as over half its funding comes from federal programs.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Visit go.rva.gov/shutdown for the full document and ongoing updates
• Follow @rvagov on Instagram and Facebook for real-time information
• Sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts for critical notifications

The city will continue monitoring the situation daily and will provide regular updates as the situation evolves.

Richmond, VA - On October 14, Mayor Danny Avula announced the passage of key measures before City Council that protect core services: the passage of ORD. 2025-207, which maintains the real estate tax rate at $1.20 and avoids $17 million in cuts to essential services.

General property taxes are the single largest source of revenue for Richmond, funding schools, public safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood services that residents rely on every day. Each penny of the tax rate generates $4.2 million in City revenue. Maintaining the rate avoids a potential $17 million shortfall that would impact core services.

"Richmonders expect and deserve stability," said Mayor Danny Avula. "With the passage of this ordinance, we're protecting the progress we've made together - investing in our schools, keeping our neighborhoods safe, and strengthening infrastructure that supports smart growth and opportunity. I'm excited to keep building a Thriving Richmond."

"Richmond City Council voted to keep the Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate at $1.20, rather than increase or decrease it, reflecting its commitment to fiscal responsibility in meeting the needs, priorities, and values of Richmond residents," said Council President Cynthia I. Newbille. "Richmond City Council is committed to building a strong community by ensuring the availability of stable funding for safeguarding critical education, public safety, health, sanitation, roads, social services, and infrastructure residents need to thrive."

"Today's vote is a win for Richmond's frontline workers, working families, and the public services that keep our city strong. Maintaining the current tax rate protects quality services, good union jobs, and the promise of a living wage for the people who make Richmond thrive," said Felicia Boney, SEIU Virginia 512 Richmond Chair.

Council also approved Mayor Avula's ORD. 2025-226 to add at least 246 new units of high-quality affordable homes in Richmond near jobs, transit, public parks, and amenities. "Affordable housing is essential to creating thriving, inclusive neighborhoods," said Merrick Malone, Director of Housing and Community Development. "This project reflects the kind of progress we need to see a real difference in affordable housing to ensure that every resident has access to a place to call home."

Mayor Avula also applauded the passage of another ordinance he patroned, ORD. 2025-191, as part of the RVA Green 2050 initiative. The measure authorizes a 35-year lease for a solar farm and pollinator meadow on a former East End landfill. Community members helped shape the project by prioritizing clean energy and green space. A Community Benefits Agreement will also invest in projects identified by nearby neighborhoods.

Richmond, VA - On October 15, Mayor Danny Avula announced the launch of the Mayoral Action Plan (MAP), a comprehensive roadmap designed to turn his vision for a Thriving Richmond into measurable action. The MAP translates the Mayor's "Seven Pillars of a Thriving Richmond" into specific goals, metrics, and deliverables, creating a clear framework for how City Hall will deliver results, increase transparency, and build trust with residents.

"When I arrived at City Hall, I didn't want to just talk about ideas, I wanted to set a clear vision for the kind of city we could build together," said Mayor Danny Avula. "The Mayoral Action Plan turns that vision into action. It brings clarity, accountability, and transparency to how we serve Richmonders. This is our roadmap to a city that is effective, equitable, inclusive, and forward-looking - a city where all people and places thrive."

The MAP organizes the administration's work around seven core pillars: City Hall that gets things done; Neighborhoods that meet our housing needs; Families where every child can succeed; An economy that leaves no one behind; Inclusive communities where everyone's rights are protected; A sustainable built environment planned for future generations; and Storytelling that heals. Together, these pillars reflect the administration's values and its commitment to equity, good governance, and long-term sustainability.

Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald emphasized the city's commitment to implementation, transparency, and accountability. "It's an honor to support Mayor Avula's vision and desire for a culture of delivery through the Mayoral Action Plan," said CAO Odie Donald. "The MAP isn't just a document, it's how we frame our government to get things done, together. Every department will align its work to the Mayor's 7 pillars and MAP goals, track progress through shared data and dashboards, and connect with residents every step of the way. People first, people always - that's not just a value, it's how we work."

Shannon Paul and Thad Williamson played key leadership roles in developing the Mayoral Action Plan. "The Mayor is elected to shape government in the direction the people want and vote for," said Thad Williamson, Senior Policy Strategist. "The MAP is the bridge between that vision and how staff, led by the Chief Administrative Officer, will get it done."

"The MAP reflects what's possible when everyone - city staff, residents, agency partners, organizational partners - pull together towards a shared vision," said Shannon Paul, Deputy Director. "We all have a role to play in building a Thriving Richmond."

With the MAP now published, the City will begin the next phase of implementation: translating citywide goals into departmental action plans and building transparent reporting through a public dashboard available in 2026.

Read the full MAP here and stay tuned for more information about how the City is tracking progress and achievements.