Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development, in partnership with Fulton Bank, is pleased to announce a new, five-week business growth program, "Positioning Your Business for Success," to equip area business owners with the resources and skillsets they need to build, protect, and expand their business here in Richmond.

The series, which kicks-off on September 25, will be led by industry experts and will cover a range of topics vital to business success, including branding and marketing, safeguarding business assets, understanding the landscape for accessing capital, and more. A full breakdown of the session topics can be found in the on the registration page.

"Owning a business is hard work," said Director of the Office of Minority Business Development Pat Foster. "There are so many moving pieces and complicated processes that are hard to fully appreciate until you experience it. I'm thrilled to be able to support our business community in this way and hope they can find some value in the resources and skillsets this training will provide."

Business owners who attend all classes, in their entirety, will earn a certificate to acknowledge their achievement, from the City of Richmond and Fulton Bank.

This program is free to area business owners, but spots are limited. Interested business owners are encouraged to secure their spot today.

Visit sugeni.us/e2gz to learn more and register.

September 11, 2025

As Mayor, I have made a foundational commitment to building a future in which every city resident lives in a safe, quality and code-compliant home and neighborhood. Our current public housing communities do not meet this basic standard, and we absolutely must develop and deliver a new model of deeply affordable housing for Richmond.

In practice, this means we must:

• Construct better homes for residents of public housing;
• Provide replacement housing choices to all current residents;
• Support residents throughout each stage of the redevelopment process by providing access to housing options, economic opportunities, and education;
• Maintain or increase the supply of deeply subsidized housing units available in the Richmond region;
• Create thriving, economically integrated neighborhoods that do not re-concentrate poverty.

Resident-centered public housing redevelopment will require an extraordinary commitment of time, energy, and financial resources, along with deep collaboration among all partners. Success depends on establishing trust with current residents; ensuring alignment between RRHA, City Council, and the administration; and building broad community support from businesses, philanthropic sectors, and the wider Richmond community. We must also develop a realistic financial strategy that secures funding from federal, state, and City sources to leverage additional private investment.

I appreciate recent requests from RRHA staff leadership to provide support for the Gilpin Court redevelopment proposal. City resources and leadership are essential to the redevelopment process moving forward. However, I cannot endorse RRHA's approach until the following requirements are met:

1. RRHA should use the Jackson Ward Community Plan (JWCP) as its guidance for the Gilpin Court redevelopment, and it will have to seek City Council approval of the plan as called for by the Richmond 300 Master Plan. Deviations from the plans require clear justification, and the opportunity for the public to discuss in a public process prior to its transmission to Council.
2. RRHA should revitalize the Gilpin Informed Residents initiative to ensure residents have access to accurate information and a trusted way to relay feedback and concerns to RRHA. RRHA should work with Gilpin Informed Residents and the Gilpin Tenants Council to develop a Tenants Bill of Rights to ensure residents have rights to return and to access housing options.
3. The Jackson Ward Community Plan states that all 781 Gilpin Court units are to be replaced by project-based voucher units in the Gilpin footprint and across the city. RRHA must confirm that this is still the plan, and if not, explain its plan for replacing each deeply affordable unit in Gilpin Court.
4. RRHA should develop and distribute materials very clearly showing the projected timeline for redevelopment and the critical steps leading to redevelopment; housing options for Gilpin residents; and services and resources available to Gilpin residents before, during, and after redevelopment.
5. Those supports should include, for instance, ensuring all Gilpin Court residents have adequate information and opportunity to become lease compliant and hence eligible for housing vouchers, as well as holistic family-based connections to workforce development, educational, and health services. RRHA must make every effort to assure all Gilpin residents receive robust support, regardless of current lease compliance status.
6. RRHA should withdraw its proposal to convey Gilpin Court to Richmond Development Corporation (RDC) until major concerns about RDC's governance structure are addressed. It is concerning that the majority of RDC board seats are held by RRHA staff members. The majority of the board should be long-term community stakeholders, and the City of Richmond should have permanent representation on the board.
7. RRHA should establish, in collaboration with the City of Richmond, an ongoing Jackson Ward Community Plan Steering Committee to provide advice, ensure implementation, and celebrate the achievements of the project. This steering committee should be comprised of the Gilpin Informed Residents, Gilpin Tenant Council members, Jackson Ward community members, City of Richmond staff, and other community stakeholders.
8. Upon request, RRHA must commit to providing the City detailed financial information; detailed information about resources and programming available to residents of Gilpin Court and other RRHA communities; and detailed information about the physical condition of RRHA properties.

As Mayor, it is incredibly important to me that discussions about Gilpin Court are carried out in a spirit of respect. Our City Council members have a responsibility to ask hard questions, and community members have every right to engage fully in this process. Unfortunately, for too many Richmonders, and especially Gilpin residents, there is not clarity about the goals of redevelopment, nor is there understanding about the specific action steps required to achieve success. Our city's families deserve better.

Our ultimate goal is to re-integrate historically isolated public housing communities into the broader fabric of our city. If we are serious about building a Richmond that truly thrives together, then we must be just as thoughtful about how we engage as we are about the outcomes we seek. For Gilpin's redevelopment to succeed, it must be rooted in healing and hope. The eight action items outlined above are important first steps toward ensuring this project moves forward in a way that reflects our values and strengthens our community.

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond has earned national recognition from the NAFA Fleet Management Association for its leadership in clean and sustainable transportation.

In August, City officials were presented with the Best Electric Vehicle Policies 2025 award at this year's Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The recognition acknowledges the City's Electric Vehicle Replacement Policy, EV equipment operating procedures and practices, and related fleet electrification efforts, including five holistic EV charging contracts and the City's electric vehicle policy developed by the interdepartmental Joint Energy Team. These policies and procedures have been broadly implemented over the past year to improve efficiency and advance sustainability goals.

"We are honored to be considered a national leader in the shift toward electric," said Mayor Danny Avula. "And, although we are proud of how far we have come, we remain committed to forward progress and will continue to invest in policies that reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and deliver on our promise for thoughtful environmental stewardship."

In addition to its recognition for electric vehicle policies, the City was ranked 16th on NAFA's list of the country's top 50 green fleets (and 1st in the Commonwealth of Virginia), jumping more than 20 spots from 2024 (37th), the first year the City broke the top 50 list. The distinction demonstrates Richmond's progress in fleet electrification, fuel reduction, and broad implementation of sustainable practices.

"This achievement reflects a great deal of hard work from officials in both our Office of Sustainability and the Department of General Services, as well as a number of external stakeholders," said Director of the Office of Sustainability Laura Thomas. Moving from 37th to 16th in just one year is a tremendous achievement and is a testament to just how seriously we are taking our sustainability efforts."

To learn more about the City's commitment to a more sustainable future, please visit https://rva.gov/sustainability. 

About NAFA

NAFA Fleet Management Association is the world's largest membership association for individuals who manage the vehicular fleet and mobility responsibilities for their employers. NAFA propels the fleet and mobility profession through its world-class certification, education, advocacy, and connections. Through these resources, NAFA helps its members create efficient, sustainable, and safe fleets. The association is an essential element of success for individuals involved in the profession.

Posted September 10, 2025

~ New Safety Upgrades Support the City’s Vision Zero Commitment~

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin installing raised crosswalks at five major intersections along Midlothian Turnpike, a key corridor on the city’s High Injury Network. Construction is slated for fall 2025, weather permitting. 

The raised crosswalks are planned at the following intersections between Roanoke Street and Hull Street: 

• Midlothian Turnpike at 36th Street
• Midlothian Turnpike at 33rd Street
• Midlothian Turnpike at 31st Street
• Midlothian Turnpike at 30th Street
• Midlothian Turnpike at 28th Street

This infrastructure improvement project is a significant step in advancing Richmond’s Vision Zero goals, which aim to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. 

“Raised crosswalks are a proven tool in our efforts to create safer, more equitable streets, while still maintaining access for emergency response.” said Michael B. Sawyer, City Transportation Engineer. “Through strategic quick build solutions like these, we are moving toward a future where no one loses their life or loved ones to traffic-related crashes in Richmond.”

Raised crosswalks, also known as speed tables, are a cornerstone of Richmond’s Vision Zero initiative. By physically encouraging drivers to reduce speed, these installations can lower vehicle speeds by 18 to 50 percent and reduce collisions by up to 28 percent, significantly improving safety for people who walk or roll across Midlothian Turnpike. This project will improve safe access and quality of life for Southside residents of all ages and abilities.

Residents are invited to learn more about transportation and construction projects across the city by attending RVA Builds: The Infrastructure Information InitiativeEvent on Tuesday, September 23 from 5 – 8:30 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 Main Street. This event will provide residents with a unique opportunity to connect with city staff, ask questions and engage with plans shaping Richmond infrastructure future. RSVP today at rva.gov/rvabuilds

To learn more about Vision Zero, visit rva.gov/visionzero to explore resources, safety initiatives, and interactive data dashboards tracking progress toward eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Richmond. 

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

Posted September 10, 2025

~ Stay alert, work is set to begin October 6, weather permitting ~

RICHMOND, Va. –The Department of Public Works will begin construction to replace aging traffic signal equipment with all-way stop controls at the following intersections:

• 4th Avenue at Brookland Park Boulevard

• 4th Avenue at Magnolia Street

• Meadowbridge Road at Carolina Avenue/Woodcliff Avenue

The week of October 6, weather permitting:

• 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 October 13, weather permitting: 

• 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

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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 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