Posted Mar. 4, 2025

This crucial real estate transaction paves way for the Diamond District public infrastructure and mixed-use development project.

The City of Richmond; Diamond District Partners, LLC (DDP), led by Thalhimer Realty Partners, Inc.; and the City's Economic Development Authority (EDA) are excited to announce the sale and transfer of the 18-acre Phase 1A parcel from the EDA to DDP. A part of the Diamond District redevelopment project, this an important first step in bringing to life a large, sustainable mixed-use development to one of Richmond's budding neighborhoods.

"This is a major milestone in the redevelopment of the Diamond District and would not be possible without strong partnership between the City of Richmond, the EDA, and DDP," said Mayor Danny Avula. "It's the result of hard work by so many people, including staff, City Council, and community and development partners. Their effort has brought us one step closer to realizing an inclusive and sustainable mixed-use Diamond District project that incorporates quality infrastructure and amenities with a true neighborhood feel that Richmonders can enjoy."

The Phase 1A parcel will include six acres of public infrastructure (such as streets and parks), which DDP will convey back to the City and the EDA following completion. Approximately 12 acres will become private development that will include a 180-room hotel, 161 workforce housing units (at 60 percent of the area median income), 730 market-rate housing units, and 30,000 square feet of commercial space (with room to build more if there is demand). Phase 1B and Phase 1C will include an additional 177 affordable units, 625 market-rate units, and 126,000 square feet of commercial space.

"This is another critical step for the Diamond District Project, and one that may not have happened if not for the resolve of our staff, council, mayor and our local development team partners," said City Council Vice President Katherine Jordan. "I'm grateful for everyone's commitment to the project, especially to the Richmonders who helped shape the vision for this dynamic, new mixed-use neighborhood."

The Phase 1A parcel sold for $11.4 million, per the terms of the approved Purchase and Sale and Development Agreement between DDP and the EDA, and an additional payment by DDP to the EDA of $500,000 will help to reimburse the EDA for the costs to administer the Diamond District RFP process.

CarMax Park, the future home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, is under construction and is scheduled to open in 2026. DDP anticipates breaking ground on the public infrastructure components of the project in the coming months as soon as permits are released. The public infrastructure will provide utilities and access to CarMax Park as well as private development parcels.

"Bringing a project like this to life requires cross-collaboration between government and private sector partners to achieve world-class results," said John Molster, Board Chair for the EDA. "I am grateful for the countless hours that city staff and members of the development team have dedicated to achieving this milestone."

"The Diamond District is a monumental undertaking that will drive economic development in the City of Richmond for years to come," said Jason Guillot, General Manager of DDP and Principal at Thalhimer Realty Partners. "While closing on the land represents a major step forward, there are still many innings ahead of us before we can walk our families through the streets of this new, sustainably built neighborhood. As CarMax Park continues to rise out of the ground, Diamond District Partners will begin work on the necessary infrastructure, utilities, streetscapes, and park features that will support the new ballpark and the future community around it. We look forward to the continued partnership with the EDA and the City to implement Richmond's vision for the Diamond District."

Posted March 3, 2025

~ The program provides neighborhoods across the city with two planned curbside clean-up events ~

RICHMOND, Va. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) will kick-off the city’s annual Neighborhood Clean-Up Program Saturday, March 15. Over the next nine months, DPW crews will visit each of the 15 neighborhood zones twice, offering residents a chance to dispose of bulk items and trash at no cost. This program is in addition to the city’s biweekly bulk and brush program.

Details:

• The program is operational on select Saturdays, March 15 through November 15
  
  • See the specific schedule with dates and locations in the chart below
  • Residents can use the DPW Service Finder to verify clean-Up dates for their neighborhood
• All clean-ups are from 8 a.m. until Noon (rain or shine)
  
  • Residents should place items out Friday evening
• DPW crews will collection items curbside and in alleys
  
  • Wherever trash is normally placed to be collected

Examples of acceptable items include:

• Furniture, mattresses, tires (four per household), appliances and brush
  
  • Note: all brush must be cut into four-foot lengths and bundled

Items NOT collected include:

• • Electronics, construction debris, hazardous waste items and glass

For more information, go to rva.gov/public-works/neighborhoodcleanups or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

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

2025 Neighborhood Clean-Up Schedule

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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.

Posted Mar. 3, 2025

Independent investigation provides detailed analysis and recommendations to prevent future water service disruptions

The City of Richmond is releasing the Draft After-Action Assessment report from HNTB, the independent firm investigating the January water crisis that affected residents across the region. This in-depth assessment builds on HNTB's preliminary findings released earlier this month and identifies specific factors that led to the water service disruption, while outlining concrete steps to prevent similar incidents.

What Caused the Water Outage According to the report, the Jan. 6 incident began with a power outage during a winter storm, but was compounded by two critical factors:

1. The water treatment plant was operating in "Winter Mode," which relied on a single power source instead of the more resilient dual-power "Summer Mode."

2. When the main power feed failed, an automatic transfer switch (called a "Bus Tie") failed to activate, preventing power from switching to the second available power source.

This combination of factors led to a loss of power at the plant for approximately 80 minutes, which led to water flooding the plant's basement and damage to essential electrical equipment that resulted in the service disruption.

Immediate Actions Already Taken Under the leadership of Department of Public Utilities Director Dr. Anthony "Scott" Morris, DBA, PE, the City has already implemented several key recommendations from HNTB's reports:

• The water treatment plant now permanently operates in "Summer Mode" with dual power feeds, eliminating the single point of power failure that contributed to the January incident.

• New emergency response protocols have been established for inclement weather events.

• Staffing standards have been upgraded, particularly for critical operations, electrical, and engineering positions during potential emergency situations.

• Inspection protocols for equipment, fuel, chemicals, and systems have been strengthened.

• Approximately $5 million has been invested in critical plant repairs and upgrades.

These improvements have already shown positive results, with the plant successfully maintaining operations through several recent snowstorms without service disruptions.

Next Steps The City is continuing to implement additional recommendations from the report, including improvements to backup power systems, valve controls, communication protocols, and staff training.

A final comprehensive report will follow and will also be released to the public. The City remains committed to full transparency throughout this process and to implementing the necessary improvements to ensure resilient water service for residents.

Download the complete Draft After-Action Assessment Report.

Beginning Monday, March 3, the Department of Public Utilities Call Center will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This modified schedule is shifting from the prior hours of closing at noon on Wednesdays, to now closing at 4 p.m. daily for ongoing training to improve customer service delivery.

The DPU Call Center is available to assist customers by phone at (804) 646-4646 or by email at dpucustserv@rva.gov. There is a five-business-day turnaround time for email requests to prioritize time for research and accuracy.

Customers are also encouraged to visit DPU’s website for billing inquiries as self-service options are available as well.

The DPU customer walk-in centers will maintain normal operating hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations:

• City Hall; 900 E. Broad Street, Room 115
• East District Initiative; 702 N. 25th Street

Posted Feb. 27, 2025

Metropolitan Business League, Altria, and Dominion Energy, and EDA Form New Private-Public Partnership to Support Local Small Businesses

Tonight, Richmond's Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a $250,000 grant to the Metropolitan Business League (MBL) for a new Small Business Recovery Grant Fund. The program will provide grants to small businesses significantly impacted by January's water emergency and will be seeded with a total initial investment of $500,000 provided by the EDA, Dominion Energy, and Altria. Fundraising efforts are ongoing.

"In the face of challenges, we are excited about this opportunity to provide financial relief and ongoing assistance needed to help the Richmond Business Community. It is our collective resilience and shared commitment that will guide us toward helping businesses sustain.  Together, with the support of the City of Richmond and our dedicated financial partners, we will continue to foster growth and prosperity within our community." said Floyd E. Miller II, President & CEO, Metropolitan Business League.

"The water emergency deeply impacted our small business community, and this partnership is an example of how when we work together we can overcome challenges," said City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille. "I want to thank the MBL, Dominion Energy, Altria, and the EDA for the hard work they've put into standing this program up and for leading on this effort. I also want to encourage members of our business and economic development community to consider supporting the program-we all know what a great impact small businesses have on the Richmond region."

Applications for the Small Business Recovery Grant Fund will open on Mar. 17 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Mar. 28, 2025. The MBL, in cooperation with the City's Office of Minority Development, will hold virtual Q&A sessions on Mar. 6 and Mar. 12. Businesses can sign up to attend online. More information about the program, including eligibility criteria, will be available on thembl.org in the coming days.

"Small businesses are the backbone of Richmond's economy, and many experienced significant hardship during the water crisis," said Ed Baine, President Utility Operations and Dominion Energy Virginia. "We're eager to help them recover, and we're grateful for the Economic Development Authority's leadership.

"The EDA is deeply committed to the success of Richmond's small businesses. The EDA thanks the MBL, Altria, Dominion, and the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem for their efforts to help small businesses bounce back," said EDA Board of Directors Chair John Molster. The MBL will deploy the small business grants through the Capital Access Hub. The Hub is a collaborative program between MBL and Bridging Virginia (a Community Development Financial Institution) that aims to close the capital access gap for historically marginalized and underinvested small businesses through a combination of early-stage capacity building, technical assistance for capital access, and network growth.