City News

Press Releases and Announcements

City announces Presidents' Day Closures

The City of Richmond will be closed Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. All city offices, including City Hall, will be closed. We will return to our regular business hours on Tuesday, February 17.  Keep reading for impacts to City services. For the full list of 2026 observed holidays, please visit the City's Holiday Closures page.  

  • There will be no trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Monday, February 16. 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, February 20.
  • The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be open on Saturday, February 14, and will be closed on Monday, February 16. ERRCC will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.
  • Recycling services will operate as normal on Monday, February 16.
  • All Richmond Public Libraries are closed on Monday, February 16, and will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.  
  • RVA311 will be open Saturday, Saturday, February 14, and will be closed on February 16. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311.com and mobile apps.
  • Richmond Public Schools and offices are closed on February 16. They will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.
  • All Department of Parks and Recreation offices and community centers are closed Monday, February 16.   
  • The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Monday, February 16. For utility emergencies, customers should call 804-646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.  
  • Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed on Monday, February 16. RACC will reopen by appointment only on Tuesday, February 17, and will have regular walk-in hours on Wednesday, February 18. 

Registration Live for Remaining Engage RVA Budget Town Halls

Join City Leaders for an Upcoming Interactive Budget Strategy Session.

Registration is now live for the remaining sessions of Engage RVA , a Budget Town Hall series which invites residents to learn more about the budget process and share input on the City’s funding priorities.  

The town halls feature engaging, interactive sessions to walk residents through the budget process, including how revenues are allocated, how funding decisions are made, and how community input will be considered and incorporated into the proposed budget.  

Please see below for information on the remaining townhalls. Registration is required to participate; links can be found in the below and online at go.rva.gov/engage .  

Date Time Location Registration
February 17 6:00pm-8:00pm Huguenot High School (7945 Forest Hill Ave.)  Link 
February 21 12:00pm-2:00pm CLOSED YOUTH SESSION  N/A
February 28 10:30am-12:30pm Annie E. Giles Resource Center (1400 Oliver Hill Way)  Link 
February 28 2:00pm-4:00pm Hickory Hill Community Center (3000 E Belt Blvd)  Link 

Spanish language interpretation will be available at Huguenot and Hickory Hill town hall sessions. ASL interpretation will be available at the Hickory Hill session.

Virtual Town Hall 

For those unable to attend in-person, a recording of the budget town hall presentation is now available online. Residents are encouraged to watch the recorded session in its entirety and then take the budget prioritization survey.  

Data from this survey will be compiled with data points from our in-person sessions and will be shared with the Mayor and City Council during the budget process as a step towards bringing that process closer to the needs and values of our communities.  

About the City’s Budget 

The City’s annual budget supports core services and investments, including public safety, housing, infrastructure, schools, parks, neighborhoods services, and more over a fiscal year period (July 1 – June 30). Every March, the Mayor is required to submit a budget proposal to City Council for consideration. The proposal aligns funding with administrative and Council priorities and once approved by City Council, allows the City to execute funds against those priorities. 

City of Richmond Announces Deactivation of Extreme Weather Warming Center

Today, the City of Richmond, in coordination with local and regional partners, announced the deactivation of the  Extreme Weather Warming Center located at the Linwood Robinson Senior Center (700 N. 26th Street) effective  Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 9 a.m.  due to improving weather conditions and reduced risk of extreme cold exposure. This deactivation does not impact the services at the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter or the CARITAS Overflow Shelter.

“The Extreme Weather Warming Center reflects our city’s commitment to protecting our most vulnerable residents during extreme weather”,  said Mayor Danny Avula . “I am deeply grateful to the staff, volunteers, and community partners who stepped up to ensure our neighbors had a safe and warm place to go. While we are encouraged by improving conditions, we remain ready to respond quickly whenever our community’s safety is at risk.” 

“Through the activation of our extreme weather warming centers,  an average of 50 residents per night over ten days had access to a safe, warm space in between Winter Storms Fern and Gianna, and throughout the extended period of extreme cold. This effort reflects the strength of our partnerships and the dedication of our staff and volunteers, who worked tirelessly to ensure everyone in need had the opportunity for safety in dangerous conditions,”  said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Amy Popovich . “While these warming centers are now deactivated, we remain committed to monitoring conditions and mobilizing resources quickly to protect our residents whenever severe weather threatens our community.” 

The extreme weather warming centers were activated in response to the Winter Weather and Cold Weather Advisories issued by the National Weather Service. Once the weather advisory condition definition has been resolved, the extreme weather warming center is deactivated. The City of Richmond continues to encourage residents to remain attentive to changing weather conditions and to check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with limited resources. 

Individuals in need of shelter or assistance can contact the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care  at 804-972-0813 or visit the Office of Homeless Services website. Residents can also contact 3-1-1 for shelter updates and information about available services. Residents are also able to continue to utilize Richmond Public Library locations during normal business hours  as warming location option.  

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New Jahnke Road Project focused on Safety and Mobility Improvements

Posted February 10, 2026

 

~Construction is expected to be completed by Spring 2028, weather permitting ~

  

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works will begin construction on the Jahnke Road Improvements Project in late February, weather permitting. Construction will take place along Jahnke Road between Blackmore Road and Forest Hill Avenue. Completion of this $42 million project is expected by spring 2028. 

Key improvements include: 

  • Roadway: Two 11-foot travel lanes with a center median, dedicated left-turn lanes, and a new curb-and-gutter drainage system  
  • Pathways: An 8-foot multi-use path on the north side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the south side will be constructed
  • Streetscape: Landscaping, and safety improvements at the rail crossing shall be installed
  • Traffic Control: A new signal will be installed at Forestview School Drive with automated crossing gates at the CSXT rail line
  • Utilities: City water, gas service lines are also included as well as underground storm sewer

“This project reflects years of planning, designing, and public engagement to create a safer space for all users,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The improvements prioritize pedestrian safety while strengthening our transportation network for the entire community."

“Jahnke Road’s upgrade is a part of the city’s increased Vision Zero efforts for pedestrian safety,” said Department of Transportation Director Andy Boenau. “Sidewalks and shared-use paths provide critical access to GRTC’s free public transit, which makes the bus an extension of walking.”

Roadside message boards will be in place to notify the public with the project start date. During construction, residents and businesses may experience minor disruptions, but every effort will be made to minimize inconveniences. The contractor will provide continued access for patrons and deliveries to businesses. Please be patient and give construction workers extra space and slow down when you see orange cones and work zones.

This project supports the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan by using our complete streets approach. This process was driven by community input through public engagement. Community feedback provided valuable input throughout the design process.

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

 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 225 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; civil engineering and capital improvement projects along with the Department of Transportation (DOT). DPW delivers essential services that keep the city clean, safe, and healthy. The DOT plans, builds and maintains the city’s transportation system to ensure safe, reliable, and equitable mobility for all users. The department is responsible for traffic operations, street signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, bike lanes, and transportation programs that support economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Guided by the city’s Vision Zero commitment, the DOT works to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through data-driven policies, street design, and community partnerships. In addition, the DOT issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station and the RVA Bike Share Program. Operating budgets for both departments come from the general fund of the City of Richmond. For more information about services, click here or call 3-1-1

Public Notice: Electoral Board Meeting

Public Notice:

The Richmond City Electoral Board will hold a public meeting with the following details:

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: 2134 W. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227

This notice is being provided to alert the public that an Electoral Board meeting is scheduled. The agenda for this meeting will be posted once it has been reviewed and approved by the Electoral Board.

Please note that the agenda is subject to change. Items may be added, removed, or modified prior to or during the meeting, as permitted by law.

Additional updates related to meeting logistics will be communicated as necessary should weather conditions require further adjustments.

For questions regarding this meeting, please email us at [email protected]

Meeting Agenda - 02/25/26

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