On Tuesday, October 2, 2025, the City of Richmond participated in the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Church Hill Tunnel collapse, hosted by the Friends of Jefferson Park and the Church Hill Association. Mayor Danny Avula has also issued a formal proclamation commemorating the event; text can be found in full below:

WHEREAS, on October 2, 1925, a section of the Church Hill Tunnel catastrophically collapsed during a railway upgrade project, tragically entombing a steam locomotive, work cars, and an unknown number of laborers; and 

WHEREAS, this disaster reveals a significant and somber chapter in the history of the City of Richmond, a permanent reminder of the risks undertaken in the building of our infrastructure and the profound cost of progress; and 

WHEREAS, the tunnel was subsequently sealed, leaving a piece of our city's industrial heritage and the final resting place of those lost, preserved beneath the ground of what is now Jefferson Park; and 

WHEREAS, the Friends of Jefferson Park and the Church Hill Association have taken the lead in organizing this commemoration to honor the memory of those lost and to educate the public on this significant historical event;

 WHEREAS, NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dr. Danny TK Avula, Mayor of the City of Richmond, do hereby recognize October 2, 2025, as a day of commemoration for the "100th Anniversary of the Church Hill Tunnel Collapse."

I urge all citizens to pause and remember this event and the individuals whose lives were lost, and I commend the Friends of Jefferson Park and the Church Hill Association for their dedication to preserving this important part of our shared history. 

Dr. Danny TK Avula

Mayor, City of Richmond

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond announced today the opening of a new funding round through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF), providing critical resources to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing units in the City. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all available funds have been allocated.

The announcement comes just over one month after the City awarded $9 million from the fund to support eight housing projects and the City's own Healthy Homes rehabilitation program.

"Affordable housing takes collaboration, and the AHTF is a valuable tool in fostering the relationship between private and public partners to meet one of our City's most urgent needs," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I am hopeful that, with the rolling deadline and technical assistance provided by our Department of Housing and Community Development, we will see new proposals that will advance the affordable housing development Richmonders need and deserve."

Nonprofit and for-profit housing developers are encouraged to apply. Program guidelines and application information can be found on the AHTF webpage here, as can a recording of the AHTF Training Course and Q&A session, presented by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

"We highly encourage every eligible partner in the Richmond area to explore and seriously consider this opportunity, and to put forward proposals that meet the City's urgent needs to affordable housing," said Director of Housing and Community Development Merrick Malone. "Funding allocations like this are critical to the City's ability to keep pace with growth while protecting the ability of longtime residents to thrive in their neighborhoods."

Applications will be reviewed competitively based on alignment with the City's housing priorities, including affordability levels, project readiness, and community benefit, among others. For more information and to submit an application, please visit go.rva.gov/HCDAHTF.

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond illuminates City Hall in pink tonight to mark the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This powerful visual display served as a symbol of support for survivors, a tribute to those we've lost, and a call to action for awareness and early detection.

Throughout October, the City's Department of Human Resources - through its Benefits and Wellness division has organized a series of educational and supportive opportunities for employees, including mammogram appointments, wellness webinars, resource tables, and team engagement around breast cancer awareness. These events are designed to empower City employees with tools to prioritize their health and well-being while also fostering a supportive and informed workplace culture.

"This month is not only about awareness but about creating safe spaces and access to care that supports the whole person," said Director of Human Resources Tyrome Alexander. "As a City, we are united in hope; honoring survivors, remembering those we've lost, and driving progress toward a cure."

The Benefits and Wellness team plays a critical role in strengthening the internal culture at City Hall and exemplifies the "people first, people always" motto championed by Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. Their ongoing work enhances the health and morale of our workforce through proactive initiatives that extend beyond physical wellness to support mental, emotional, and family wellbeing.

These efforts also reflect Mayor Danny Avula's commitment to Thriving Families. Recognizing that when we support the health and wellbeing of our employees, we strengthen the families they go home to each day. A thriving workforce means a thriving Richmond.

This year's programming was made possible through generous partnerships with organizations dedicated to health and wellness, including the American Cancer Society, Cigna Healthcare, Sentara Healthcare, Marathon Health, Airrosti, and the City of Richmond's Office of Sustainability. Additional partnerships include Old Tavern Farm and Agriberry Farm through the COR Produce Stand. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of all available programming this month.

Richmond, Va - On the morning of Tuesday, September 30 the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities will be conducting field tests on the 36" water transmission main along Hermitage Road as part of its water main relocation project. This main is being relocated in coordination with the Diamond District development project and ties into the water distribution systems for Hanover and Henrico Counties. The public utilities teams from Richmond, Hanover and Henrico have been in close coordination throughout this project and will each perform a role in the field tests on September 30. This is to ensure water system stability and resilience while the project contractor ties-in the new, relocated water main to the system - currently anticipated for mid to late October 2025.

The field tests will analyze the water distribution systems to determine if operational adjustments are needed to maintain adequate water pressure during peak demand periods for the tie-in process. The regional team will be closely monitoring and in constant contact throughout this event - which is expected to be complete by 10 a.m. that day. While there are no anticipated water service impacts to citizens, some residents in and around the North Side, Scott's Addition, Chamberlayne, Richmond Raceway, Highland Park and Mechanicsville areas may experience lower than normal water pressures during the tests, from approximately 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., while the regional public utilities teams monitor the systems and make necessary adjustments.

The City of Richmond's Office of Sustainability will host a community meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the East End Branch Library, located at 1200 N. 25th St. "Energy on the East End: Community Conversations", will share findings from a recent energy resilience assessment and invite community feedback on a proposed Resilience Hub to serve East End residents during emergencies.

The meeting is part of the Virginia Energy Resilience Study (VERS), a statewide initiative that provided the city with a $10,000 grant to assess energy vulnerabilities, develop design concepts for a solar-powered hub, and engage residents in resilience planning. Richmond's project focused on Census Tracts 201, 202 and 204, where communities face high energy burdens and disproportionate climate impacts.

The Office of Sustainability encourages East End residents to attend and share their insights. Register to attend here: Eventbrite Registration Link. More information is available at www.rvagreen2050.com.

About the Office of Sustainability:

The Office of Sustainability leads the development and implementation of RVAgreen 2050, Richmond's equity-centered climate action and resilience initiative. The office works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase community resilience to climate impacts, and ensure that frontline communities are prioritized in planning and investments. Its mission is to create a healthy, equitable and climate-resilient Richmond for current and future generations.