The City’s Minority Business Development invites small business owners to attend the Building Better Business Mentorship program informational session on Wednesday, July 9 at 9 a.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 Main Street. The Building Better Business Mentorship program is designed to help develop the capacity of minority and emerging small businesses. A participating business can expect the following from the mentorship program: ·         A 12- month relationship commitment with an associate who takes active interest in their business success ·         Consultation in a specific, needed area of expertise ·         Business development suggestions ·         A sounding board  ·         One-on-one interaction (by phone or in person) for at least one hour per month ·         A meaningful business relationship with a qualified mentor. · ...

WHO:      Mayor Dwight C. Jones , City of Richmond                 Matt McGee , President, Strickland Machine Company                Jamison Manion , Programs Administrator, City of Richmond’s Workforce Development Program                Thad Williamson , Director, Mayor’s Office of Community Wealth Building                Jakob Helmboldt , City’s Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Coordinator WHAT:        Workforce Development and Social Enterprise Announcement WHEN:       Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. WHERE:     Strickland Machine Company             ...

~ Support learning throughout the community on Summer Learning Day, June 20~ Mayor Dwight C. Jones joins leaders across the country to recognize the importance of learning throughout the summer and encourages City youth to participate in Summer Learning Day. Friday, June 20 is Summer Learning Day, a national advocacy day to spread awareness about the importance of summer learning for the nation’s youth in helping close the achievement gap and support healthy development. “I encourage all City youth to participate in Summer Learning Day by reading for at least 15 minutes this Friday and I am hopeful that our youth will continue to read for at least 15 minutes every day this summer,” said Mayor Jones. “Reading is a wonderful tool that can expand learning opportunities while taking the reader on amazing journeys, provide insightful how-to’s and teach the reader more about our world. I encourage everyone in our community to stop and read 15 minutes a day, every day, especially wi...

Residents are invited to attend the official unveiling of the Mr. Smedley Statue at his new location in Jefferson Hill Park, at the intersection of North 21st Street and Princess Anne Avenue. The unveiling will occur on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. during the annual Union Hill Civic Association Potluck Picnic. Mr. Smedley, also known as “The Street Entertainer”, is a statue of a smiling, tall, lanky entertainer doffing his bowler hat, revealing a mouse perched on his head. The statue was crafted by sculptor John Temple "Jack" Witt and was originally placed in the food court of the former 6th Street Marketplace. The location of Mr. Smedley in Jefferson Hill Park along a walkway, near a lighted entrance, will allow the statue to greet visitors of the park. The statue will also be visible from the right-of-way and will be in close proximity to the park’s playground, allowing interaction between children and the statue, which is the original intent of the sculptor. ...

Inspired by open street projects all over the world, RVA Streets Alive! is about closing streets to cars and opening them to the public -- for one day -- to create a whole new health, sustainable and vibrant city street experience. FREE and open to every to do what you wish -- run, walk, bike, roller blade, WHATEVER! Make sure to check out the vendors lining the streets with free activities for the entire family. RVA Streets Alive! is on Saturday, June 21 and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The route is Broad Street from 2nd Street to N. Henry Street and Brook Road from Adams Street to Leigh Street. Click here to see a map of the route . Any activity that promotes an active and healthy lifestyle is encouraged along the streets which will be closed to vehicular traffic. We are looking for a diverse mix of different sports organizations, active lifestyle groups, preventative health & wellness programs, and any other organization that wants to promote physical activity. To apply to ...

~ Ceremony will also recognize retiring Judge Margaret P. Spencer ~ The Honorable Terence ‘Terry’ R. McAuliffe, Governor for the Commonwealth of Virginia, will be the guest speaker for the Richmond Adult Drug Court graduation ceremony on Friday, June 20, at 1 p.m. at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 West Graham Road. The Honorable Betsy B. Carr, of the Virginia House of Delegates for the 69th District, will present a commemorative resolution to the Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court for the program’s outstanding work in the field of criminal justice for the past 15 years. Additionally, a special presentation will take place honoring the years of service for retiring Judge Margaret P. Spencer; Richmond Circuit Court and Presiding Drug Court Judge from 1998 through 2014. The graduation ceremony will mark the completion of an intensive 18-month outpatient program of drug treatment, probation supervision, judicial monitoring and community service for seven Adult Drug Co...

The City’s Department of Planning and Development Review invites the public to participate in a neighborhood planning effort for the area surrounding Virginia Union University, Brook Road and Chamberlayne Avenue. The public is encouraged to attend Neighborhood Planning Public Meetings and Planning Workshops that will be hosted by the City on June 16 - 19 at the Dovetail Construction Company, 1620 Brook Road.        Public Meeting No. 1:     Monday, June 16, 6 to 8 p.m.        Public Meeting No. 2:     Thursday, June 19, 6 to 8 p.m.        Open Design Studio:     Tuesday, June 17, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.                                             Wednesday, Ju...

The City has received several reports of individuals posing as collections agents working on behalf of the City of Richmond and attempting to collect taxpayer financial information. The individuals are soliciting credit/debit card information from taxpayers for payments on alleged outstanding tax bills. If a taxpayer receives a call that they feel is not legitimate, or has questions regarding their account balances, they should call the City of Richmond Customer Care Line at 3-1-1 (646-7000). Finance representatives can review customer accounts and if an outstanding balance is due, can refer customers to the proper collections agency.