Several streets in Shockoe Bottom are being converted from one-way to two-way streets. The planned street conversions are part of the City’s Downtown Master Plan, and were also recommended in the Shockoe Bottom Transportation Study. Phased in conversions have been taking place since 2010. Beginning Saturday, July 25, 18th Street between Grace and Broad will be two-way. Work crews have marked pavement, modified traffic signals and will integrate angled parking within areas of the project limits. Work on 17th Street continues, and conversion to two-way on 17th is expected to follow in the next several weeks. Converting streets from one-way to two-way has been indicated to help businesses thrive, improve walkability, and balance traffic movements with livability. Studies have shown that two-way streets are healthier for on-street retail businesses and expanding visibility. All of the changes support improved vehicular circulation in Shockoe Bottom.  These traffic flow improvem...

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold its 9th Annual CarMax Summer Basketball League championship games on Tuesday, July 28, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 West Broad Street. The league, funded with a $85,000 grant from the CarMax Foundation this year, gives hundreds of city children from ages 10 to 17 the opportunity to play organized basketball throughout the summer. The final championship games at the Siegel Center will be free to the public and events will tip off at 6 p.m. with a basketball skills challenge for league players only. U-10, U-12, U-14, U-17 division games will begin shortly thereafter. A brief ceremony will be held before the start of the games to recognize the CarMax Foundation and media sponsor 106.5 The Beat. Lane Casadonte, sports anchor with WTVR Ch. 6, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the program, and Tom Folliard, President/CEO of CarMax will provide remarks. Since...

The City of Richmond Office of Minority Business Development offers free courses in business start-up and management.  These courses are designed to prepare you to not only start your own business, but learn how to make your start up in the City of Richmond a successful business. Take the first step today and sign-up for our Summer Series of electives and prepare to enter our Richmond Emerging Small Business Series this Fall.  Best of all, its absolutely free! The Power of Advertising: Affordable Ways to Market Your Business July 23, 2015 Center for Workforce Innovation 900 East Marshall Street,  Richmond, VA 23219 Take your business to the next level.   By attending this workshop you will several strategies on how to market your small business, in a cost effective manner. Money Talks: The Bottom Line on Business Communication & Proposal Writing July 30, 2015 Center for Workforce Innovation 900 East Marshall Street,  Richmond, VA 23219 This...

WHO:             Honorable Mayor Dwight C. Jones                         Thomas Wilds, President, Church Hill Association                         City Officials                         Richmond Cycling Corps WHAT:           Opening of 23rd Street between Grace and Franklin streets as the 23rd Street cobblestone renovation project is complete. WHEN:           Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at 2:45 p.m.  WHERE:        Intersection of 23rd Street and Franklin Street Richmond, VA BACKGROUND: Mayor Dwight Jones and Thomas Wilds, President of the Church Hill Association will join in opening 23rd Street between Grace and Franklin streets and to mark the completion of the 23rd Street cobblestone restora...

Food, family, friends, and fun are all part of an Independence Day celebration. As many people are pulling out the grill to celebrate, some are thinking about shooting fireworks or firearms into the air – Both are illegal in the city. In 2014, Brendon’s Law (§ 18.2-56.1) was enacted to implement harsher penalties for reckless handling of a firearm, including celebratory gunfire, resulting in serious injury.  The Richmond Police Department would like to remind citizens of the following: Randomly firing a weapon in the city is illegal. Firecrackers, skyrockets, torpedoes and other fireworks that explode, travel laterally, rise into the air, or fire projectiles are prohibited.   Legal fireworks displays planned at Brown’s Island on Friday, July 3 and Dogwood Dell on Saturday, July 4. On Friday, legal parking is available for a fee at 5th and Byrd streets in the parking deck. Illegal parking will be strictly enforced.  Do not impede the flow of traffic to vi...

The 4th of July is a holiday that includes fireworks as a central part of the celebration. The Richmond Fire Department hopes you and your family have a safe Independence Day holiday and that you enjoy fireworks safely. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks – fires, devastating burns, severe injuries, and even death. Below are statistics and tips of how to enjoy fireworks safely. • In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage.  • In 2013, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,400 people for fireworks related injuries; 55% of 2014 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 38% were to the head.  • The risk of fireworks injury was highest for young ...