~Scores range from 0 to 100, or failed to good~ The City of Richmond’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is now making Pavement Condition Index Ratings (the PCI Rating) of every street within the city limits available to the public. The interactive map will be updated as paving projects are completed. The PCI Rating is one of several tools the City of Richmond now uses to prioritize and track its paving program and other infrastructure work. “This is another way we keep the public informed,” said Richmond’s DPW Director Bobby Vincent. “It’s a great tool now available for citizens to use and track the progress of our transportation infrastructure maintenance.” Other factors that aid in paving prioritization include information about utility projects, economic development projects and closures of streets that play host to multiple special events on an annual basis. The application is available on the city’s website here .

The Facilities Plan adopted by the Richmond City School Board in December of 2017 including the following estimates for new school construction:     •    George Mason Elementary School:          $25 million     •    E.S.H. Greene Elementary School:          $35 million     •    New Middle School on Hull Street:           $50 million
 These estimates have been updated now that the procurement process for the design and construction of all three schools has concluded:     •    George Mason Elementary School:          $36 million     •    E.S.H. Greene Elementary School:          $42 million     •    New Middle School on Hull Street:           $62 million It is now clear the initial estimates, provided in 2017, under-represented the true cost of construction. Both RPS and the city had concerns this might be the case, which is why both entities discussed engaging a third party to evaluate the costs of rebuilding and/or renovating all RPS schools. The RPS administration brought this prop

Motorists who drive regularly around Richmond will need to take note of some changes in speed limits in some areas. In accordance with Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s Safe and Healthy Streets Challenge and the Vision Zero initiative, the Department of Public Works, Richmond Police Department and VCU Police are teaming up to promote the Mayor’s message as safety projects are underway. Speed reductions from 35 mph to 25 mph on US Route 1 include: •    Jefferson Davis Highway from Albany Avenue to Hull Street •    Cowardin Avenue from Hull Street to Semmes Avenue •    Belvidere Street from Idlewood Avenue to Leigh Street The decision to lower the speed came as a result of modifications in the GRTC Bus Network; higher density land use and the growth of VCU; exposure of pedestrians and cyclists to higher than average traffic volumes and wide crossings; and new signal timings that promote safer speeds and less illegal speeding.  Speed reductions from 35 mph to 30 mph also include Forest Hill Avenue/

Mayor Levar M. Stoney will be hosting community town hall meetings over the coming weeks to discuss his proposed FY2020 budget. The mayor presented his fully balanced budget to Richmond City Council on Wednesday, March 6, which includes an investment of $18.5 million for Richmond Public Schools, $16.2 million for roads and sidewalks, $2.9 million for affordable housing, an additional $965,000 for increased GRTC service and $485,000 in funding for eviction diversion. Click here to view the presentation shown at each meeting. Below are the scheduled Town Hall meetings: Thursday, March 21 7 – 8:30 p.m. Southside Southside Community Center 6335 Old Warwick Rd. Wednesday, March 27 6:30 – 8 p.m. West End Thomas Jefferson High School 4100 W. Grace St. Tuesday, April 2 6:30 – 8 p.m. Northside Northside Family YMCA 4207 Old Brook Rd. For more information, please contact Tameka Jefferson at   Tameka.Jefferson@richmondgov.com   or call (804) 646-6936.

The City Treasurer’s Office is proud to announce the Inaugural Financial Literacy Fair to be held on Friday, April 5, 2019 from 10 am – 3:30 pm in the lobby of City Hall.  Richmond city residents can earn chances at prizes by attending workshops on budgeting, savings and banking 101.  Financial counselors will also be available during the fair to talk through questions and issues individually with attendees. The event will include remarks from the Mayor, Treasurer and other city officials. City Departments, GRTC and other organizations will have tables making information and resources available to give participants confidence in their financial decisions. The purpose of this fair is to empower the citizens of Richmond to take more control of their finances and begin the initial steps needed to build personal wealth. The mission of the Richmond City Treasurer's Office is to inspire, encourage, and pursue the high possibilities of potential in others through the elimination of f

Dear Richmond Resident,  We want to hear from YOU! We would greatly appreciate you taking the time to participate in this 5-minute survey. The Richmond Office of Emergency Management is conducting a brief survey to assess the Richmond City residents' preparedness in the case of an emergency.  We are asking you to provide information on your emergency preparedness education and awareness as well as how prepared you or your family are in the case of an emergency. The data collected from this survey will be used to create additional public outreach, but personal information will remain confidential.  To take the survey, click here Thank you for your time. For questions or concerns, please contact the Richmond Office of Emergency Management at askemergencymgmt@richmondgov.com or (804) 646-2500. Estimado(a) residente de Richmond,  ¡Queremos escuchar su opinión! Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para participar en esta encuest

On Thursday, March 21, the city is adding 20 new battery operated pedelec bikes to its RVA Bike Share fleet. These electric-assist e-bikes are designed to make it easier to climb hills and endure long rides. This will enable those who were previously unable to use the current 8-speed bikes to also use the bike share service. The pedelec bikes will be docked at current RVA Bike Share stations, but are identified by a yellow lightning bolt. Riders will be able to unlock the bikes using their RVA Bike Share key fob or from the RVA Bikes application. The motor automatically turns on once the rider starts pedaling. The bikes can reach speeds up to a safe 12 mph. The motor stops when the rider stops pedaling or uses the brake. RVA Bike Share was implemented in summer 2017. It currently has 220 bikes at 16 docking stations. In February the city began electrifying docking stations and converting the existing 8-speed bikes to make them pedal-assist. Eventually the entire fleet will

Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will discuss how local leaders can tackle critical social issues including racism and racial disparities, the history and symbolism of monuments and how to chart a path toward dismantling inequities. Julian Hayter, historian, author and associate professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, will serve as moderator. The event will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, located at 428 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220. Doors will open at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Members of the public can rsvp to info@unumfund.org . “It’s imperative we have the tough conversations about the history of racism and systemic inequities that continue to harm our communities,” said Mayor Stoney. “Historically marginalized communities — primarily low-income neighborhoods and communities of color —continue to feel the burden of

The City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building is accepting applications for the Mayor’s Youth Academy 2019 Summer Employment Program through April 1, 2019. The Mayor’s Youth Academy is open to all City of Richmond youth, ages 14-19, who are enrolled in either a secondary or post-secondary educational institution. Eligible participants must be registered as full-time students during the preceding academic year. Youth are not required to have previous work experience to apply, but they must meet the program’s eligibility criteria. Interested youth may apply here for one of the following areas: Counselor In Training (CIT), youth ages 14 – 16: This program is designed to give youth an opportunity to develop skills related to recreational and educational careers. CITs will be responsible for assisting the counselors in daily administration of the Summer Camp Program, including: ensuring the well-being and safety of all participants, ad

The Richmond City Health District and Henrico County Health Department are reminding residents of Richmond and Henrico to take precautions to reduce the risk of people or pets contracting rabies from domestic and woodland animals.    Recently, a stray cat (Adult female, Domestic Shorthair, black fur with white paws and chin) that was a popular fixture at Bryan Park tested positive for rabies. Richmond Animal Care and Control took custody of the cat on February 19th after a park visitor was bitten while interacting with the usually friendly feline. The bite victim is a Henrico resident whose Post Exposure Prophylactic (PEP) treatment is being supervised by the Henrico County Health Department. Visitors to Bryan Park who may have been exposed to this cat between the dates of February 9th to 19th are at possible risk for rabies and are advised to contact their public health department. Richmond residents should call the Richmond City Health District at 804-482-8020.  Persons who live in