The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Citizens Academy. This is an interactive series that gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at the essential services that help keep Richmond running every day.  

The four-week program invites participants to meet the teams who deliver water, wastewater, stormwater and natural gas services across the city. Through facility tours, hands-on demonstrations and presentations from industry professionals, residents will gain a deeper understanding of how DPU provides essential services, protects public health, supports growth and responds to community needs.  

Citizens Academy is designed to be informative, engaging and accessible for residents who want to learn more about their utilities.   

Sessions will be held weekly on Tuesdays throughout October: 

Locations and detailed session information will be shared with registered participants.  

Because the Academy builds week-to-week, participants are requested to attend all sessions to get the full experience. Applications will be reviewed and selected to ensure representation from across Richmond’s City Council districts. Residents from all areas of the city are encouraged to apply.   

Ready to learn how your utilities work?  
Apply for the Fall 2026 Citizens Academy using the link below.  

2026 Fall Citizens Academy Application 

The City of Richmond will close in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 7. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 8. Scroll through for information about City service schedules during the holiday weekend. 

For the full city holiday calendar, please visit the Holiday Closings page .   

• There will be no trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Monday, September 7. 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, September 11.  
• The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be closed Saturday, September 5, and Monday, September 7. ERRCC will reopen on Tuesday, September 8.
• Recycling will not be collected on Monday, September 7. Collections  will be delayed by one day. Collections scheduled for Monday will be picked up on Tuesday and so on through Friday, September 11.
• All Richmond Public Libraries are closed on Monday, September 7, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8. 
• RVA311 will be open Saturday, Sept. 5, and will be closed on September 7. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311.com and mobile apps. RVA311 will reopen on Tuesday, September 8.
• Richmond Public Schools are closed on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7. Schools will reopen on September 8.
• All Parks and Rec offices and community centers are closed Monday, September 7 and will reopen on September 8.
• Outdoor Pools will operate 1 – 7 p.m. on Monday, September 7, for their last swim.
• The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Monday, September 7 and will reopen Tuesday, September 8. For utility emergencies, customers should call 804-646-4646, stay on the line, and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911. 
• Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed on Monday, September 7. RACC will reopen by appointment only on Tuesday, September 8, and will have regular walk-in hours on Wednesday, September 9.

The City of Richmond Office of Elections will be closed from 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026 for a staff meeting. 

Please plan accordingly. We appreciate your understanding. 

For voter and election information, visit: rva.gov/elections or email vote@rva.gov

This notice is being provided to alert the public that an Electoral Board meeting is scheduled.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location:
City of Richmond Office of Elections
2134 W. Laburnum Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
2nd Floor Conference Room

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.

Members of the public who wish to speak at the meeting must submit their request by email to Executive Assistant, Caitlin Shelton, at electoral.board@rva.gov no later than Tuesday, September 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

This meeting will be recorded.

Additional updates related to meeting logistics will be communicated as necessary.

Agenda

"On behalf of the City of Richmond Department of Transportation, I want to express our concern for the people injured during yesterday morning’s incident at the temporary GRTC Downtown Transfer Station. We are grateful that the injuries reported were not life-threatening, and our thoughts remain with those who were affected.

We want to thank the quick actions of first responders, including Richmond Police, Richmond Fire and Richmond Ambulance Authority, and emergency personnel who responded immediately, cared for those injured, secured the area, and helped restore safe conditions. We also recognize the outstanding work of GRTC staff, who maintained transit operations during a challenging emergency event and worked diligently to minimize disruptions for riders.

A bus trip is an extension of a walking trip, which means transit operations and pedestrian safety are closely linked. The City remains focused on improving safety throughout Richmond’s transportation network, particularly in high-activity transit areas where thousands of people walk, wait, and transfer every day.

This incident occurred at the temporary Downtown Transfer Station, a facility that continues to play a critical role in connecting riders while Richmond and GRTC advance plans for a permanent Downtown Transit Hub immediately adjacent to the current site. The future transit hub represents an important investment in safe, reliable access to increase the comfort of the riders' experience. We look forward to continued progress on this transformative project, which will provide modern facilities designed to better serve both transit riders and the surrounding region for decades to come.

As part of ongoing efforts to evaluate operations and enhance safety, the Downtown Transfer Station will undergo a full safety review and targeted improvements. To support this work, additional planned closures of the transfer station will occur from August 31, 2026, through September 11, 2026. During this period, bus routes will continue operating from designated temporary transfer locations nearby.

Before the closure begins, riders will receive a detailed map showing where each route will stop within the temporary transfer area, and signage will be installed throughout the area to help customers navigate the temporary changes. We encourage people to pay close attention to posted information and GRTC service announcements during this period.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding. The City of Richmond and GRTC remain committed to providing a safe, reliable access to all the places Richmond offers while continuing to invest in the long-term improvements that will strengthen transit service throughout our region."