Richmond, VA – The Richmond Departments of Public Works, Transportation and the General Services were recognized on the national stage during the American Public Works Association Conference recently held in Ocean City, Maryland earning prestigious awards and contributing expertise as facilitators. The conference brought together public works professionals from across the country to share innovative practices, strengthen collaboration within the industry and to celebrate excellence in service.

Among the highlights, the departments received the following awards:

APWA Robert S. Hopson Leadership Service Award

• Ms. Jacquelin Howie

APWA Structures $5M - $25M Winner

• Ms. Gail Johnson

APWA Mid-Atlantic Award Winners:

• Mr. Sayed Adel
• Dr. Afshin Famili

Additionally, the following employees were selected to facilitate and participate in conference sessions, sharing expertise and best practices with peers from across the nation. Their participation showcased the department’s leadership in advance public works operations and innovation.

APWA Mid-Atlantic Presentations:

• Mr. Rowes Hanna
• Mr. Daniel Wagner

NACTO Designing Cities Conference Poster and Presentation:

• Ms. Abigail Chaikin 
• Mr. Andy Boenau, Director of Richmond Transportation
• Bobby Vincent, Director of Public Works

The Department of Public Utilities is aware of a system error related to last week’s systems upgrade that has impacted payments for some accounts. Some utility payments have been received but not applied to customer accounts. DPU is working with our payment processor to correct this error and apply those payments that have not fully processed. 

Customers may call the DPU Call Center if they have been impacted but may experience a longer than usual wait time. Resolution is expected to occur within one to two business days, no action is required by customers as the payments will be processed as soon as the system error is corrected. DPU appreciates everyone’s patience while we work to resolve this issue in a timely manner. 

On Friday, May 29, Mayor Danny Avula and the Richmond Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced the execution of a series of major agreements that move the Diamond District project into its next phase and mark another significant milestone in one of the largest redevelopment efforts in Richmond’s history. 

The finalized agreements include:  

• The Sports Backers Purchase and Sale Agreement  – The EDA’s purchase of Sports Backers clears the way for development of the Diamond District’s full street grid and other infrastructure, two public park spaces, and additional vertical development, the first of which will be an affordable multifamily apartment building.  
• The Access Agreement among Diamond District Partners (DDP), Richmond Economic Development Authority, and Virginia Commonwealth University - This agreement gives DDP immediate access to the Sports Backers Stadium site to begin site and infrastructure work, ensuring overall development timelines are met.  
• The CarMax Park Lease between EDA and VCU – The lease is the next major step paving the way for VCU to also play baseball in the EDA’s CarMax Park stadium. The lease would commence once the VCU-Navigators operating agreement is in place.  

“It’s another exciting day in Richmond! The Diamond District is all about creating a thriving new neighborhood with housing, parks, recreation, and economic opportunity for generations to come,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The best things take time and hard work, but in the end, they’re worth it. I’m so proud we’ve hit this milestone.” 

“This is another key milestone in a very complicated project. I’m grateful to all the partners and staff who have worked – and continue to work – tirelessly on the Diamond District. It’s extremely gratifying to see our forward momentum sustained across administrations as we work collectively to bring Richmond’s vision of a new, vibrant neighborhood closer to reality," said Richmond City Councilwoman Katherine Jordan, 2nd District. 

"Today’s agreements move us from vision to execution. They ensure that the Diamond District advances on a clear, predictable timeline and that the investments we are making deliver real community benefit for Richmonders, the greater Richmond region, and visitors alike. This is the result of years of coordinated, careful work across partners, and I’m proud of the process that brings us to this milestone,” said Angie Rodgers, Director of the City of Richmond Economic Development Authority.  

With these agreements now executed, partners will continue advancing site preparation, infrastructure work, and next-phase development activities in the months ahead. The Diamond District represents one of the largest and most ambitious redevelopment efforts in Richmond’s history, helping position the city for long-term growth, investment, and opportunity. 

At approximately 12:03 p.m., Richmond Police Department officers and detectives who were providing security efforts outside of a high school graduation venue observed an individual who appeared to be concealing a weapon. Officers approached the adult male in the 1100 block of West Broad Street, interacted with him and located and seized the firearm. 

Trevor Richardson, 22, of Richmond, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. The photo of the firearm is attached. His booking photo is not available.

RPD, in coordination with VCU Police and Richmond Public Schools, provides security efforts outside graduation venues as a standard approach to public safety. Part of this effort is checking surrounding parking areas and decks for firearms offenses.

The RPD asks anyone attending the upcoming graduation events not to bring firearms and continues to ask all persons not to store firearms in an unsecured manner in vehicles.

Richardson was near the graduation location but did not approach or enter the venue with the firearm. No firearms were present in the graduation venue, although altercations occurred in the morning ceremony which resulted in a robust public safety response from RPD, VCU Police and RPS.

Anyone with information about people who intend to disrupt an upcoming event is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.