Teams made the competitive cut because their design, program strength, community benefits and financing approaches meet high city expectations, align with vision for area

Three finalists in the Diamond District redevelopment project will be asked to respond to a Request for Offers (RFO). The RFO will be issued the week of May 30, 2022, and responses will be due June 28, 2022.

The city anticipates announcing the preferred team and terms of the agreement in July. The city reserves the right to alter the process and timeline as needed to ensure the greatest benefit is derived for the city and its residents in the creation of this new mixed-use neighborhood.

THE FINALISTS

After carefully considering the responses to the Request for Interest (RFI) and Request for Additional Information (RFAI), the Evaluation Panel has selected three finalist teams based on their design, program strength, community benefits and financing approaches (listed alphabetically):

• Richmond Community Development Partners
• RVA Diamond Partners
• Vision300 Partners, LLC

OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE PROPOSALS

The finalist teams prepared one-page summaries of their team, concept, and design. Those summaries are available to the public here.

In early June, the city will host a public meeting to update Richmonders on the process. Information on that meeting will be available here.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About the Diamond District project

The Diamond District project is just one aspect of Richmond 300: A Plan for Growth, which has been awarded the 2021 Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan for the American Planning Association. The plan provides a detailed roadmap to ensure “Richmond is a welcoming, inclusive, diverse, innovative, sustainable, and equitable city of thriving neighborhoods, ensuring a high quality of life for all.”

About the Diamond District Evaluation Panel
 

The Evaluation Panel is comprised of 10 members, including City Council members, city administrative staff, and VCU administrative staff.

Communication with the Panel

Members of the public can send comments/questions to the Diamond District Evaluation Panel by using this form. This form is publicly posted on the project page. Do not email the Evaluation Panel members, facilitator, or advisors about the Diamond District project, as emails sent directly to the Evaluation Panel about this project will not be read. Comments and questions will be reviewed every other week and distributed to the Evaluation Panel during the evaluation process.

Evaluation Panel Members

1. James P. Duval – Investment and Debt Portfolio Manager, Finance Department
2. Sharon L. Ebert – Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Planning and Economic Development
3. Karol Kain Gray – Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University
4. Katherine Jordan – Council Member, Second District
5. Ann-Frances Lambert – Council Member, Third District
6. J.E. Lincoln Saunders – Chief Administrative Officer
7. Leonard L. Sledge – Director, Department of Economic Development
8. Caprichia Smith Spellman – Interim Director, Office of Community Wealth Building
9. Robert C. Steidel – Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Operations
10. Stephen M. Willoughby – Director of Emergency Communications

Evaluation Panel Facilitator

Maritza Mercado Pechin, Deputy Director, Department of Planning and Development Review, is the Project Manager for the Diamond District redevelopment process. She runs the evaluation panel meetings, coordinate logistics, and serve as the official point of contact between the evaluation panel and the respondents.

Evaluation Panel Advisors

These individuals will attend evaluation panel meetings and offer expertise as needed.

• Lynne S. Lancaster – Deputy Director, Department of Public Works
• Matthew A. Welch – Policy Advisor, Planning and Economic Development Portfolio

WHO:   Department of Public Works, Clean City Commission & the Department of Public Utilities (Stormwater Division)

WHAT: Richmond E-Cycle Day for City of Richmond Residents | Drive-thru Recycling Event for Richmond Residents

• All residents must:
  
  • Wear a face covering
  • Stay in their car during the event and roll the windows down
  • Note: volunteers will take items out of your car
• Paper Document Shredding
  
  • Up to five (5) boxes of paper documents. Be sure to remove all binders, staples and clips
• Electronics (various fees apply)
  
  • Computer systems (hard drive or CPU) and accessories (cables, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) VCRs, camcorders, stereos and all phones
  • Televisions, computer monitors and printers
• Household Hazardous Waste Items and Oil-based Paint
  
  • Bug spray, rodent poison and herbicides (Roundup, Weed B Gon etc.)
  • Note: Latex and water based paints will not be collected. These items can be left in open paint cans until they have dried out and then put in with regular curbside trash pick-up.

WHEN:  Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Broad Rock Sports Complex, 4825 Old Warwick Road (23224) | next to/behind the Broad Rock Library

BACKGROUND:  The City of Richmond’s E-Cycle Day offers City residents an efficient option to recycle paper and to help keep hazardous waste materials out of city waterways, streams and rivers. This event is available to city residents – proof of residency is required.

For more information on this event, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email questions to AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter @DPW_RichmondVA

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 178 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

RICHMOND, Va. – In light of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on those who live and work in the city of Richmond, the city is offering amnesty on penalties applied to overdue parking citations. Those who currently owe money for parking tickets and overdue penalties prior to May 2, 2022 will have their penalties waived as long as they pay the original ticket amount by September 12, 2022.   

• Tickets received prior to May 2, 2022
  
  • If paid by September 12, 2022
    
    • The original amount of the ticket is due
    • All penalties accrued on the ticket will be forgiven
  • If the ticket is not paid by the September 12, 2022
    
    • Both the original amount and ALL penalties will be owed

• Tickets received after May 2, 2022
  
  • Will not be eligible for COVID amnesty
  • The original ticket must be paid plus penalties will accrue if not paid on time

Residents must still pay the original tickets Amnesty does not apply to Parking Tickets, ONLY to late penalties on those tickets.

Examples of how penalties accrue (all penalties are capped at twice the original ticket amount):

Parking ticket resources:

• Pay Parking Ticket Online http://www.ticketlookup.com/default.aspx?id=richmond
• Online Ticket Lookup http://www.ticketlookup.com/default.aspx?id=richmond

DMV related hold fees are not included in the City of Richmond Amnesty Program.

For additional information, please call 3-1-1 or go to www.rva.gov/public-works/parking-enterprise. Questions can be emailed to AskPublicWorks@rva.gov.

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 178 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry;  street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

Framework underscores the coordinated, strategic approach to gun violence prevention and intervention that is essential to public safety and a thriving community.

Richmond, VA — Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced the publication of the Administration’s report to address Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention in the City of Richmond.

The mayor marked the historic announcement by hosting a roundtable to thank key stakeholders from around the city who had been involved in crafting the report as part of the city’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Working Group. He expressed his deep gratitude to leaders from city and state agencies and nonprofits noting that their cooperation and collaboration underscores the coordinated, strategic approach to gun violence prevention and intervention that is essential to public safety and a thriving community.

“I know our residents, and many of you all, have contributed blood, sweat and many tears, literally, working for a better, safer day in our city,” the mayor told the panel, which included representatives from VCU Health, the Richmond City Health District, Richmond Public Schools, community partners, and many others.

“I know this has been a labor of love for all of you – and that’s easy to understand. Because we love our city.  We love the peace of mind -- and body -- that comes from feeling safe in our neighborhoods and in our homes.  And because we love our children, we will find a positive path forward and make our city safer.”

The past few years have been intentional and strategic – engaging the communities most impacted by gun violence and the experts who have been leading efforts to reduce violence – not just a cookie cutter program to plug into any city, but one that is specific to the needs and circumstances within the City of Richmond. 

“We know that we need both police enforcement and intervention and community prevention programs that are evidence-based to wrap their arms around our youth and their families,” the mayor said.

“I know thousands of people are working to prevent gun violence every day – from teachers, police officers, doctors, coaches, social workers, faith based leaders, parents, and guardians. These are our unsung heroes.”

In his remarks the mayor also called for stronger gun regulations and for residents to lock up guns in their homes and cars. He said the city must also address the root causes of crime that contribute to violence in the community. He acknowledged that the issue of rising gun violence, which has impacted cities across the nation over the last two years will not be solved overnight.

“It will take time, sustained resources, and dedicated partners to curb violence,” the mayor said, noting that this week is National Youth Violence Prevention Week. “But I want you to know that your city is committed to this effort. We will not stop – and we ask that you join us.”

Councilmembers also voiced their strong support and commitment to the Mayor’s approach to address gun violence:

“Having a coordinated, strategic gun violence prevention and intervention framework is critical to addressing gun violence in our city,” said Council President Cynthia Newbille, who participated in the GVPI working group. “We especially need to lift-up our youth and their families and ensure they have every opportunity and tool to succeed. This holistic approach takes great strides in doing so, and I know we will not stop there. Thank you to all that helped craft this framework – it is clear a lot of thought and strategic intentionality went into getting us to this moment.”

“Guns have become the weapon of choice and they are being used recklessly and have taken the lives of babies, young children and youth - caught in the line of fire,” said Council Vice President Ellen Robertson. “The perpetrators are younger and have easy access to guns. The reality is hatred causes anger and anger will make one kill. The City’s gun violence remedy starts by addressing hatred and easy access to the weapon used to kill -- the gun!”

“We will never address gun violence overnight, but I am proud of the Richmond-specific framework the GVPI Working Group created,” said Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert, who also served on the working group. “It emphasizes the need for youth programs and a community-based approach to prevent violence – all of which the Administration is providing funds to accomplish. By following this framework and working together we can make a difference and address this public health crisis.”

“As a resident of the Southside, I feel the impact of gun violence daily and I am encouraged that the Mayor and City Council are committed to addressing gun violence prevention through such a comprehensive framework,” said Councilman Michael J. Jones.

“Gun violence prevention is a multifaceted issue that requires an exhaustive approach and I am inspired by this holistic agenda. I am not naive or think that gun violence in the city will be resolved overnight but I am optimistic at this step toward a resolution.”

For more information on the city’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention framework, please visit http://www.rva.gov/Rvagvpi .

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City government offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Friday, April 15, 2022, for the Spring Holiday. City offices will resume normal business hours on Monday, April 18.

This closure includes all branches of the Richmond Public Library. All branches will reopen at 10 a.m., on Saturday, April 16. All Parks, Recreation & Community facilities offices and city community centers will be closed on April 15.

Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) will be closed Sunday, April 17. RACC Shelter offers adoptions by appointment Sunday through Friday and is open to the public Saturdays from Noon until 5 p.m.

All DPW offices will be closed on Friday, April 15. Also, the East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC landfill), located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be closed Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16. DPW offices and the ERRCC will reopen on Monday, April 18.