RICHMOND, VA – The Department of Public Works will begin its Annual Leaf Collection Program on Monday, October 5, offering residents four convenient and environmentally responsible options to manage seasonal yard waste. 

Leaf removal is vital to the health of the city’s right of way and stormwater infrastructure.

The following leaf collection options are available:

Bagged Collection Option

• Starting October 5
• Up to 6 bags collected on normal trash day (place bags near supercan)
• Biodegradable bags preferred

Unlimited Bag Collection Option

During November & December [by sector/trash collection]

The city is divided into four sectors for bagged leaf collection, based on trash collection schedules. During the designated period, residents can place an unlimited number of bags (at the curb) for weekend collection. Biodegradable bags are preferred.

• Sector 1: Wednesday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between November 6 - 14
• Sector 2: Thursday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between November 20 - 28
• Sector 3: Monday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between December 4 - 12
• Sector 4: Tuesday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between December 18 - 26

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Options

• Residents can compost or mulch leaves.
• Compost bins are available for $41.50.
• If interested in purchasing a bin, email askpublicworks@rva.gov .

• Dispose of loose leaves:
• Residents can drop off loose leaves or put them in biodegradable bags at the following two locations:

1. East Richmond Road Convenience Center | 3800 E. Richmond Road
2. Maury Street Leaf Drop-Off | 2900 Maury Street

• Additionally, residents can take bagged leaves to
• Hopkins Road Transfer Station |3506 North Hopkins Road
• Note: they only accept bagged leaves

Vacuum Service Option | Available Monday, November 2

Cost: $30 fee per request (payment due prior to service)

Scheduling: Go to www.RVA311.com or call 3-1-1

Payment Options:

• 1). COR Utility Account - $30 fee will be added to your utility bill, or
• 2). Via Mail 
• Check or Money Order – payable to the City of Richmond
• Mail payment to:
• Attn: DPW Vacuum Leaf Collection Service
• 900 East Broad Street, Room 704
• Richmond, VA 23219
• Note: a service request ID number is generated for requests made through the RVA311 system, please be sure to include that number on the check or money order

Guidelines:

• Payment must be received before collection will be scheduled
• The leaves must be raked and ready for collection when the request is made
• Rake leaves to the curb or property line, but not into the street or gutters
• Remove sticks, stones or other objects that may damage equipment
• Leaves will not be collected from the alley

What to Expect:

• Once payment has been confirmed, the service will take place within 15 business days of the paid request, not including weekends, city holidays or inclement weather
• Scheduled appointments for leaf collection cannot be accommodated
• Vacuum service may be delayed during inclement weather
• Note - if you have not received service within 15 business days of your request (not including city holidays) and there have been no significant weather events, please call 3-1-1

For more information on leaf collection please visit rva.gov/public-works/leaf-collection or for assistance, call 3-1-1.

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

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 225 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; urban forestry; civil engineering and capital improvement projects along with the Department of Transportation (DOT). DPW delivers essential services that keep the city clean, safe, and healthy. The DOT plans, builds and maintains the city’s transportation system to ensure safe, reliable, and equitable mobility for all users. The department is responsible for traffic operations, street signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, bike lanes, and transportation programs that support economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Guided by the city’s Vision Zero commitment, the DOT works to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through data-driven policies, street design, and community partnerships. In addition, the DOT issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station and the RVA Bike Share Program. Report service requests to RVA311.com or call 3-1-1.

The project is expected to generate renewable electricity for municipal operations and reduce the amount of electricity the City purchases from Dominion Energy. Based on preliminary projections, the installations are anticipated to produce approximately 7.75 GWh (7,750,000 kWh) annually and result in an estimated net energy costs savings of $19.4 million over 25 years. Final savings will depend on the engineered system design and the future pace of utility rate increases. 

“As a father, a pediatrician, and Mayor, I believe our local government has a responsibility to build a more sustainable Richmond for generations to come. I’m excited for the practical way this program helps us do our part to address the climate crisis, lower our energy costs, and be smart with taxpayer dollars. The due diligence that we've put into building this out over the past few months will be worth it," said Mayor Danny Avula. 

In addition to projected energy savings, the proposal supports the City’s broader efforts to improve the performance and resilience of its facilities. Investing in renewable energy at City-owned buildings can help reduce exposure to changing energy costs while demonstrating how municipal infrastructure can support long-term environmental and fiscal goals.

Aligning with Pillar 6 of the Mayor’s Action Plan (MAP), “A thriving and sustainable built environment planned for future generations” the proposed ordinances provide meaningful ways to support a more sustainable, resilient, and forward-looking city.

“This introduction represents a major milestone in the complex balance between lowering energy costs and ensuring appropriate protections for the City from unnecessary risks and liability,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. “This legislation represents significant reduction in costs that would’ve ultimately been passed along to residents, as it offers us an opportunity to make strides toward our sustainability goals, while also giving us new grounds to demonstrate our commitment to continuous quality improvement.” 

The proposed ordinances also advance the goals of RVAgreen 2050, Richmond’s Climate Equity Action Plan, which establishes targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan identifies buildings and energy as a key pathway for improving energy efficiency, performance, and resilience.

“Exploring the installation of solar panels on these city-owned buildings represents an important opportunity to advance Richmond’s sustainability goals while taking a thoughtful look at the long-term value of our public assets, said Laura Thomas, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “By evaluating how renewable energy can be incorporated into our facilities, we can identify opportunities to reduce energy costs, strengthen resilience, create local clean energy jobs, and support a more sustainable future for our city. This potential project reflects our commitment to finding innovative solutions that benefit Richmond residents for years to come.”

The proposed installations remain subject to City Council consideration and approval, as applicable. Additional project details, including final site assessments, system capacity, implementation timelines, contracting arrangements, and projected financial savings, will be provided as the ordinance advances.

Expert staff to oversee implementation of Gilpin Court Redevelopment as outlined in Jackson Ward Community Plan   

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Marchman and Edward P. Richards to step into the roles of Senior Advisor for Public Housing Transformation and People Plan Program Manager, respectively. 

Kevin Marchman joins the City from the National Organization of African Americans in Housing (NOAAH), a national advocacy organization which he founded in 1998 to advance equitable housing policies and resident empowerment initiatives. At NOAAH, he served as Executive Director, Managing Director and Board Chairperson.

In addition to his nearly three decades at the helm of NOAAH, Mr. Marchman has served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Executive Director of the Denver Housing Authority, and as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Mayor for the City of Denver.  

“We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Kevin to Team Richmond,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “In him, we have a tried and tested leader with a deep commitment to and expertise in public housing and community development. I cannot imagine a more qualified professional to facilitate our public housing transformation and look forward to learning from him and working with him to reimagine and reinvigorate our public housing communities, starting with Gilpin.”

Mr. Marchman steps into a newly created position for the City, providing strategic direction over the transformation of large-scale public housing developments and their surrounding neighborhoods, in close partnership with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA).

Edward Richards joins the City’s Office of Community Wealth Building having spent more than a decade serving Richmond’s most vulnerable residents as a Social Worker, providing support to older adults, persons experiencing homelessness, people with intellectual disabilities, the medically vulnerable, refugees, and low-income communities.  

He is a graduate of VCU’s School of Social Work, where he now teaches as an adjunct professor. In addition to his work at VCU and as a Community Embedded (Adjunct) Faculty, Mr. Richards also volunteers time as the Membership Committee Chair for the Richmond Association of Black Social Workers and serves on the board of the Uplift Community Action (formerly Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People – CAPUP). He has also worked as a Community Advisory member for Henrico County and the City of Richmond’s Health Equity Fund.

As the People Plan Program Manager, Mr. Richards will oversee the people plan for Gilpin Court, supporting residents through economic mobility by offering family assessments and case management, coordination with community partners to provide support services and job training and job placements, all while continuing to communicate and collaborate with residents to ensure successful outcomes.

Mr. Richards will work closely with RRHA, service providers, and internal City partners to reduce barriers throughout the housing transition, develop a coordinated system of partners, strengthen case management programming, and promote long-term housing stability during and after relocation.  

“For the City to truly transform, we have to transform public housing” said Sharon Ebert, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Planning and Economic Development, which includes the Office of Community Wealth Building. “That process starts with getting the right people in position; people who are committed to the work of understanding the needs and desires of people with limited incomes. Mr. Richards is one of these people, and we are lucky to have him on board.”

In the short-term, both Mr. Marchman and Mr. Richards will be deeply involved in implementing the redevelopment of Gilpin Court, as part of the larger Jackson Ward Community Plan (JWCP) and in collaboration with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Joint Gilpin Transformation Working Group, which includes senior staff from both the City and RRHA.

The hiring of both Mr. Marchman and Mr. Richards is consistent with the key terms outlined in the Gilpin Court redevelopment memorandum of understanding, currently before the City Council for approval, that calls for the hiring of full-time City staff to oversee implementation of the JWCP’s three core elements: Neighborhood, Housing, and People.

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About the Jackson Ward Community Plan

The Jackson Ward Community Plan brought Gilpin Court and Jackson Ward residents, planning experts, elected officials, and community members together to reach an informed, shared vision for the future of the neighborhood.  

The final plan was submitted to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) November 17, 2023, and approved by HUD in August 2024.  The Jackson Ward business community and residents requested additional work be done to the plan in 2025 and a soon to be released final version should be available in October.

The City of Richmond will celebrate a major People’s Budget and GRTC milestone with a community ride-along and dedication for the Lombardy/Kroger bus shelter.  

This project is:  

• The first shelter completed by People’s Budget Cycle One  
• The 90th shelter installed through GRTC’s Essential Transit Infrastructure (ETI) program  
• A significant achievement for resident‑driven investment across the City

The community‑selected shelter, a $50,000 project, was one of the top‑voted priorities in 2nd District, with nearly half of all district participants supporting its installation.  

"This shelter demonstrates how public infrastructure can reflect community priorities when residents are empowered to shape the City's investment decisions," said Jerome Legions, Richmond People's Budget founding Steering Commission member. "The People's Budget process ensures voices from every neighborhood directly influence improvements that matter."  

“Partnership has been critical to advancing bus stop improvements across our system,” said Adrienne Torres, GRTC Chief of Staff and Chief Development Officer. “Support from the City, our regional partners and the Commonwealth, including legislation passed in 2024, has helped strengthen the framework for investing in essential transit infrastructure and improving access for our riders.” 

The stop serves riders traveling toward Laburnum, Chamberlayne, and Westbrook corridors, strengthening a key connector between the 2nd and 3rd Districts.  

This project also supports the Department of Public Works’ Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by 2030. Buses are a critical part of achieving this goal because they offer a safer way to travel. 

"The budget is a joint plan between the community, elected officials, and staff," said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. "This shelter is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when those partners align on the planning, transparency, and commitment necessary to get projects done for the betterment of Richmond." 

"What excites me most about this is seeing Richmond’s commitment to listening to residents and investing in their priorities come to life in a project that people can see, use, and enjoy,” said Councilmember Katherine Jordan. "I'm extremely grateful for all of the folks that gave their time and energy"  

Event Details

September 15, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM   

Ride‑along on GRTC Route, beginning at City Hall and concluding at the Lombardy Kroger shelter  

Schedule 

5:15 PM – Check‑in at City Hall  

5:30 PM – Board bus; rolling Q&A  

5:55 PM – Arrive at shelter  

6:00 PM – Remarks and placement of People’s Budget Completion Badge; cupcakes  

6:20 PM – Return to City Hall  

Media may interview project champions, People’s Budget Steering Commission members, City Council representatives, Office of Community Engagement staff, the Chief Administrative Officer, and GRTC personnel.  

Photos and video of the badge placement will be available.  

Residents can learn more about People’s Budget Cycle One, including project updates at rvapb.org. To stay current and learn more about how to participate in the People’s Budget, subscribe to "The People’s Purse" newsletter.

About the Richmond People’s Budget  

The Richmond People’s Budget is the City’s participatory budgeting program, allowing residents to propose and vote on capital improvements in their neighborhoods. Cycle One concluded in May 2025 with 33 funded projects across the city. Beginning in July 2026, the People’s Budget program became a part of the Chief Administrative Officer’s new Community Engagement initiative, which works across city government to create more transparent, accessible, and resident‑centered pathways for civic participation.  

About GRTC’s Essential Transit Infrastructure (ETI) Program  

Launched in 2022, ETI improves accessibility, safety, comfort, and dignity at bus stops through shelters, benches, ADA‑accessible landing pads, lighting, and other amenities.  

Media Contact:

Monica Annette Manney

Public Information Manager, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

Email: monica.manney@rva.gov