The Richmond Department of Transportation (RDOT) will host a community conversation with historian, University of Virginia professor, and author Peter Norton on Thursday, July 9 exploring how the history of American streets can inform the future of transportation in Richmond.

Norton, author of Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City and Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech Driving, will explore how streets once served as shared public spaces that connected communities through walking, streetcars, and other forms of mobility before the rise of automobile-focused transportation systems.

His presentation will examine the transformation of American cities, including Richmond, as streets shifted from community spaces to primarily serving motor vehicle movement. The discussion will highlight lessons from the past and how they can help guide today's efforts to create safer, more accessible streets for people of all ages and abilities. 

“As Richmond continues working toward a transportation system that serves everyone, understanding the history of our streets helps us better understand the choices we make today,” said Andy Boenau, Director of RDOT. “This conversation gives residents an opportunity to learn from the past, engage with transportation experts, and discuss how we can build a safer, more connected future for Richmond."

The event will include a presentation from Norton followed by a community question-and-answer session focused on the connection between Richmond’s transportation history and ongoing safety initiatives, including the development of the City’s first ever Pedestrian Safety Master Plan and Richmond’s Vision Zero commitment. 

“Transportation is about more than how we move through the city, it is about how we access opportunities, connect with our neighbors, and experience our communities,” said Boenau. “These conversations help bring residents into the process of shaping streets that work better for everyone.” 

Event Details

What: Community Conversation with Peter Norton

When: Thursday, July 9, 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Where: James Branch Cabell Library 901 Park Avenue Richmond, VA 23284

The event is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and participate in the conversation about Richmond’s transportation future.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peter-norton-lecture-tickets-1992020300342

About the Richmond Department of Transportation

The Richmond Department of Transportation works to create a safe, accessible, and connected transportation system that supports the movement of people and goods throughout the City of Richmond. Through investments in infrastructure, planning, and community engagement, RDOT is working toward a transportation network that serves residents of all ages and abilities.

The Richmond Department of Transportation (RDOT) will host a community conversation with historian, University of Virginia professor, and author Peter Norton on Thursday, July 9 exploring how the history of American streets can inform the future of transportation in Richmond.

Norton, author of Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City and Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech Driving , will explore how streets once served as shared public spaces that connected communities through walking, streetcars, and other forms of mobility before the rise of automobile-focused transportation systems.

His presentation will examine the transformation of American cities, including Richmond, as streets shifted from community spaces to primarily serving motor vehicle movement. The discussion will highlight lessons from the past and how they can help guide today's efforts to create safer, more accessible streets for people of all ages and abilities. 

“As Richmond continues working toward a transportation system that serves everyone, understanding the history of our streets helps us better understand the choices we make today,” said Andy Boenau, Director of RDOT. “This conversation gives residents an opportunity to learn from the past, engage with transportation experts, and discuss how we can build a safer, more connected future for Richmond."

The event will include a presentation from Norton, followed by a community question-and-answer session focused on the connection between Richmond’s transportation history and ongoing safety initiatives, including the development of the City’s first ever Pedestrian Safety Master Plan and Richmond’s Vision Zero commitment. 

“Transportation is about more than how we move through the city, it is about how we access opportunities, connect with our neighbors, and experience our communities,” said Boenau. “These conversations help bring residents into the process of shaping streets that work better for everyone.” 

Event Details

What: Community Conversation with Peter Norton

When: Thursday, July 9, 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Where: James Branch Cabell Library 901 Park Avenue Richmond, VA 23284

The event is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and participate in the conversation about Richmond’s transportation future.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peter-norton-lecture-tickets-1992020300342 

About the Richmond Department of Transportation

The Richmond Department of Transportation works to create a safe, accessible, and connected transportation system that supports the movement of people and goods throughout the City of Richmond. Through investments in infrastructure, planning, and community engagement, RDOT is working toward a transportation network that serves residents of all ages and abilities. 

Earlier today, the City was notified of the failure of air conditioning systems in all four Imperial Village buildings. Throughout the day, the City met with the property managers to understand the details of the situation and to suggest possible paths forward for the owners to take to restore air conditioning to all buildings. 

Owners are currently working to restore the air conditioning. 15 City staff are onsite, and the Richmond Fire Department are conducting wellness checks of residents and encouraging hydration throughout the night.  

Tomorrow morning, July 7, City Staff will continue discussions with the property owners and management about the progress required to bring all four buildings up to code. 

Tonight, Mayor Danny Avula and Richmond City Council introduced a resolution authorizing the City of Richmond to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority (RRHA).  

The resolution formalizes the City’s partnership with RRHA to establish a consistent, resident-centered plan for redeveloping Gilpin Court. Specifically, the resolution:  

1. Supports the redevelopment of Richmond’s aging public housing, citing deteriorating conditions 
2. Establishes key principles for redevelopment including one-for-one replacement of public housing units 
3. Requests Mayor Danny Avula and CAO Odie Donald to sign an MOU with RRHA by September 1 
4. Requests ongoing updates about the progress of the partnership to City Council’s Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Committee and annual reports to all of City Council  

Additionally, the City of Richmond is excited to soon announce its new People Plan Manager.  

The People Plan Manager will oversee the implementation one of the People Plan, one of the three major elements of the Gilpin Court Redevelopment alongside the Neighborhood and Housing Plans. The People Plan Manager, who will begin work this summer, will lead work on the resident-centered component of the plan, including resident engagement, case management, connections to service providers, and partnerships with community organizations. Together, these efforts are designed to ensure residents remain at the center of the redevelopment process and have access to the resources, services, and support they need every step of the way.   

“I am extremely pleased that Mayor Avula and the RRHA leadership have reached an agreement on how the City and the Authority will work together on the redevelopment of Gilpin Court,” said Councilmember Cynthia Newbille, Richmond East End 7 th District . “This agreement not only prioritizes residents, their needs, and engagement, but also enshrines core protections for residents such as one-for-one replacement, and a tenant bill of rights, which provides a model for similar partnership agreements for our other public housing communities engaged in redevelopment activities. This resolution is a critically important and needed step forward in addressing one of our most significant community challenges, the transformation of our public housing communities city-wide.” 

"I’m thrilled that we’ve reached this moment in building a stronger partnership and shared commitment to the residents who call Gilpin Court home. It is so critical to build a redevelopment process that creates lasting opportunity, and keeps residents at the center of every decision,” said Mayor Danny Avula . “Today’s resolution marks an important step towards that.” 

Together, these efforts will help create thriving neighborhoods where every resident can succeed.  

Resources  

• July 6, 2026,  Gilpin Court Redevelopment: How We Get There  
• July 6, 2026,  Draft Memorandum of Understanding for the Joint Gilpin Transformation Working Group  (to be reviewed by City Council)  
• July 6, 2026,   Proposed Resolution for Executing the Joint Gilpin Transformation Working Group MOU  (to be approved by City Council)