RICHMOND, Va. - The City of Richmond celebrated the dedication of its workforce Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Main Street Station during the 2nd Annual Service Award Ceremony. Hosted by the Employee Engagement Committee and the Department of Human Resources, the program ran from 6 to 8 p.m. and recognized employees who reached service milestones between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The program recognized service at the 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30-, 35- and 50-year levels. Special recognition was given to Wesley E. Fox, utility plant specialist with the Department of Public Utilities, and Sureatha H. McGhee, recreation program specialist with the Department of Parks and Recreation, each honored for 50 years of service. The City of Richmond employs 4,562 staff members. This year, 564 employees reached milestone service years.

Tyrome Alexander, director of human resources, served as master of ceremonies. The Richmond Police Department presented the colors before keynote remarks by Mayor Danny Avula, Council President , Dr. Cynthia Newbille and Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. "Every day, your dedication turns City Hall into more than a building - it becomes the heart of a Thriving Richmond," Avula said. "When you show up with pride and purpose, you're not just serving residents, you're building a city where people, families, and communities can truly thrive."

Council President Dr. Cynthia Newbille, speaking on "The Power of Service," said, "Service is the quiet force that holds organizations, communities, and even nations together. It may not always make headlines, but it shapes lives every single day."

Closing remarks were delivered by Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II, who began his service in July. "The Core and soul of Richmond is its staff," Donald said.

Mayor Avula's administration has outlined seven pillars to guide Richmond's progress: a thriving City Hall that gets things done; thriving neighborhoods that meet our housing needs; thriving families where every child succeeds; a thriving economy that leaves no one behind; thriving and inclusive communities where everyone's rights are protected; a thriving and sustainable built environment planned for future generations; and a city that tells its stories and finds a healing path forward. The individuals honored tonight bring these principles to life every day through their service and commitment.

This celebration reflects the City's continued commitment to creating a supportive and high-performing public-sector organization-one where employee excellence is recognized and deeply valued.

21 small construction business owners completed 12-week training program designed to expand opportunity and build capacity.

RICHMOND, Va. - The City of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, celebrated the graduation of 21 small business owners who completed the 2025 Construction Contractor Series on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Main Street Station.

Launched in 2021, the Construction Contractor Series is a 12-week training program designed to support and strengthen small construction businesses throughout Virginia. The program ran from early July through mid-September and included weekly Tuesday evening sessions from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sessions were led by experienced professionals across the legal, financial, procurement and construction sectors. Participants primarily represented the Richmond metro area, with additional attendees from Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Each cohort included approximately 25 to 30 contractors.

The 2025 cohort included the following graduates: Eugene Gyau, 7 Favrd Hands Services LLC; Vicky Hill, A & T Striping Company Inc.; Michael Chambers, Chambers Electrical; Derek W. Evans, D.W. Electrical LLC; Oj Williams, Elite Plumbing & Consulting; Hinson Corprew Sr., Gold Standard Home Solutions LLC; Farrah Massenburg, Inclusive Infrastructure Solutions; Bailey B. Thurston, IV Air Company; Jessica F. Hogan, Lewis Improvements LLC; Joao Ribeiro, Little River Painting LLC; Vijay Majestic Lindsay, Majestic Contracting LLC; Rahsan J. Mitchel, Mitchell's Pest Control LLC; Kodye Stubbs and Kevin A. Stubbs, Not Just Junk Removal LLC; Terry Dixon Jr., Precise Handymen Onboard; LaWanda Carter, ProSphere Building Solutions; Daniel T. Shibley III, Shibley Enterprises Inc.; Jonathan Hudson, The Grounds Guys of Carytown; Zhen Ruby Tian, Tian Construction Group; and Tshika Jones, Virtue Contracting Group.

Instruction for the 2025 series was delivered by representatives from Gilbane Building Company, WM Jordan Company, DPR Construction, Hourigan, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Mark Turner Construction, Chesterfield Procurement, Henrico Department of Finance - Purchasing Division, Richmond Procurement Services, Fulton Bank, M&T Bank, Foundation Surety & Insurance Solutions, Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Metropolitan Business League, J&G Workforce Development, Sands Anderson PC, Virginia Commonwealth University, Partners Excavating Co. and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The city was also honored to welcome Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura, who delivered remarks during the ceremony and congratulated graduates on their achievements.

The program was organized by Randy M. Brown, M.A., business services manager for the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, and Robert Holmes, CCA, MCA, ECMCA, senior deputy director for the City of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development.

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The Office of Minority Business Development offers free programs and services for minority business enterprises (MBEs), emerging small businesses (ESBs), and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). OMBD provides one-on-one technical assistance, business assessments, registration and certification support, and access to training and procurement opportunities. For a list of upcoming events and workshops, visit www.rva.gov/minority-business/ombd-calendar.

Posted September 17, 2025

~ Safety Camera Program expanded to address crash-prone intersections on the city’s high Injury Network as part of the Vision Zero safety strategy ~

Richmond, VA – In response to rising red-light violations and serious crashes, the City of Richmond is expanding its Safety Camera Program to address red light running beginning at the end of the month, weather permitting. 

“Failing to stop at red lights is dangerous behavior that leads to serious injuries and tragic fatalities,” said Chief of Police Rick Edwards. “These cameras will hopefully reduce collisions at these intersections, leading to safer roadways for all in Richmond.”

Using crash patterns and violation data, the Department of Public Works and the Richmond Police Department collaborated to identify 10 pilot locations across the city’s High Injury Network. The following intersections are included in the pilot program:  

North of the James River 

1. 25th Street and Main Street

2. Belvidere Street and Cary Street

3. Brookland Park Boulevard and Chamberlayne Avenue 

4. Chamberlayne Parkway and Laburnum Avenue 

5. Mechanicsville Turnpike and Fairfield Way 

South of the James River

1. Belt Boulevard and Hull Street Road 

2. Cowardin Avenue and Hull Street 

3. German School Road and Midlothian Turnpike 

4. Commerce Road and Maury Street 

5. Hull Street Road and Warwick Road 

Project Timeline and Enforcement

Construction will begin at the intersection of East Main and 25th streets, at the end of September, weather permitting, and then proceed to the remaining intersections.

• Signage will be clearly posted at all camera locations to notify drivers
• Once operational, each camera will monitor intersections 24 hours a day
• After the 30-day grace period ends (at each individual location), enforcement will officially start and $50 citations will be issued to the registered vehicle owner, for each violation, in accordance with the Code of Virginia.

Why this Matters

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, red-light running caused over 1,000 deaths and more that 100,000 injuries in 2022 alone. Cities that have implemented similar programs have seen red-light running crashes decrease by as much as 21 percent. 

Drive Like Every Light has a Camera

Drivers are strongly encouraged to treat every red light as if it is equipped with a red-light camera – not to just avoid a citation, but to protect lives and support a safer, more connect Richmond committed to Vision Zero. 

For more information on Richmond’s safety camera program, please visit us online atrva.gov/police/safety-camera-program.

Residents are invited to learn more about transportation and construction projects across the city by attending RVA Builds: The Infrastructure Information Initiative Event on Tuesday, September 23 from 5 – 8:30 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 Main Street. This event will provide residents with a unique opportunity to connect with city staff, ask questions and engage with plans shaping Richmond infrastructure future. RSVP today or by September 22. Get additional information on the event and a link to register at rva.gov/rvabuilds

To learn more about Vision Zero, visit rva.gov/visionzero to explore resources, safety initiatives, and interactive data dashboards tracking progress toward eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Richmond. 

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

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 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 issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program. 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 - The City of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development, in partnership with Fulton Bank, is pleased to announce a new, five-week business growth program, "Positioning Your Business for Success," to equip area business owners with the resources and skillsets they need to build, protect, and expand their business here in Richmond.

The series, which kicks-off on September 25, will be led by industry experts and will cover a range of topics vital to business success, including branding and marketing, safeguarding business assets, understanding the landscape for accessing capital, and more. A full breakdown of the session topics can be found in the on the registration page.

"Owning a business is hard work," said Director of the Office of Minority Business Development Pat Foster. "There are so many moving pieces and complicated processes that are hard to fully appreciate until you experience it. I'm thrilled to be able to support our business community in this way and hope they can find some value in the resources and skillsets this training will provide."

Business owners who attend all classes, in their entirety, will earn a certificate to acknowledge their achievement, from the City of Richmond and Fulton Bank.

This program is free to area business owners, but spots are limited. Interested business owners are encouraged to secure their spot today.

Visit sugeni.us/e2gz to learn more and register.

September 11, 2025

As Mayor, I have made a foundational commitment to building a future in which every city resident lives in a safe, quality and code-compliant home and neighborhood. Our current public housing communities do not meet this basic standard, and we absolutely must develop and deliver a new model of deeply affordable housing for Richmond.

In practice, this means we must:

• Construct better homes for residents of public housing;
• Provide replacement housing choices to all current residents;
• Support residents throughout each stage of the redevelopment process by providing access to housing options, economic opportunities, and education;
• Maintain or increase the supply of deeply subsidized housing units available in the Richmond region;
• Create thriving, economically integrated neighborhoods that do not re-concentrate poverty.

Resident-centered public housing redevelopment will require an extraordinary commitment of time, energy, and financial resources, along with deep collaboration among all partners. Success depends on establishing trust with current residents; ensuring alignment between RRHA, City Council, and the administration; and building broad community support from businesses, philanthropic sectors, and the wider Richmond community. We must also develop a realistic financial strategy that secures funding from federal, state, and City sources to leverage additional private investment.

I appreciate recent requests from RRHA staff leadership to provide support for the Gilpin Court redevelopment proposal. City resources and leadership are essential to the redevelopment process moving forward. However, I cannot endorse RRHA's approach until the following requirements are met:

1. RRHA should use the Jackson Ward Community Plan (JWCP) as its guidance for the Gilpin Court redevelopment, and it will have to seek City Council approval of the plan as called for by the Richmond 300 Master Plan. Deviations from the plans require clear justification, and the opportunity for the public to discuss in a public process prior to its transmission to Council.
2. RRHA should revitalize the Gilpin Informed Residents initiative to ensure residents have access to accurate information and a trusted way to relay feedback and concerns to RRHA. RRHA should work with Gilpin Informed Residents and the Gilpin Tenants Council to develop a Tenants Bill of Rights to ensure residents have rights to return and to access housing options.
3. The Jackson Ward Community Plan states that all 781 Gilpin Court units are to be replaced by project-based voucher units in the Gilpin footprint and across the city. RRHA must confirm that this is still the plan, and if not, explain its plan for replacing each deeply affordable unit in Gilpin Court.
4. RRHA should develop and distribute materials very clearly showing the projected timeline for redevelopment and the critical steps leading to redevelopment; housing options for Gilpin residents; and services and resources available to Gilpin residents before, during, and after redevelopment.
5. Those supports should include, for instance, ensuring all Gilpin Court residents have adequate information and opportunity to become lease compliant and hence eligible for housing vouchers, as well as holistic family-based connections to workforce development, educational, and health services. RRHA must make every effort to assure all Gilpin residents receive robust support, regardless of current lease compliance status.
6. RRHA should withdraw its proposal to convey Gilpin Court to Richmond Development Corporation (RDC) until major concerns about RDC's governance structure are addressed. It is concerning that the majority of RDC board seats are held by RRHA staff members. The majority of the board should be long-term community stakeholders, and the City of Richmond should have permanent representation on the board.
7. RRHA should establish, in collaboration with the City of Richmond, an ongoing Jackson Ward Community Plan Steering Committee to provide advice, ensure implementation, and celebrate the achievements of the project. This steering committee should be comprised of the Gilpin Informed Residents, Gilpin Tenant Council members, Jackson Ward community members, City of Richmond staff, and other community stakeholders.
8. Upon request, RRHA must commit to providing the City detailed financial information; detailed information about resources and programming available to residents of Gilpin Court and other RRHA communities; and detailed information about the physical condition of RRHA properties.

As Mayor, it is incredibly important to me that discussions about Gilpin Court are carried out in a spirit of respect. Our City Council members have a responsibility to ask hard questions, and community members have every right to engage fully in this process. Unfortunately, for too many Richmonders, and especially Gilpin residents, there is not clarity about the goals of redevelopment, nor is there understanding about the specific action steps required to achieve success. Our city's families deserve better.

Our ultimate goal is to re-integrate historically isolated public housing communities into the broader fabric of our city. If we are serious about building a Richmond that truly thrives together, then we must be just as thoughtful about how we engage as we are about the outcomes we seek. For Gilpin's redevelopment to succeed, it must be rooted in healing and hope. The eight action items outlined above are important first steps toward ensuring this project moves forward in a way that reflects our values and strengthens our community.