Posted July 11, 2024

~ Volunteer community clean-ups slated plus the second round of 15 Neighborhood Clean-ups ~

RICHMOND, Va. –  The Department of Public Works launched a beautification and extensive clean-up campaign last month to revitalize community spaces and to provide residents and visitors with a clean, safe, and healthy environment. Using a comprehensive citywide plan, the department revved up programming across all divisions in the department’s operations portfolio to provide residents with the following enhanced services:

• Increased Litter Clean-Ups
• Graffiti Removal
• Enhanced Pavement Markings along streets classified in the high injury network (HIN)
• Sign Replacement
  
  • Updating and replacing signage in the HIN
• Streetlight Repairs
  
  • Ensuring well-lit streets for enhanced safety and visibility
• Vegetation Control
  
  • Roadside and green space maintenance along with maintaining tree wells
• Community Engagement - Together, we can all help keep Richmond clean
  
  • Encouraging volunteerism and participation with cleanup efforts across the city
  • Working with the community to provide information on upcoming clean-up opportunities. Go to: https://www.meetup.com/rva-clean-sweep/ for details and to sign up to volunteer
  • Providing residents with resources and clean-up supplies (vests, pickers and gloves) and information on how to organize an “adopt” a street, intersection, park, gateway
  • Organizing “Keep Richmond Beautiful” cleanup events with the Clean City Commission
  • Promoting environmental sustainability and coordinating recycling events
• Neighborhood Clean-Up Program – Round 2
  
  • See the schedule below and program guidelines
  • Round two kicks off July 13 for residents in the Bellevue/Ginter Park and Washington Park neighborhoods

Neighborhood Clean-Up Program – Details for the 2nd Cycle/Round 2:

• The Neighborhood Clean-Up Program offers residents in each of the designated 15 neighborhood zones across city with free curbside bulk and brush pickups between July 13 and November 2
• Select Saturdays, July 13 through November 2 (see the schedule with dates and locations below)
• All clean-ups are from 8 a.m. until Noon (rain or shine)
  
  • Residents should place items out Friday evening or by 6 a.m. on Saturday
• DPW crews will collect items curbside and in alleys (wherever trash is normally placed to be collected)
• Residents can use the DPW Service Finder to verify clean-up dates for their neighborhood

Examples of acceptable bulk items include:

• Furniture, mattresses, tires (four per household), appliances and brush (all brush must be cut into four-foot lengths and bundled)

Items NOT collected include:

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• Electronics, construction debris, hazardous waste items and broken glass

Note: In addition to Neighborhood Clean-Up Program, residents can also place bulk and brush items out for collection during the bi-weekly bulk and brush collection which coincides with the recycling schedule.

For information on the department go to www.rva.gov/public-works or send an email 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 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 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.

Posted July 8, 2024

~ Current parking decals expire July 31, 2024 ~

RICHMOND, Va.  – New parking decals for qualifying residents in the Randolph and South Mulberry Parking District are now on sale for $25. The current decal expires July 31. Residents can get more information, verify residency, and purchase a permit through the online portal www.rva.gov/public-works/parking-enterprise. Additionally, both mail-in and in-person renewal options are available.

Residents must display the permit on their car to park for more than the designed time restriction. A resident is either the residing owner of record or renter of property located within the Restricted Parking District. A City of Richmond Residential Parking Permit Application must be completed and approved prior to decal issuance. The Department of Public Works verifies residency for both homeowners residing at the property and lease agreements for renters.

A resident of the district is defined as an owner of record or renter of property in the district and members of their immediate family who reside with the owner or renter at the address in the district:

1. Who are licensed drivers, and
2. Whose domicile is the address for which they are seeking to obtain the parking permit

The following information and picture identification must be provided:

1. Property owners must provide either a copy of their real estate bill or other information that verifies ownership of the property
2. Renters must provide a valid written lease for property in the restricted parking district, and have the appropriate approval of the property owner on the application they present

Property owners and renters are required to comply with the residency requirements and the motor vehicle registration requirements of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Decals and applications are also available at City Hall, Room 102, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia. The office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call 804-646-5700 if you have any questions or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

For additional details, please use the 3-1-1 mobile app or online portal at www.RVA311.com or call 3-1-1.

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 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 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.

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities new utility rates are effective July 1, 2024 

Utility rate changes passed by Richmond City Council on May 13, 2024 go into effect with the first utility bills customers receive in July 2024. Department of Public Utilities (DPU) senior director April Bingham stated, “The effective and consistent delivery of quality gas and water services requires substantial programs to protect methods of supply, and regular investments for aging infrastructure to enhance service quality and service delivery. We are equally mindful of the financial hardships customers may be experiencing and invite them to explore assistance options outlined below by visiting RVA.gov/public-utilities.” 

These rate increases are projected to cost the average customer approximately $7.93 more per month. Here is a breakdown of the utility rates for natural gas, water, wastewater and stormwater rates, as approved:

NATURAL GAS          
The average residential customer will pay approximately $2.96 more per month for fixed distribution and customer charges. The purchased gas costs (PGC), are not included in this proposal as it is passed on dollar for dollar to the customer, without any mark up and adjusted on a monthly basis as warranted by market conditions. 

WATER
A typical water customer using 6 CCF’s (1 CCF = 100 cubic feet or 7.48 gallons) of water per month will see an increase of $0.82 on their overall water bill. This includes monthly service charge and volumetric charge (amount used).

WASTEWATER
A typical wastewater customer using 6 CCF’s (1 CCF = 100 cubic feet or 7.48 gallons) of wastewater per month will see an increase of $3.59 on their overall wastewater bill. This includes monthly service charge and volumetric charge (amount used) 

STORMWATER

Stormwater utility rates are based on the amount of impervious area (surfaces that cannot absorb water or that water cannot pass through) within a property. Roofs, walkways, gravel or asphalt driveways and decks are all categorized as impervious areas. Effective July 1, 2024 updated data is used to calculate the impervious surface area for each property. Property owners are invited to view that data at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/290a82d6acf743f49a78d79b5f532e8f/

Single family residents pay a flat stormwater fee based on the amount of impervious area that a property contains. Typical residential customers will see a $0.56 increase in their monthly bill. See the size and fees associated with single family residential tier below:

• Tier 1   (1000 or less sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay a fee of $3.23 per month
• Tier 2   (1,001 - 2,000 sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay a fee of $5.92 per month
• Tier 3   (2,001 – 3,000 sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay a fee of $9.62 per month
• Tier 4   (3,001 – 4,000 sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay a fee of $13.72 per month
• Tier 5   (4,001 sq. ft. or more of impervious area) will pay a fee of $19.90 per month
   

DPU remains committed to providing safe and reliable utility service while creating exceptional value. If you have fallen behind on your utility payments, DPU is here to help!  Full information and application details on all current programs can be found on our website at http://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/billing.  If you need to speak with a live agent about any account services, don’t delay, give us a call today at (804) 646-4646 for assistance.

• PromisePay Payment Plans – DPU’s partnership with PromisePay to bring flexible and convenient payment plans for customers who are behind on their utility bills. All customers with a past due balance may enroll in a PromisePay payment plan for their outstanding balance at Richmond.promise-pay.com. The PromisePay portal offers users the opportunity to select from a variety of payment plan options, set up automatic payments, and provide contact information for payment reminders and other account notifications through text messaging.  

• MetroCare Water Program – This water bill payment assistance program provides funds to eligible families and individuals who are having difficulty paying their primary water bills due to financial concerns. There is an application process and ratepayers can receive up to $500 per applicant if approved.       
   
• MetroCare Heat Program – This heating bill payment assistance program provides funds to eligible families and individuals who are having trouble paying their primary heating bills due to a financial difficulty or other special hardship. The program period begins December 15. Residents within Richmond Gas Works' service territory may apply for funds through MetroCare.
   
• MetroCare Water Conservation Program – This program provides financial assistance to eligible customers who are homeowners for plumbing repairs and the replacement of water-inefficient appliances with EPA WaterSense products to conserve water and reduce wasteful consumption. This program includes an audit approved by the Department of Energy for all eligible homeowners as a method for improving water use efficiency.           
   
• SeniorCare Program – This program caters to the unique needs of seniors 65 years of age and older in the Richmond metropolitan community. Senior customers can sign up for this program and take advantage of Winter Service Assurance, no late fees, security deposit waiver program, annual weatherization kit giveaways and third party notification.
   
• Equal Monthly Payment Plan – The EMPP budget plan spreads your annual gas bill over 12 months. The estimated monthly payment is based on the previous year's natural gas usage.

Posted July 2, 2024

~ Work is slated to begin this month & expected completion by Fall 2024, weather permitting ~

RICHMOND, VA. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is pleased to announce the upcoming construction of a new quick build project along Westover Hills Boulevard, Park Drive, and Blanton Avenue which form part of State Route 161 crossing the James River. The project will include street upgrades and provide important connections to the city’s bike network, expand accessibility, and improve safety for people walking, rolling, and biking. It reflects the city’s commitment to speed management as well as sustainable, multimodal transportation solutions and safety for all roadway users, regardless of age or ability.

Weather permitting, construction will begin this month and will be divided into two phases:

• Phase I: Westover Hills Boulevard beginning near Riverside Drive to the intersection with Dunston Avenue/49th Street
• Phase II: Park Drive and Blanton Avenue beginning at Pump House Drive to French Street

 During construction, residents may experience minor disruptions but every effort will be made to minimize inconveniences. Please be patient and give construction workers extra space and slow down when you see orange cones and work zones.

Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2024, weather permitting.

 This project supports the James River Master Plan and Richmond 300 to create multimodal neighborhood connections to parks. This project also supports the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan by using our complete streets approach to improve safe access for all. This process was driven by community input through a series of surveys and public engagements. Community feedback provided valuable input throughout the design process.

For more information on the Department of Public Works, please visit us online at https://www.rva.gov/public‐works or email us at 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 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 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.

Posted July 2, 2024

In observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, all City of Richmond offices, including City Hall, will be CLOSED. We will resume regular business hours on Friday, July 5.

• Animal Care and Control:
  • Closed on July 4, but don’t miss the sponsored pet adoption event by SlopePro Roofing July 5 to 7.
• Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities:
  • All offices and community centers will be closed on July 4. Pools will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Department of Public Works:
  • There will be no residential trash collection or bulk and brush collection on July 4. Collection will be delayed by one day. Trash scheduled for pick-up on Thursday will be picked up on Friday, July 5.
  • The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC - Landfill) located at 3800 East Richmond Road will also be closed on July 4.
  • Additionally, there will be no recycling collected. It will be collected on Friday, July 5.
• Department of Public Utilities:
  • For emergency utility services, call 804-646-4646 and press option 1.
  • For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.

Stay safe and enjoy the celebrations!