RICHMOND, Va. – The Department of Public Works recently completed work on a series of improvements along the Forest Hill Avenue Corridor from Hathaway Road to the Powhite Parkway. The $13 million federally funded project included improving the road from four lanes to five lanes by installing a raised landscaped median for left turn lanes, construction of a new storm sewer system for improved drainage, new sidewalks, curb and gutters, brick crosswalks, bike lanes, the installation of a new traffic signal, paving and pavement markings, and street light improvements. The corridor connects two limited access highways, the Powhite Parkway and Chippenham Parkway and now provides a safer, multi-modal corridor for all users. 

With the completion of this project, the Department and City Administration would like to express our sincere gratitude for the patience, service interruptions, and detours endured by the community during the long construction process. 
                   
For more information on 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 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 — Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced the appointment of April N. Bingham as the next director of the Department of Public Utilities.

Bingham is the first woman to serve in this critically important role. As director, she will manage the city’s water, wastewater, storm-water and streetlight utilities. Bingham will report to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Operations, Bob Steidel, who oversees the Departments of Public Utilities, Public Works, and the Office of Sustainability and Animal Care and Control.

Bingham came to the City in February 2020 as DPU’s deputy director for the customer service division. She replaces Alfred Scott, who has served as the interim director since the departure of former director Calvin Farr, Jr. in April.  Scott, the former deputy director for gas and streetlights, will become the general manager for Richmond Gas Works – the city’s natural gas utility.

“Mrs. Bingham developed effective partnerships and restructured the customer service division during the uncharted times and multiple challenges presented by the pandemic,” said Mayor Stoney. “Her leadership during this time, and 20 years of professional experience and success she brings to the city, make her the right choice to lead this critical public infrastructure going forward.”

Steidel touted Bingham’s leadership and dedication to customer service as key factors in her selection. “Mrs. Bingham’s experience, professionalism and passion will be great assets to the City of Richmond and I’m excited to have her in this new role,” he said.

“I’m truly humbled to be selected as the new DPU director and excited by the opportunity to further improve the customer experience and enhance DPU’s overall service delivery and workforce,” said Bingham.

Prior to joining the city, Bingham served in Washington, D.C. at the DC Water & Sewer Authority, where she oversaw the agency’s $33M meter upgrade project as the deputy program manager. She also served in the role of customer service manager for billing as well as meter and field services for a population of 120,000 water and sewer customers. Previously, she worked for Washington Gas Light Company and contributed to the improvement of its customer service operations.

Bingham earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and holds a Master’s degree in Management and Public Administration from the University of Phoenix.

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RICHMOND, Va. – A section of the Forest Hill Corridor is safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists now that a new traffic signal has been installed as part of the Forest Hill Avenue Improvement Project.   

The signal is at the intersection of Forest Hill Avenue and Melbourne Drive.  It will be energized on Monday, December 13 and temporarily placed in flash mode. Those approaching from Melbourne Drive will see a red indicator, while those approaching the intersection from Forest Hill Avenue will see an amber light.

The temporary flashing gives motorists an opportunity to adjust to the new signal ahead of it being set to function as a fully signalized intersection on Monday, December 20.     

For more information on 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 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.

On December 10, 2021, the City of Richmond Department of Housing and Community Development will issue a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for its first tranche of funding for affordable housing and related services under the American Rescue Plan Act. The first tranche totals $10 million.  

Interested nonprofits and other entities must submit their applications by January 10, 2022, no later than 4:30 p.m. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations and for-profit developers undertaking affordable housing activities and related services, including those for the homeless.

The city is hosting a mandatory virtual workshop on December 9, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to share information on the program guidelines and answer any questions. Interested applicants must attend this workshop.

To receive the meeting link, interested participants must register by contacting Gale Jones at Gale.Jones@richmondgov.com or (804) 646-7744. Registration closes at 4:00 p.m. on December 8.

Background Information: The Richmond City Council approved the spending plan for the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funding from the U.S. Treasury Department on October 25. That plan, which can be viewed in detail here, includes $20 million in total for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

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Click here for application materials

Applications for the city’s General Fund non-departmental grants, which go to local organizations to fund community-oriented programming, are now available on the city website.

Eligible organizations may apply for the city to fund specific programming in three key priority areas: children, youth and education; housing, human services and health; and the arts and culture. This application continues to be the form for all quasi-governmental organizations to apply for city funding.

This is a one-year funding opportunity for non-profits and public sector organizations working on a grassroots level to promote equity in the City of Richmond.

A virtual informational workshop will be held on December 6 at 3 p.m. to assist applicants with completing their materials. The virtual meeting link and call-in details are available here: https://www.rva.gov/budget-and-strategic-planning/forms-and-links.

All proposal materials are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021. Late submissions will not be accepted. Applicants should read guidelines carefully, as some materials have changed since last year’s application process.

Application materials should be submitted via email at BudgetNDRequests@richmondgov.com. If the applicant is not able to submit materials via email, an in-person drop box will be accessible on the first floor of City Hall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 13-17.

Applicants with questions should contact the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services at 804-646-3096.

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