FOIA Library Approved, Major Economic Development Investment Secured, City Center Actions Move Forward

Richmond, VA - On Monday, December 15, Mayor Danny Avula applauded a slate of measures that strengthen transparency, advance economic development, protect historic neighborhoods, and move long-planned redevelopment efforts forward reinforcing the City's commitment to a Thriving Richmond built on trust, accountability, and smart growth.

Together, these actions reflect an Administration focused on getting the fundamentals right: increasing transparency, investing in people and places, and moving long-standing priorities forward.

Building a Thriving City Hall

Leading the list of accomplishments, Council approved ORD. 2025-240, the Mayor's ordinance to establish a Citywide Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Library. The FOIA Library will make commonly requested and high-interest public records easily accessible online, strengthening transparency and accountability while protecting privacy, safety, and confidentiality.

The ordinance builds on a year of ongoing work by the Administration, including the launch of the City's FOIA Water Library in April 2025, which made frequently requested water-related records publicly available.

"As a public health doctor and now as Mayor, open communication and transparency have been a bedrock of my work," said Mayor Danny Avula. "The FOIA Library is an extension of those values. By making information easier to access, we strengthen accountability, build trust, and continue to show residents that City Hall is focused on getting the basics right. I'm genuinely excited about what this unlocks for residents, and grateful for the support that helped make it happen."

Investing in Thriving Families and Public Spaces

Council also approved the ORD. 2025-242, extending the operating agreement between the City of Richmond and the Maymont Foundation. The agreement allows the Foundation to continue managing, maintaining, operating, and improving Maymont Park, one of the City's most cherished public spaces.

"Maymont is a place where families gather, memories are made, and Richmond's history and natural beauty come together," said Chris Frelke, Director of Parks and Recreation. "This agreement ensures continued stewardship of this beloved park and supports our shared goal of creating welcoming, high-quality spaces for families and visitors alike."

Mayor Avula is the patron of the ordinance.

Advancing a Thriving Economy

Mayor Avula also applauded the passage of ORD. 2025-247, an ordinance he patroned, authorizing the City to accept and invest $15,000,000.000 from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The ordinance creates a new special fund within the Department of Economic Development to support infrastructure improvements tied to CoStar Realty Information, Inc.'s existing and planned facilities at 501 South 5th Street and 600 Tredegar Street.

The investment supports long-term growth, job creation, and infrastructure improvements.

"Strategic infrastructure investments like this help Richmond grow in a way that's sustainable and competitive," said Mayor Danny Avula. "By partnering with the Commonwealth, we're strengthening our economic foundation, supporting good jobs, and positioning Richmond for long-term success."

Advocating for Richmond at the General Assembly

Council also adopted RES. 2025-R051, jointly patroned by the Mayor and City Council, endorsing Richmond's 2026 General Assembly Legislative Agenda and encouraging the City's legislative delegation and partners to support its priorities. The resolution represents a collaborative effort. For the first time in many years, Richmond City Council and the Administration have collaborated to ensure the City presents one unified agenda for the General Assembly. The Legislative Agenda, contained within the resolution, empowers Richmond to grow responsibly, protect residents, fix aging systems, and take critical actions with the state as a strong partner.

"This year, Richmond's joint legislative agenda reflects months of collaboration across City departments and with Council," said Ruth Morrison, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. "It positions the City of Richmond to advocate effectively for policies and resources that support our residents, our economy, and our long-term priorities."

Making Decisive Progress on City Center

Additionally, the Mayor expressed his enthusiasm for the introduction of a series of economic development ordinances that advance redevelopment of the former Public Safety Building site at 500 N. 10th Street. The ordinances will convey the parcel to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and authorize a cooperation agreement that allows the EDA to work with GRTC to pursue a new Downtown Transfer Hub with a 10-bay bus terminal, rider and operator support spaces, and a privately led mixed-use overbuild with parking.

A third ordinance amends the 2022 Coliseum Parcel Redevelopment Cooperation Agreement to align with the City's phased City Center framework, extending timelines and enabling component redevelopment of the site.

Together, these actions advance long-planned City Center priorities while preserving flexibility and do not authorize any city funding or financial incentives.

"This is decisive progress for City Center," said Angie Rodgers, Director of Economic Development. "Richmond is ready for real progress, and we're delivering it. Moving forward on the Public Safety Building site, Coliseum demolition, and a convention center hotel, this is a precursor to how the City plans to move forward on many of its major projects throughout our corridors in 2026 and beyond, one strategic bite at a time."

Hey Richmond, It's Your Mayor, Danny.

For me, the idea of home has always been about more than just a roof over our heads. It's about community. It's about belonging. It's about building a Richmond where everyone-regardless of income, background, or zip code-has the opportunity to thrive.

Twenty-five years ago, I came to Richmond for medical school. I stayed because I fell in love with this city: its people, its promise, and its potential. I planted roots in the East End, drawn by the vision of Dr. King's Beloved Community: a place where neighbors care for one another, where families grow together, and where everyone has a place.

Over the years, I've seen that vision challenged. Rising housing costs have pushed longtime residents out of the neighborhoods they helped build. The fabric of our communities has started to fray. That's why, from day one, my administration has made housing a top priority. It's Pillar Two of my Mayoral Action Plan.

We've been working hard to meet the housing needs of our city so that Richmonders at every income level can afford good housing in safe neighborhoods with strong public amenities. And now, we're preparing to take the next big step.

In mid-January, I'll be announcing my comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy-a multi-tool approach designed to protect what makes Richmond special while building a future that's inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. We'll be using every tool available, including:

• The Affordable Housing Trust Fund
• Performance grants to support new development
• A code refresh to unlock more housing options
• And focused anti-displacement measures to protect longtime residents

This strategy recognizes what Richmonders have told me again and again: there's no single solution to our housing challenges. It will take creativity, collaboration, and commitment from all of us.

I invite you to watch my latest DannyCam where I share more about why this work matters so deeply to me and why it's central to the future we're building together.

I'm so excited to share more and to create, together, a city where everyone has a place, where everyone belongs, where everyone thrives.

In service,

Danny

RICHMOND, VA - The City of Richmond is informing residents, businesses, and visitors that updated parking enforcement will begin in the Greater Scott's Addition neighborhood on Monday, January 5, 2026. The change reflects a community-driven decision by the Greater Scott's Addition Association (GSAA) Board, which voted on August 5, 2025, to reinstate and refine parking enforcement to better serve the neighborhood's rapid growth and evolving needs.

In 2020, GSAA suspended parking enforcement in historic Scott's Addition during pandemic-era stay-at-home policies. Since then, the neighborhood has seen substantial development-including new housing, expanding businesses, and a dramatic increase in daily activity-placing new pressure on limited on-street parking.

Under the updated plan, most residential blocks in historic Scott's Addition will continue to offer free and unlimited parking. Select high-demand commercial corridors, however, will transition to timed-parking zones to improve turnover and support access for customers, employees, and service providers. The City of Richmond will implement and monitor the enforcement updates and will work with GSAA to evaluate outcomes in 2027.

"Scott's Addition has grown into one of Richmond's most dynamic neighborhoods," said the GSAA Board. "As activity increases, parking must work for everyone; residents, businesses, and visitors. This updated plan is the product of community input and is designed to keep the neighborhood thriving."

"I'm grateful for the engagement and collaboration between the GSAA and the Department of General Services to ensure our on-street parking rules best balance the changing needs of Scott's Addition," said Councilmember Katherine Jordan. "My office is always here to support our district's mobility needs, including parking."

For questions about how the City enforces parking, please contact Lynne Lancaster with the Department of General Services (Lynne.Lancaster@rva.gov, 804-646-6006)

Explore the Scott's Addition parking map. 

Details on public parking and updates can be found at: rva.gov/public-works/parking-enterprise

Posted December 12, 2025

RICHMOND, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) will temporarily pause street sweeping operations for the remainder of 2025. This proactive measure is being taken to ensure public safety, protect city equipment, and maintain overall operational efficiency during the winter season.

Due to consistently severe winter weather conditions, road surfaces are often obstructed by snow, ice, and debris that make regular sweeping unsafe and less effective. To address these challenges, the city will pause street sweeping operation until January 5, 2026, weather permitting.

During the pause, residents are encouraged to stay updated on winter maintenance notices and observe any posted parking restrictions that remain in effect for snow removal and emergency access. 

We appreciate the community’s understanding as we prioritize safety for both our residents and our crews. Pausing street sweeping ensures resources are focused where they are most needed during winter operations. 

We’re Social! For updates on 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 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; 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

Street Closure - Dock Street (Emergency Closure)

WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Works (https://twitter.com/DPW_RichmondVA) 

WHAT: Street Closure 

WHEN: Friday, December 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Dock Street in both directions between 15th and 17th streets (in the 7th voter district)

BACKGROUND: This emergency closure is needed to allow crews to replace the transformer cable at the 1670 Dock Street.

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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; 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 and scooter 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