Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond illuminates City Hall in pink tonight to mark the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This powerful visual display served as a symbol of support for survivors, a tribute to those we've lost, and a call to action for awareness and early detection.

Throughout October, the City's Department of Human Resources - through its Benefits and Wellness division has organized a series of educational and supportive opportunities for employees, including mammogram appointments, wellness webinars, resource tables, and team engagement around breast cancer awareness. These events are designed to empower City employees with tools to prioritize their health and well-being while also fostering a supportive and informed workplace culture.

"This month is not only about awareness but about creating safe spaces and access to care that supports the whole person," said Director of Human Resources Tyrome Alexander. "As a City, we are united in hope; honoring survivors, remembering those we've lost, and driving progress toward a cure."

The Benefits and Wellness team plays a critical role in strengthening the internal culture at City Hall and exemplifies the "people first, people always" motto championed by Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. Their ongoing work enhances the health and morale of our workforce through proactive initiatives that extend beyond physical wellness to support mental, emotional, and family wellbeing.

These efforts also reflect Mayor Danny Avula's commitment to Thriving Families. Recognizing that when we support the health and wellbeing of our employees, we strengthen the families they go home to each day. A thriving workforce means a thriving Richmond.

This year's programming was made possible through generous partnerships with organizations dedicated to health and wellness, including the American Cancer Society, Cigna Healthcare, Sentara Healthcare, Marathon Health, Airrosti, and the City of Richmond's Office of Sustainability. Additional partnerships include Old Tavern Farm and Agriberry Farm through the COR Produce Stand. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of all available programming this month.

Richmond, Va - On the morning of Tuesday, September 30 the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities will be conducting field tests on the 36" water transmission main along Hermitage Road as part of its water main relocation project. This main is being relocated in coordination with the Diamond District development project and ties into the water distribution systems for Hanover and Henrico Counties. The public utilities teams from Richmond, Hanover and Henrico have been in close coordination throughout this project and will each perform a role in the field tests on September 30. This is to ensure water system stability and resilience while the project contractor ties-in the new, relocated water main to the system - currently anticipated for mid to late October 2025.

The field tests will analyze the water distribution systems to determine if operational adjustments are needed to maintain adequate water pressure during peak demand periods for the tie-in process. The regional team will be closely monitoring and in constant contact throughout this event - which is expected to be complete by 10 a.m. that day. While there are no anticipated water service impacts to citizens, some residents in and around the North Side, Scott's Addition, Chamberlayne, Richmond Raceway, Highland Park and Mechanicsville areas may experience lower than normal water pressures during the tests, from approximately 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., while the regional public utilities teams monitor the systems and make necessary adjustments.

The City of Richmond's Office of Sustainability will host a community meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the East End Branch Library, located at 1200 N. 25th St. "Energy on the East End: Community Conversations", will share findings from a recent energy resilience assessment and invite community feedback on a proposed Resilience Hub to serve East End residents during emergencies.

The meeting is part of the Virginia Energy Resilience Study (VERS), a statewide initiative that provided the city with a $10,000 grant to assess energy vulnerabilities, develop design concepts for a solar-powered hub, and engage residents in resilience planning. Richmond's project focused on Census Tracts 201, 202 and 204, where communities face high energy burdens and disproportionate climate impacts.

The Office of Sustainability encourages East End residents to attend and share their insights. Register to attend here: Eventbrite Registration Link. More information is available at www.rvagreen2050.com.

About the Office of Sustainability:

The Office of Sustainability leads the development and implementation of RVAgreen 2050, Richmond's equity-centered climate action and resilience initiative. The office works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase community resilience to climate impacts, and ensure that frontline communities are prioritized in planning and investments. Its mission is to create a healthy, equitable and climate-resilient Richmond for current and future generations.

Lane Opening – 3200 – 3400 blocks of Williamsburg Avenue

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (https://twitter.com/DPUStreetNews)  
 
WHAT: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Completion and Traffic Pattern Update

WHEN:  

Monday, September 29 through Friday, October 3, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Monday, October 6 through Friday, October 10, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. until 5 p.m.

October 13 through December 31, 2025, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Weekends will not have flaggers, and the impacted area will only have eastbound traffic.

WHERE: 3200 – 3400 blocks of Williamsburg Avenue

PROJECT SCOPE:  Sewer Improvements

PROJECT IMPACTS: Starting Monday, September 29, crews will open one lane of flagger assisted westbound traffic at the 3200 – 3400 blocks of Williamsburg Avenue. This lane opening will be in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Monday through Friday through December 2025.  Outside of these hours the traffic pattern will revert to eastbound only traffic for this stretch of Williamsburg Avenue between Stony Run Road and S. 31st Street.

PROJECT BACKGROUND: The CSO Outfall 004 Improvement Project on Williamsburg Avenue, part of Richmond's Combined Sewer Overflow Interim Plan, involves installing a larger pipe, manholes, a relocated outfall into Gillies Creek, and control structures to better manage flow. Once complete, it is expected to prevent about 48 overflow events and 5.1 million gallons of overflow annually. The project is fully funded by a $100 million ARPA grant.

Construction milestones include near completion of the CSO regulator structure and successful construction of the large diameter pipe tunneling in Williamsburg Road and under the railroad crossing. Due to unexpected underground conditions, the completion date has shifted from January 2025 to December 2025, though the project remains on budget.

For these and other utility related updates follow us on Twitter @DPUStreetNews. 

For the most current and up to date information regarding emergency repairs, maintenance and road closures in your area, the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities encourages you to download CivicReady. Stay updated, stay informed, stay ready. 

The red arrow on the map above shows the segment of Williamsburg Avenue that is opening for the specified dates and times.

Watch the full budget kickoff, available on YouTube.

Richmond, VA -- On September 25, Mayor Danny Avula and Richmond City Council, along with Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald, hosted a Budget Kickoff to mark the beginning of the City's refreshed budget process. City leadership reviewed changes coming to this year's budget process and renewed shared commitments to the values and priorities guiding their work. The new process is the product of a joint Budget Task Force to allow more time for budget development and to increase community engagement.

"The budget process is about dollars and cents, but it is also about choices," said Mayor Danny Avula. "Through the budget, we make choices about where we put our resources and what kind of city we want to build together, as well as how we do that. I am so proud to strengthen public participation in this important process. Richmond, we see you!"

The Budget kickoff responds to one of the six recommendations to emerge from this summer's Budget Task Force, which identified early collaboration as an important element of a revised process. The recommendations in full are as follows:

1. Early collaboration: The Mayor and Council hold a public budget kickoff to establish shared understanding of the budget process timeline and later meet for a facilitated discussion on top budget priorities
2. Restructured timeline: move up the timeline for the Mayor's budget submission
3. Efficient work sessions: reorganize budget work sessions around four City of Richmond portfolios (Human Services; Finance and Administration; Planning and Economic Development; and Operations)
4. Standardized amendment procedures: implement a standardized amendment process
5. Enhanced public engagement: conduct additional public hearings before the Mayor's submission of his budget and on Councilmember budget amendments
6. Annual review: reconvene annually for continuous improvement

"This is the first time that we have Council, Administration, and Departmental leaders assembled with buy-in and support for a joint, collaborative budget process. Because of the work of the Task Force, there will be more time and more opportunity for community input," said Richmond City Council President Cynthia Newbille. "I am really looking forward to the work ahead and know that we will come out with a much better product."

Following today's Budget Kickoff, the timeline will be:

• September: Public Budget Kickoff, early district priority submissions to integrate community concerns into citywide planning.
• December: Facilitated meeting to establish 5-7 shared priorities between Administration and City Council with required public hearings.
• January - February: Town halls for additional input from the community.