Media Advisory: Posted October 29, 2025

What: Join Mayor Avula and city leaders for the Vision Zero Pledge Signing Ceremony, a public commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Richmond’s streets. 

When: Friday, October 31 at 9 a.m.

Where: Main Steet Station (Head House), 1500 East Main Street

Who: Mayor Avula. City Officials, Transportation Safety Advocates, Community Partners and Residents Committed to Safer Streets

Why it Matters: Every life lost on our roads is one too many. By signing the Vision Zero Pledge, the City of Richmond is reaffirming its commitment to a future where everyone can travel safely, no matter how they get around. The effort aligns with engineering, education, and enforcement strategies to make Richmond’s streets safer and more accessible.

Media Opportunities: 

Remarks by Mayor Avula and key stakeholders. Photo opportunities during the signing ceremony.

Vision Zero resources, dashboards, and tips: rva.gov/visionzero

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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

Posted October 29, 2025

 ~ Arbor Day Ceremonial Planting and Tree City USA Recognition with Mayor Avula November 8 ~

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) invites residents to celebrate the beauty and importance of trees during Richmond Tree Week, November 1 – 8, with a call to action to plant, protect and appreciate trees. Richmond Tree Week is a collaborative effort with over 30 events hosted by many City departments and community organizations, coordinated by Reforest Richmond.

In conjunction to celebrating tree week, the department is announcing the launch of its first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan, a visionary roadmap to protect, expand, and enhance the city’s tree canopy. Developed in collaboration with community stakeholders and a multi-disciplinary consultant team, the Richmond Tree Plan will include strategies to help maximize benefits from the ecological, economic, and health advantages of a thriving urban forest. 

Key goals of the Richmond Tree Plan include:

• “Right Tree, Right Place” for the proper tree species selection for the site and maximizing urban heat mitigation
• Objective based tree maintenance and preservation through modern urban forestry policies
• Create a publicly accessible tree canopy assessment and track canopy change over time
• Expand outreach and education about tree stewardship and the benefits of trees

Public engagement is key to the development of the Richmond Tree Plan.  Join DPW’s Urban Forestry Division and partners at Weston & Sampson at one of the pop-up events below. Stop by, meet the team, enjoy refreshments, get creative with a tree-inspired craft, and discover how the Richmond Tree Plan is growing the city’s canopy.  

Events include:

1. Pop-Up: Wednesday, November 5 from 7 – 9 a.m.
   GRTC Downtown Bus Transfer Station

   808 E Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23219

2. Pop-Up: Wednesday, November 5 from 4 – 6 p.m.

   Broad Rock Community Center
   4615 Ferguson Lane, Richmond, VA 23234

    

3. Tree Storytime at Richmond Public Libraries

   November 1 – 8

   For schedule details, go to Kids Programming - Richmond Public Library

4. Cool the City Crafternoon at Abuelita’s

   Thursday, November 6 from 4 – 6 p.m.

   6400 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225

   Join the Cool the City coalition for a fun afternoon of crafts, trees, and delicious food from Abuelita's. There will be a tree giveaway, tree-related crafts, information on Cool the City and the Richmond Tree Plan, and did we mention — delicious food from Abuelita's

    

5. Arbor Day Ceremonial Tree Planting with Mayor Avula & Tree City USA Celebration

   Saturday, November 8 at 9 a.m.

   Chimborazo Park (in the front semi-circle)

   3215 East Broad Street, Richmond VA 23223

    

   Mayor Avula will join community members, volunteers, partners, and employees for the annual ceremonial tree planting event in the park. This year marks Richmond’s 34th year being recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, highlighting the city’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship.

    

   Approximately 50 volunteers are expected to take part in the tree planting portion of the event. There will be 95 new trees planted in the park over a two-day planting effort. Note: Pre-registration is required to participate in the volunteer planting portion of the event, please register at https://events.cbf.org/treeweek.

    

The culminating event is hosted by DPW’s Urban Forestry Division, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Friends of Chimborazo Park. 

Learn more at rva.gov/public-works/urban-forestry or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

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

The Richmond Tree Plan is funded by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the largest award in Virginia for urban forestry. This major federal investment underscores the city’s leadership in sustainability and equity-driven urban canopy management. Richmond’s Department of Public Works Urban Forestry Division is leading the plan, with support from the Office of Sustainability, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Groundwork RVA, Happily Natural, Southside ReLeaf, Virginia Interfaith Power, and Light, and other community partners.

Posted October 24, 2025

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is relocating the popular DIY Recycling Drop-Off and Compost Site from Stratford Hills Shopping Center to a larger, City-owned property to better serve residents and improve secure accessibility.

Beginning Tuesday, October 28, residents can use the new recycling and compost drop-off location at 7400 Forest Hill Avenue.

The Stratford Hills site will permanently close on Monday, October 27.

The move will provide more space for drop-offs, improved traffic flow, and enhanced safety for residents utilizing the site. The new, expanded location demonstrates DPW’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, waste reduction, and quality service delivery. 

The new site at 7400 Forest Hill Avenue will continue to accept the same recyclable materials and compost items as the current Stratford Hills site. Clear signage will be posted at both locations to assist residents with the transition.

For more information on recycling, please visit rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA or visit the Clean City Commission’s Instagram page @rvacleancitycommission

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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

Posted October 8, 2025

~ We Need Your Feedback: Surveys close October 31~

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is calling on residents to help shape the future of transportation by participating in two quick surveys that support efforts to make our city streets safer, more accessible, and better connected for everyone. 

Survey 1: New Vision Zero Projects (closes October 31)

Share your feedback on concepts for protected bike lanes on Patterson Avenue, Franklin Street, 1st Street, and 3rd Street.

Survey 2: Rethinking Short Trips (closes October 31)

This survey will help us understand current habits and improve city infrastructure to make non-car options more convenient and accessible.

Whether you walk, roll, cycle, or drive – your experience matters, and we want your input. Please take a few minutes to complete the surveys using the links below:

Survey Link 1: New Vision Zero Projects (https://arcg.is/1ea04j2)

Survey Link 2: Rethinking Short Trips (https://arcg.is/1yjmbW1)

To learn more about how DPW is building a multimodal city, please read the Richmond Connects Strategic Plan.

To learn more about DPW’s Vision Zero goals, please visit rva.gov/visionzero. 

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

Posted September 25, 2025

~ Public Meeting Scheduled for September 30 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.  ~

Richmond, VA – Over 495 crashes since 2017 have prompted the Department of Public Works (DPW) to host a community meeting on Tuesday, September 30, to address traffic safety concerns along Hull Street between Cowardin Avenue and Belt Boulevard.

The meeting will take place from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Richmond High School for the Arts, located at 4314 Crutchfield Street. Public input from this meeting will help guide future safety improvements and infrastructure decisions. 

DPW will present crash data, discuss proposed traffic calming measures, and gather feedback on community safety needs and priorities.

Hull Street Corridor - key data from 2017 to 2024:

• 495 total crashes (approximately 60 per year)

• 379 people injuries (approximately 48 per year)

• 45 life-altering injuries, including 5 fatalities

• 15 serious pedestrian injuries, with 4 people killed

• Speeding is a major factor, with the fastest 5 percent of drivers reaching speeds between 48 to 72 mph

Crash data also highlights several intersections with a high number of injuries:

      Intersection                     People Injured

• Chopton Street                  61

• Swansboro Lane                43

• Broad Rock                         37

• Evans Street                        28

• Playn Street                         28

• McGuire Drive                     28

• 36th Street                           22

• Blake Lane                           20

• 32nd Street                          19

• 30th Street                           17

• 37th Street                           15

• 33rd Street                           13

• 35th Street                           12

To learn more DPW, go to rva.gov/public-works and to get information and resources about Vision Zero, visit rva.gov/visionzero 

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