Patterson Ave Paving Complete!
I am happy to report that the paving of Patterson Avenue is finally complete! The formerly teeth rattling road is now smooth as glass and looks great.
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Per my meeting last week with Chief Administrative Officer Byron Marshall, next on the list in this fiscal year are Kensington Ave. and Grove Ave. in the Museum District as well as Cary St. between Mary Munford School and I-195. Other roads in the Museum District are scheduled for repaving in the next fiscal year but I will keep working to have them moved up if possible.
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Planting Trees in the Museum District
If you live in the Museum District and sign up before September 2, you can Adopt-A-Tree and the Museum District Association will pay 50% of the cost!
The MDA will contribute $25 of the required $50 tax-deductible contribution for current MDA members who wish to participate. Trees will be planted later this fall or in the spring, depending upon the species. Click here for information.
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Updates & Retweets!
Keep up to date with my Twitter feed for news, updates and retweets from other city officials and departments and personalities around RVA!
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Help Me Raise Money
Did you know the Special Olympics of Virginia State Games have been held in the 1st District at the University of Richmond every summer since 1983?
On Friday, October 18, I will participate in a fundraiser for the Special Olympics of Virginia by rappelling (thankfully with a rope!) 400 feet off of the Sun Trust building Downtown and I would kindly ask your support to help reach my goal to raise $2,000 for their cause.
If you are able to contribute $5, $10, $25, $50 or more to the Special Olympics, it will go a long way to reaching their goal of $75,000 from this event. All money is collected electronically or by check by the Special Olympics and is not a political donation in any way. Donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support!
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If you are planning on going on vacation, the Richmond Police Department will make periodic checks on your home or business, if you fill out the Home Watch -- Business Watch Request Form and either mail the completed form or drop it by precinct 311 headquarters located at 301 S. Meadow St., Richmond, VA 23223. You can also call Lt. Stith at (804) 646-1412.
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If You Have Gmail.....
 All Gmail users who receive our newsletter and other email updates should be aware of a new policy from Gmail that separates newsletters and "promotional" mail from personal email and social media related email.
Gmail accounts will notice the tabs at the top of their inbox and if they do not see their regular newsletters or email sent to a list from a service such as Constant Contact or Mail Chimp, they can click on the Promotions Tab and should find the emails under that heading. You can set your preferences to have the email land under the "Primary" tab but you must do so manually.
Learn more about the new Gmail layout here.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
--Mon., Sept 9
--Mon., Sept 23
1st District Town
Hall Meeting
Tue., Sept. 24 at 6pm
Albert Hill Middle School
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Pictures Are Worth 1,000 Words
Please send us a picture(s) with your request for service or issue. Many times, a picture snapped with your cell phone goes a long way to helping us relate your request to City staff so they can easily identify the issue and correct it!You can always call my office or use SeeClickFix to report issues such as potholes, non-functioning lights, bulk pick up requests, etc. You can also log in to the Citizens Request Service (CRS) to report more serious needs or call my office.
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Important Numbers
Police Sector 311
Lt. Mike Stith Sector
804-646-1412 - E-mail
Finance Department
Kevin Ervin
804-646-6452 - E-mail
West End Library
804-646-1877
Web site
Belmont Library
804-646-1139
Web site
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Contact Me
804-646-5349 (Office)
804-592-1060 (Cell)
900 E. Broad St. Ste. 303
Richmond, VA 23219
Eli Wong, Council Liaison
804-310-1738 or
Social Media   
Committee Assignments:
- Land Use, Housing & Transportation (Chair)
- Government Operations
- Organizational Development
- Education & Human Services (alternate)
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Mail Updates
If you know someone who would like to receive these e-mail updates via U.S. Postal Service, please e-mail me here or call 804-646-5349 and provide their name and mailing address.
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5805 Grove Ave. Special Use Permit
The owners of the building that houses Chadwick's at 5805 Grove Ave. have applied for a special use permit to add a third floor to the existing structure. The first floor would remain retail and the upper floors would be converted to four condos, ranging in size from 2,400 square feet to 3,600 square feet.
The submission will be reviewed by the Planning Department staff and they will draft the ordinance that will likely be introduced in mid-to-late October and then go before the Planning Commission in November or December. If you have comments or questions about this plan, you may contact Lory Markham at 804-646-6309 or lory.markham@richmondgov.com.
Public input can be submitted via comments to Lory Markham, letters to her and/or the Planning Commission, at the Planning Commission meeting(s) and at City Council meeting(s). Until the staff has reviewed and suggested changes, though, the plans are merely a suggestion of the applicant and has not received staff input or suggested changes. Click here for more details and the applicant's report.
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TJ Facilities Plan Meeting Wednesday, August 28
A community meeting to discuss the possible upgrades to athletic facilities at Thomas Jefferson High School will take place at the school on Wednesday, August 28 at 6:30 PM.
There has been some preliminary planning to upgrade the football field and baseball diamond as well as add a track that would be available for public use.
The meeting will be hosted by the Jefferson Terrace and Sauer's Garden's Associations and is a good opportunity to learn more about the concept, provide input and feedback, and discuss a timeline for possible implementation.
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Police Update
Recent Burglaries & How We Can
Help The Police
Two weeks ago a trio of burglaries occurred within a short period of time on the 4400 block of W. Grace St., the 4600 block of Leonard Parkway, and Greenway Lane.
The police given a strong lead to an out of state team passing through the City because a neigh bor in the W. Grace St. burglary noticed a suspicious car, noted the color of the car, and got the plate number.
Without the license plate of the out of state car, this crime would likely never be solved. Because of the tip, it is very likely it will be solved and soon.
In the case of the Leonard Parkway burglary, someone did notice the suspects knocking on the door loudly but then they left the premises. The suspects were seen at the house again an hour later and one suspect walked around the side of the house, which should warrant an immediate call to police.
All of you and your neighbors know your street the best. The police actively use data of reports on file and of people and incidents from a certain area at a certain time in a certain car, etc. to track down suspects and solve crimes. Please help them by reporting any suspicious activity or anything out of the ordinary.
There have been some reports of recent shed break-ins in the district this also occurred with frequency last summer when there were more than 30 incidents during one stretch. So far there have been 18 outbuilding burglaries in the First District overall since June 20. This article from last summer's Times-Dispatch explains what happened then in more detail.
Police found some of the sheds were locked and others not and that thieves like to target these sheds mainly between Sunday night and Wednesday when people are less likely to be doing yard work. Police remind residents to be on the lookout for burglars likely working in pairs and using either a truck or a van, particularly in the alleys.
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Thanks to the police for all their hard work and dedication!
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Bicycle Survey & Proposed Floyd Avenue Bike Boulevard
If you are an avid or recreational cyclist, the City wants to get your feedback on biking in Richmond in order to fully develop a Bicycle Master Plan.
"The intent of the plan is to develop specific infrastructure improvements, identifying the streets and types of infrastructure needed along each corridor. We want this to be a process that engages the public and provides us with input on the "what and where" of needed improvements."
Some people have written in reaction to a news story
that mentioned the bike study and that the process of turning Floyd Avenue into a Bike Boulevard was already in motion. That is incorrect.
The Richmond Regional Planning District Commission has funded funded planning, design, and community outreach to see if a project on Floyd Avenue between Dooley Avenue and Monroe Park is feasible. I have talked with Councilman Agelasto and Council President Samuels about having a joint meeting sometime in the future to learn more about the possibility of this project and for residents to share their ideas and opinions. Please know that no decisions will be made without community input!
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Can You Take These Signs Down?
Signs like this one (found in the median on Roseneath Rd.) are illegal signs and can be removed by residents or the City if they are reported to the 311 call center. Similar signs advertising mosquito prevention or other businesses placed in the public right of way are also illegal (and annoying) and can be removed.
Contractors can place signs in yards when they are performing work at the address but should be removed when the work is complete.
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Get regular updates and news on my 1st District Facebook page!
(You don't need a Facebook account to access the page)
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RVA Street Art Festival Sept. 11-15 
The RVA Street Art Festival returns September 11-15 and will revitalize 5.5 acres of walls and buildings on the former GRTC depot on Cary St. with public art, murals sessions, sculpture, and mixed-media exhibits, include an active bike component, as well as share other ideas about the history and future of transportation in Richmond.
Nationally and internationally acclaimed artists will join with RVA's abundant local talent to create murals on the trolley barns, create sculpture using materials on site, offer local made crafts, food and drink, arts education activities for children, and focusing on expanding the conversation about transportation options and potential in Richmond. All proceeds benefit the programs at Art 180. Click here for more information.
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SCHOOLS' NEWS
Monarch Mile & Back To School Picnic at Mary Munford September 8!
Families at Mary Munford can take part in the first ever Monarch Mile, a non-competitive, free, family-oriented one mile run/walk on September 8 at 3:30 PM. The event will take place at the school, and will culminate in the back-to-school picnic from 4:00-7:00 PM. You can pack a picnic supper or purchase food from our food tent sponsored by the teachers involved in the Yale National Teaching Initiative.
Munford will hold their PTA and Back to School Night
Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00 PM. This is the ONLY non student meeting for the school year. You can meet the PTA officers and learn about the many activities planned. Mr. Muzik will show his staff video followed by parent visits to the classrooms to learn about the classroom programs.
Albert Hill Back to School Night Sept. 24
Albert Hill will host Back to School Night Tuesday, September 24th at 6:00 PM. Come meet the exceptional Faculty and Staff and get a look at all the exciting things happening this year!
 "Alarmingly Poor" SOL Scores "Across the area, students struggled with new reading, writing and science standards that were tested for the first time last year. In the area's four largest school systems - Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico - no single group showed improvement on any of the 16 new grade-level tests in those subjects.....This is going to take something that was missing in years past: honesty and a concerted effort for Richmond Public Schools and the community to put in place changes in culture and changes in outcomes." Click here to read the Times-Dispatch article.
"Analyze the results at the teacher level, not at the building level," he explained. "There's some teachers who have probably been successful, others have not. The second is what are the best practices in schools around you with young people like yours." - NBC12 story with comments from Bill Bosher.
Bring the Vikings Some Snacks!  There are still a few openings to help the TJ Vikings Football team by bringing healthy snacks for 65 high school boys. Granola or protein bars, fruits or vegetables, peanut butter sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, etc. are great choices to give the guys some much-needed energy during their practices! (The school provides water, so drinks are not needed). Click here to sign up. Local Student Athletes Get Equal Time to Pull Up Their Grades The Richmond School Board voted unanimously to overturn the previous Board's decision and delay the implementation of the GPA standard for sports until 2014, which is in line with the counties' similar actions. The extra time gives student athletes a one year trial period to learn the value of participating in athletics by being good students. Many who are involved in sports are far less likely to be involved with trouble, and this gives students an opportunity to better balance school and sport and to learn that succeeding in the classroom is essential if they want to succeed on the field/court. Read the Mark Holmberg report here.
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Mary Munford Community Center Meeting Set for September
A meeting to discuss the design and location of the Mary Munford Community Center will take place at the school Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30 PM.
will show interested residents and neighbors different design concepts and take questions and gather feedback for moving forward. The information from the meeting will be posted online following the meeting for those unable to attend to review and offer their input. |
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RVA #7 on List of Aspirational Cities
Richmond recently earned another accolade by being ranked #7 on the list of "Aspirational Cities" according to a recent study.
"Call them aspirational cities, or magnets of opportunity, but the urban areas attracting today's ambitious citizens are most likely Southern, culturally vibrant, modest sized, long on jobs, and short on traffic."
To determine America's current aspirational hotspots, we focused in large part on economic indicators, such as employment growth, per capita income, and unemployment. But we also took into account demographic factors, such as the growth of domestic migration and the movement of college-educated people and the foreign born.
Finally, we considered quality-of-life factors such as traffic congestion, housing affordability, and crowding-which are keenly relevant to young families hunting for the places with the best "inventory of the possible.""
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Rainbow on Monument
We've had a lot of rain and storms this summer which led to this rainbow on Monument Ave. on July 21. |
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