Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, Mayor Stoney announced Fitch Ratings, one of the three National Credit Rating Agencies, assigned the City of Richmond the highest possible rating of AAA! The other two agencies have reaffirmed our AA+ and Aa1 standings. The importance of this rating translates to the lower interest rates that will be available to the city for larger projects that we borrow money for like schools, traffic calming and economic development. Bond ratings are similar to a credit score.

Earlier this month City Council pass the FY25 city budget that starts July 1, 2024 and runs through June 30, 2025. You can review the proposed budget HERE. Once the adopted version is uploaded we will provide a more detailed update but some quick highlights: $17.6M for RPS maintenance needs, FY25 reflects a 58% increase in local contribution to RPS since FY17, $21M for traffic calming, sidewalks, and complete streets, and $800K for playgrounds at Riverview Playground and Holly Street Playground.

Please give a warm welcome to our summer 5th District Intern Sie'ara Dillard!

Sie'ara is currently a Junior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Criminal Justice. Due to her love for standing up for what's right and supporting individuals in need, Sie'ara is motivated to pursue a career as an attorney. 

In her free time, Sie'ara enjoys dancing, modeling, and volunteering at local outreach organizations including FeedMore. She hopes to expand her experience this summer by connecting with the community and individuals in her district.

The 5th District Office conducted one of our full district drives last Friday to check on conditions and progress of projects. We are happy to say that Fire Station 12 at Cary and Addison is coming along nicely and will be open by the end of the year!

We're sure that you all have been tracking the stories coming out of Carytown but if you missed anything please check out the new and approved Carytown Gateway Sign! We are proud of the work this office, Carytown Merchants' Association members, and city have put in this project to make it a reality. We also share excitement over the much needed traffic calming along the southern entrances to Carytown this heavy pedestrian neighborhood and shopping district.

WingChow and Mars were two of the dozens of artists that participated in this event!

We encourage you all to check out an amazing art project coordinated by Silly Genius and Chris Vis!ons at the city owned S. Colonial Parking deck behind the Byrd Theatre. This project (reel) has been happening over the last two weeks and we have enjoyed visiting and tracking the progress.

Thank you to everyone that was able to come out to RPD Sector 211's Pop Up Event yesterday in Fonticello Park for ice cream, music, and horses!

We hope everyone is able to take a moment to reflect this Memorial Day for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our county. The City will be closed on Monday, please take note of the closures and schedule changes (listed below).

Please know Amy will be headed out of town on one of her family's road trip adventures (Great Lakes) starting next Friday through June 18. Sie'ara will be helping monitor voicemails and emails.

Sincerely,

Stephanie, Amy, and Sie'ara (Intern)

DPU Call Center: Closed. For utility emergencies, call 804-646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.

Animal Care and Control:

• Saturday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

• Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Monday: Closed

Parks and Recreation Offices: Closed on Monday. Pools will operate from 12-7 PM on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Department of Public Works (DPW): Offices closed on Monday, May 27, and will reopen on Tuesday, May 28. No trash collection or bulk & brush collection on Monday. Collections will be delayed by one day. Monday pickups will occur on Tuesday, and so on through Friday, May 31.

Recycling Collection: No collection on Monday, May 27. Delayed by one day.

East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC): Closed Saturday, May 25 and Monday, May 27. Reopens on Tuesday, May 28.

From Councilmember Kristen Nye's 4th District e-newsletter regarding Forest Hill Avenue:

Emergency Sewer Repairs - Forest Hill Avenue

"I know the emergency sewer repair work on Forest Hill Avenue is at the top of almost everybody's mind in the 4th District. As such, I wanted to be sure to share the information the latest information that I have received.

In broadest strokes, the emergency repair work began today, Monday, May 20th, with the alternate traffic patterns having been installed this past Friday, May 17th. Please proceed with extreme caution through this area and pay especially close attention to all signs and especially pedestrians. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2024. DPU sent their latest notice about the project last week, which you can read here. 

I know this project is a massive inconvenience for so many 4th District residents, especially with the elongated timeline, and I am truly sorry. Please know that DPU has reassured me they will work as quickly as possible to complete these repairs and will share updates as soon and often as they are able.

If you have any additional/more detailed questions about the project, please let me know and I'll be happy to connect you with the appropriate DPU personnel."

Please note VDOT is collecting feedback on the Mayo Bridge Replacement Project through June 9. The link to the survey and contact information for questions about the project can be found here.

Summer is almost here, and Richmond Public Library is ready! Summer Reading begins June 1, find a kickoff event at your favorite library, if you want even more options, check out What’s Happening around the library system:

Main Library

• On Tuesday June, 4, join us for How we do it: Learn about accessible reading resources for the blind and low-vision to hear speakers from ACBVA, the Richmond Public Library, Virginia Voice, and the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) Library and Resource Center will share information about helpful reading tools available to assist you in meeting your life goals for independence, personal growth, and development
• First Friday this month is June 7 from 6:30-8:30pm
• On Saturday, June 8, come out to visit Teeny Tiny Farm from 11am-12pm. Check out a mini cow, mini horse, mini goats, mini pigs and even a mini alpaca!
• The Keys to Homeownership -Affordable Housing Workshop will be June 15 from 9:30am-5pm. Two homebuyer information class sessions in one day will cover down payment assistance/affordable housing programs and the homebuying process. This event is sponsored through Virginia Housing, please register for Session 2 (10:30am-5pm)
• RIPPLECON is BACK! Visit the Main Library June 22 between 10am-4pm to enjoy gaming, crafts, photo ops, cosplay contests (with prizes!) and more!

Belmont Branch Library

• Come out June 15 at 11am for our Author Talk and Q&A with Richmond’s Audrey Burges, author of The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone
• Teen Art - Calling all tweens and teens who LOVE art! Join us each Tuesday from 2-4pm all summer. Learn about different mediums and create weekly projects. Learn about watercolor painting, yarn art, construction, clay and more! Come to one or come to all BUT registration is required.
• Belmont Crafters will make summer wreaths on June 12, 4-5:30pm. Please register here.

Hull Street Branch Library

• Join us June 4 from 12-2pm for The Art of Books, RVA, an intriguing (and relaxing) book folding class. Seats are limited, so please register.
• June 11 from 11am-12pm join a Ranger to learn about Adventures in Virginia State Parks. Chat with a Ranger about local wildlife and ways we can keep our parks beautiful. Discover what our state parks have to offer with a fun, nature-based activity in your library. Ages 4 and up!
• JOIN us for the Senior Book Club (formerly the Fiction Focus Senior Book Club) June’s book is The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson. Book available throughout the library system in book, eBook, and e-audiobook format

A few reminders for this program:

• · Free! Must be a resident of the City of Richmond
• · Must be 55+
• · Must have a City of Richmond library card (free)
• · Books provided for one-month loan

Contact us for the Book List Schedule and any questions or concerns, this Senior Book Club is a partnership of the Richmond Public Library and City of Richmond Office on Aging & Disability Services

Westover Hills Branch Library

• Visit us June 10 from 11am-12pm for Adventures in Virginia State Parks. Chat with a Ranger about local wildlife and ways we can keep our parks beautiful. Discover what our state parks have to offer with a fun, nature-based activity in your library. Ages 4+
• Check out Skywatch with the Richmond Astronomical Society June 17 from 9-10pm, a gathering of astronomers who bring their telescopes to a site to provide visitors a view of celestial objects. Join us for a live view of the night sky with the experts. This program takes place outdoors (weather permitting) and after-hours. The library building, checkouts, computer use, and other library activities will not be available. Register here.
• Estate Planning Legal Workshop will be held June 29 from 11am-12:30pm. Learn the basics of wills, trusts, and estate planning from local attorneys. The RPL Law Librarian will share how to find examples of wills, power of attorney, and other legal forms using Lexis, Westlaw, Gale Forms and other legal research tools accessible for free at the Richmond Public Law Library. Register here for this event.

and as a reminder…

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 – All libraries will be closed for Juneteenth.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the library, come see us and get your free library card. After all, Adventure Begins at Your Library!

This newsletter shares important resources for residents, however, it does not reach all of the district residents. Please share it and encourage neighbors to sign up for it.

Click here to sign up for the 5th District Newsletter.