5th District e-Newsletter

Dear Neighbors,

We have really enjoyed seeing you all at civic association meetings and throughout the community at events over the last two weeks. This newsletter will be pack full of upcoming events and survey links!

We want to highlight the 5th District Town Hall is coming Thursday, September 19 at 6pm at Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts. We will have the new Opioid Response Coordinator Michael Fatula and Department of Public Works Director Bobby Vincent as guests. The remainder of the agenda will be dedicated to district and city updates along with plenty of time for Q&A. Please note we will not be able to enter the building until 6:00PM and the meeting is on the second floor in the auditorium. The school does not have an elevator but a stair case lift.

DPW Infrastructure Improvements

As you drive around the district please be mindful of: 

• New traffic patterns in Byrd Park along Blanton and Park Drive with the additional of the bike lanes AND stop signs in front of the Carillon.
• On Belvidere near Rowe at the VHDA the installation of a long awaited Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon for the neighbors and students at Open High School is being installed.
• On Semmes the W. 34^th and FHA/Semmes/Dundee intersections are being reworked. You will see a new temporary traffic light go up. The final poles are on order and will arrive later in the project.
• Later this month there will be construction at the Bainbridge/FHA curb to install a new sidewalk. 

We continue to track and push dozens of project that residents have come to us with over the years. Some requests are quick, other do take years of budgeting and planning. The first step for all infrastructure requests is to enter a RVA311 request.

Richmond People's Budget Idea Collection

Introduction

Welcome to the Richmond People's Budget! This is your opportunity to shape the future of your community by sharing your ideas for improving Richmond. We believe that no idea is too big or too small—every voice matters in making Richmond a better place to live, work, and study.

How would you make your neighborhood better?

We encourage you to think creatively and consider how capital improvement projects (CIP) could enhance the quality of life in your district. Examples of capital improvement projects include:

• Building a new park or playground
• Installing public art and murals
• Upgrading sidewalks and street lighting

Guidelines for Proposals:

• Must be a Capital Improvement Project: Your project should focus on physical infrastructure that benefits the public, like parks, streets, or community centers.
• Must Be Located Within the City of Richmond: Your project should serve the residents and communities within city limits.

Eligibility

All residents, workers, and students in the City of Richmond are eligible to propose ideas and vote in the general ballot in April 2025. You must be at least 14 years old. Your immigration status and post-incarceration status will not affect your ability to participate.

Must Fit Within the Budget for Your District:

• Each District is going to get $200,000.
• Plus, there is another $1.2 million to support projects in areas that deserve a bit more. We are expecting either an added $100,000 in District 3, 5, 7 or $300,000 in District 6, 8, 9.

All ideas will be shared and published to our website so that the public can see and comment on them. Your name and personal information will not be shared.

SUBMIT AN IDEA

Fall 2024 | Winter 2025 Parks and Recreation Digest is now live!

Parks Richmond INSPIRE’s survey 1 is now ready! 

Survey 1 is the community’s first opportunity to be involved in the planning process of the PRCF Master Plan. Richmond INSPIRE will offer a vision and roadmap for the Richmond park and recreation system for years to come. Share your experiences with the park system, what you love, and where the system could improve.

To make sure the final vision and plan are community-driven, we need to hear from you!

Complete the survey to be entered to win one of three $50 Target gift cards. Deadline is September 27, 5 PM.

TAKE THE SURVEY

November 5, 2024 Elections

We are currently 53 days out from the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 election! In addition to the presidential race, Richmonders will be electing a new Mayor, City Councilmembers, and School Board Members.

The 5th District civic leadership will be hosting a 5th District Mayoral Forum on Thursday, October 10 at 6pm at Richmond High School for the Arts' auditorium (formerly George Wythe High School). All five candidates have committed to attending. The steering committee is in the process of collecting questions that they will compile and condense. If you would like to submit a question(s), click the link below by September 23 at 5PM.

SUBMIT A QUESTION

We know there are a bunch surveys and feedback links above. We recognize the People's Budget and Richmond Inspire Parks Master Plan have some overlap but please take some time with friends and family to complete them. These programs and plans will guide tax dollar spending for several years, please let your voice be reflected!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the 5th District office but please know we do receive a high number of emails every day. Please have patience with us as we work through those everyone's emails. Already having an RVA311 ticket number helps us in processing your concern faster.

Sincerely,

Amy

5th District Liaison

CORRECTION on Early Voting Locations/Times

Early Voting for this election will be from Friday, September 20th 2024 until Saturday, November 2nd 2024.

Additionally, there will be Early Voting available on Sunday, October 27th at all three Early Voting locations from 1 PM - 5 PM. 

The locations, dates, and times are as follows:

Office of Elections: 2134 West Laburnum Avenue Richmond, VA 23227

• Sept. 20th 2024 – November 2nd, 2024

8:30 AM – 5 PM (Monday – Friday)

9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday, October 26th 2024)

1 PM - 5 PM (Sunday, October 27th 2024)

9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday, November 2nd 2024)

Satellite Locations for Early Voting will be available starting October 7th, 2024:

City Hall: 900 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219

• October 7th 2024 – November 2nd, 2024

8:30 AM – 5 PM (Monday – Friday)

9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday, October 26th 2024)

1 PM - 5 PM (Sunday, October 27th 2024)

9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday, November 2nd 2024)

Hickory Hill Community Center: 3000 East Belt Blvd Richmond, VA 23234 

• October 7th 2024 – November 2nd, 2024

8:30 AM – 5 PM (Monday – Friday)

9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday, October 26th 2024)

1 PM - 5 PM (Sunday, October 27th 2024)

9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday, November 2nd 2024)

For more information or to check your existing registration, voting location, or candidate list visit here.

Fox Elementary School Events

Kickers Spirit Night - Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 6pm

Buy tickets here, for every ticket bought through the link the PTA receives $7

Seasonal Roots CSA

Join Seasonal Roots for only $25/year (1/2 off!), using code FOXES and the

PTA earns $20 for each sign up.

Once you are a member, you place weekly orders on their website which get delivered to your door.

Sign up here

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.