Mayor Jones Announces Richmond's Eligibility to Pursue Federal EDA Funding

Mayor Dwight C. Jones' resolution to validate the City Administration's process for completing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was adopted by Richmond City Council during its final session of 2010. CEDS is an analytical document, which considers important economic development assets and opportunities, such as infrastructure, workforce development, target industries, and others. While the CEDS is an important tool to help the City achieve its economic development goals, it is also a prerequisite for access to many of the funding opportunities through the EDA. Richmond's approved CEDS strategy has now been submitted to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. To read the full CEDS, please click here.

Richmond Receives Award for Environmental Pioneering Work

The city of Richmond received the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group's Green Giant Award for it's environmental pioneering work, as it is the first major locality in the region to hire a sustainability manager and an energy manager to develop a comprehensive program to improve overall energy performance and increase sustainability. Among other items, the comprehensive program includes establishing a baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory, retrofitting 220 intersections with LED lights by the end of 2010, and creating two new green alleys with permeable pavers to reduce storm water run-off. To read the full story through the Alliance for Innovation website, please click here.

Mayor Jones Opens "RVA on Ice"

Richmond's newest downtown attraction opened to the public Wednesday, December 22, 2010. Mayor Dwight C. Jones opened the new outdoor seasonal ice skating rink "RVA on Ice" to an excited group of citizens eager to watch the professional ice skaters perform and take on turn on the rink as well. Click here to view a video from CBS 6 News' Mark Holmberg during the opening celebration and read about visiting details.

Richmond Represents USA in Bid for 1015 Cycling World Championship

On Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced the City of Richmond's bid to the International Cycling Union (UCI) to host the 2015 World Championship. To view the Mayor's announcement, please click here. To read an article regarding USA's bid in Cycling Weekly, please click here.

Richmond CenterStage Receives National Award for Historic Renovation and Reconstruction

Richmond CenterStage was recently awarded by Building Design and Construction Magazine the 2010 Reconstruction Award. Wilson Butler Architects and the building and construction teams at Gilbane Building Company and Christman Construction worked together to design and build this regional performing arts center, including the renovation of the historic Carpenter Theatre. "This award once again reminds Richmonders how fortunate we are to have a world-class performing arts facility in our backyard," said CenterStage Foundation Executive Director Richard M. Parison, Jr. "We are grateful to be recognized and proud to be such an integral part of the revitalization of Downtown Richmond." The City of Richmond is the owner/developer of the property. To read more more, please click here.

GRTC New Headquarters Honored with Industrial Project of the Year

The Greater Richmond Transit Co.'s new $37-milion Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility located in Richmond won Mid-Atlantic Construction's honor of Industrial Project of the Year. The GRTC system is the oldest mass transportation system in the United States. After over 100 years of operating out if its Cary Street facilities, GRTC needed a 21st century facility to support the company for the next 100+ years. The new maintenance building was completed on time, and the administration building was occupied two months early. The project was completed approximately $2 million under budget. It is the first public building in Richmond to achieve LEED Silver certification. For additional information, please click here.

Megabus.com Starts Service at Richmond's Main Street Station

Today's Richmond Times Dispatch features an article by Peter Bacqu about the new discount intercity busy service that has begun operations in downtown Richmond. The express bus company started its service yesterday and already more than doubled its operations. Megabus is running seven daily departures from Richmond's departure location opposite Main Street Station. The City of Richmond's transportation planner Viktoria Badger notes that this kind of acceptance has implications for the region's efforts to develop the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor through Richmond. To read the full article, please click here.

New Tourism Signage Coming to RVA

Richmond Biz Sense features an article today by Al Harris about the city's plan to update the outdated tourism signage around the city. The New York firm Two Twelve Associates in partnership with local firm BAM Architects have been hired by the city in response to requests from local cultural institutions, businesses and tourist attractions to update the signage, according to Rachel Flynn, director of the city planning and development review department. To read the full article in Richmond Biz Sense, please click here.

City Hosting Two Free Holiday Events Friday, December 3

The city of Richmond invites you to historic Shockoe Bottom on Friday, December 3, for a free Polar Express themed Holiday Open House at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street, and the free 12th Annual Holiday Market at the 17th Street Farmers' Market, 100 North 17th Street. For more details, please click here.

Richmond Places First in 2010 Digital Cities Survey

The city of Richmond placed first in its population range in the 2010 Digital Cities Survey which is conducted by the Center for Digital Government and Government Technology magazine. For additional information on this award, please click here.