A Participatory Budget Delegate, More Christmas Lights, and the Shockoe Valley Streets Improvement Project
Cheers RVA!
Today will be cloudy with a small chance of rain, with a high of 52 and a low of 48. The next few days are expected to be warmer than usual, with temperatures dropping below freezing later in the week.
the juice:
A community meeting regarding the Shockoe Valley Streets Improvement Project will be held tonight at Main Street Station.
City councilmember Cynthia Newbille of the 7th district will be hosting the meeting, with attendees having the opportunity to “review designs for safety improvements, including traffic-calming measures and connectivity to multi-use trails.”
The streets improvement project is focused on the following:
Converting Oliver Hill Way from one-way to two-way.
Roundabouts at various intersections within the Shockoe Valley Area for safety, traffic calming, and place making.
Installation of a shared use path and 2-way cycle track for people of all ages and abilities that provides a connection to the Virginia Capital Trail and Cannon Creek trail
On street parking
Dedicated turn lanes
Sidewalks with streetscape including street lights and street trees
The expected cost of the project is roughly $52 million, with $33 million coming from federal Smart Scale funding and $18 million from the City of Richmond.
Here is an engineering drawing from 2022 as part of the 70% submission process:
The meeting takes place from 5:00 - 8:00 pm and free dinner will be provided.
Parking (for those will not be walking, biking or using public transportation) is available for free in the lot of Main Street Station after 4 pm.
Email sam.patterson@richmondgov.com to rsvp.
the pulp:
Two separate gun homicides occurred over the weekend in South Richmond via WTVR. There have been 51 homicides in the city so far this year, as compared to 60 during the same period in 2023.
The RTD has listed their official tacky light house tour list. To get on the list, a house must have at least 40k lights!
the dive:
Graham Moomaw from the Richmonder reports on a $300k pilot program to treat opioid addiction in the city jail, with the money coming from a national opioid settlement.
The city had 191 fatal opioid overdoes last year.
A city policy advisor, Michael Fatula, said:
For every dollar spent on treatment of opioid use disorder, based on research and evidence we’re likely to see a $4 savings in health care costs and a $7 savings in criminal justice costs
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Congrats to the CheersRVA reader who was selected to be a delegate for the Richmond People’s Budget!
Have a radiant day RVA!
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