Demographic Shifts, ArtoberVA, and Fall Colors
Cheers RVA!
Today will be overcast with scattered showers and a high of 73. More steady rain is expected to develop in the evening, with a low of 66.
the pulp:
A man was killed and another injured in a shooting Saturday evening at the Lafayette Garden apartments on Ruffin Road off Richmond Highway in South Richmond. The incident occurred during a party, via channel 6.
South Richmond News has a recent article on how Richmond is moving away from historical racial voting habits. The author John M. writes:
Changes in the city’s population, housing patterns, and voting attitudes over especially the past 15 years have since gotten us to a moment that seems worth recognizing. Not to say that the city has entirely moved past its legacy of racism, but it does look like we have moved some good distance on using race as a marker of who we choose to represent our different communities.
Read the article here.
The Richmonder created a map visualizing the changing demographics of the city and writes on how it may affect the mayoral race.
RVA Mag is ramping up excitement for artoberVA, “a showcase of Richmond’s eclectic creative community, proving that art is not some exclusive club for the elite but for everyone.” The month-long celebration is presented by Cultureworks and includes ‘pay-what-you-will’ events. The festivities kickoff with a block party Tuesday from 4-7 pm on N. Hamilton.
the dive:
The Times-Dispatch Editorial Board offers an opinion on the recent proposals to change the property tax rate, suggesting to cut the rate now would be a mistake.
In a city purposefully hamstrung with so many economic challenges — concentrated poverty, ancient infrastructure, a landlocked tax base — a 20-year surge in new residents and development has left the general fund coffers flush with new revenue. It’s just that City Hall has long been managing from a position of decline, both externally and internally. When you teeter on the verge of financial collapse for half a century, an unexpected windfall can have a corrupting influence.
One main issue is the city’s budget is “out of whack” with the assessment process, meaning budgets are based on projected changes. This year the city budgeted for a 4% increase in property tax revenue.
Why? Richmond has a built-in cashflow problem. It’s largest source of revenue — real estate taxes — is dependent on a reassessment process that’s out of whack with the budget. Unlike the surrounding counties (both Chesterfield and Henrico base their budgets on the previous year’s assessments) Richmond does both concurrently. This leads to a budget based on “projected” property values.
The budget and assessment process will be realigned in 2026, based on a plan passed by city council earlier in the year.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
This depiction of Fall Colors in James River Park from fanofgranite on reddit.
Have a tranquil day RVA!
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