Making Richmond Better with RVAPB
All the great things happening with the Richmond People's Budget this fall from idea collection to a story about sidewalks. Be a part of centering the voices of residents in making Richmond a great place for everyone that lives here.
Welcome to November and another Richmond People’s Budget Newsletter. So much is happening.
Fall has finally arrived. Sweater and coat weather is kinda here. Halloween was a blast. Tomorrow there are very important elections for both Richmond and the nation.
In the midst of all of this, The Richmond People’s Budget is here, spending time with residents, laughing together, thinking together, and dreaming together. Most importantly, we are deeply listening to the ideas that residents of this great city have for making it even better.
In this month’s newsletter we’ve got some great stuff to share.
Get your ideas in before November 24th!
Updates on all the things we’ve been doing.
Become a budget delegate
Everyone wants sidewalks
Things that are inspiring us
Get your ideas in before November 24th!
We are officially at:
644 idea submissions
If you have an idea for how Richmond can be better for you, share it with us. Do it soon! We are in our final push until the Thanksgiving holiday.
Click this link to submit your idea online - https://linktr.ee/rvapb
You can also pop by your local library or find us at a weekend market.
Check out these videos that walk through how to share an idea.
Updates on all the things we’ve been doing
The Richmond People’s Budget has been busy!!! Here are few highlights:
Gilpin Court Movie Night: We partnered with RTAP to connect with residents at Gilpin and show the Public Money film.
Markets: Most weekends we are at the Big RVA Market on Saturday and the South of the James on Sunday.
Coalition Theatre: In October we mixed Improv and Budgeting with our friends at Coalition Theatre.
Canvassing: RVAPB has stopped by Southwood, Mosby Court, and Creighton Court to talk with public housing residents.
Reddit Ask Me Anything: Two weeks ago we did an AMA with Commissioners Aaron and Abby - https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/1gb4jdb/richmond_peoples_budget_ask_me_anything/
High Schools: Last but not least, we’ve been listening to the vision of our youth as we partner with RPS, principals, teachers, and students.
Become a Budget Delegate
Do you have the skills to help make community ideas real? Sign up to be a budget delegate and help the Richmond People’s Budget prepare for voting next Spring.
More information and to sign up go here . . . https://www.cfengage.org/opportunity/a0CNw00007k9QyGMAU/delegate-volunteer
RVAPB Story: Everyone wants sidewalks
If there is one thing that the Richmond People’s Budget has been hearing again and again from the community it is that the City of Richmond needs to get the basics right. Until that happens it is hard to do bigger, more exciting things. When residents say this, it is usually followed by a request to fix the roads and sidewalks.
Last week we sat down with our friends at the Department of Public Works to talk about this. They are involved with everything from sidewalks to roads, mowing to trash pick up. There isn’t much Public Works does not touch when it comes to the built environment of Richmond.
When we shared that sidewalks keep upcoming up in our conversations with the community, they asked us to go a little deeper. Why? Because there is more to the story.
They shared that much of Richmond’s aging water lines are directly under our sidewalks. When we think about replacing a sidewalk, we also have to think about the water lines (Don’t forget the trees too!). With renewed efforts to replace these old water lines, some of which are made of lead, it requires a more nuanced and planned response. It wouldn’t make sense to put in a new sidewalk, without first addressing what is underneath them.
Then there are a few other things we have to think about. One is cost. To install one block of sidewalk it can cost up to $200,000. Secondly we need to consider the City of Richmond’s commitment to both walkability and safe streets. Especially on the south side of Richmond, there are neighborhoods that have never even had sidewalks. Maybe it is time that those were installed so people can easily walk through their neighborhood. With programs like Vision Zero, we need to think more about the many ways streets are made safe for a variety of uses and lower the amount of fatalities that occur.
All of this needs to be considered when we move community ideas to reality. This is one important role for the Richmond People’s Budget.
Things that are inspiring us
Richmond Tree Week - With over 40 events, Richmond Tree Week wrapped up last week. There were so many great workshops and talks. Check out the website if you missed it.
Roller Derby Mania - On October 25-27, River City Roller Derby hosted the People’s Battle of Richmond. So fun. Plus, they are working to support more skating in our local parks.
Rider’s Voice - RVA Rapid Transit is Richmond’s go to advocate for public transit. We are continuously inspired by the stories they collect from the community.
Early Voting - Well last week Virginia hit is highest early voting numbers EVER - 2,293,043 votes. Now we need everyone to take democracy another step further by sharing an idea with RVAPB.
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