Hello Thursday.
March 28 2024
The Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization and PlanRVA are seeking public comment on a draft plan called ConnectRVA 2045. It’s a long-range transportation plan for the Richmond region, including the city + several surrounding counties.
Background
The RRTPO is charged with developing plans for transportation infrastructure on a continuous basis. The organization creates a 25-year plan and updates it every 5 years. This way, it can account for the needs of the community and use public funds effectively — think of it as a framework for thinking about what our transportation needs may be. The current plan has been in development since 2019.
The ConnectRVA 2045 website features interactive maps to explore proposed improvements. | Screenshot from ConnectRVA 2045
What’s included
The plan encapsulates all kinds of transportation in the region, from biking and pedestrian travel to cars, buses, and trains. It is guided by 5 goals.
- Safety: This includes enhancing safety of bicycle + pedestrian facilities as well as limiting vehicular accidents.
- Environment/Land Use: There are measures recommended to reduce the negative environmental impacts transportation systems can have.
- Equity/Accessibility: The main focus here will be improving access through greater availability of affordable + efficient transportation choices.
- Economic Development: This concerns reducing peak travel times + other traffic issues, which promotes economic vitality.
- Mobility: The goal is to increase the amount of complete streets in good repair so the transportation system is reliable.
Standout projects
A big part of the plan deals with maintaining the highway and street systems in the region, but other ventures are also proposed. These include Park & Ride lots, which would expand the reach of public transit, and improving trails like the Virginia Capital Trail, the Fall Line, and the James River Park System.
Get involved
Richmonders can read + provide feedback on the plan online through Wed., Sept. 15. There’s also an in-person meeting tomorrow, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Fairfield Area Library on Laburnum Ave.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your pro-planning pals.
Which mode of transportation are you most excited about improving for the Richmond region?
Let’s talk infrastructure. 🚧
- Cars
- Bicycles + pedestrians
- Trains
- Buses/public transit
Today
- Meet VCU’s Authors: Ryan K. Smith, Ph.D. | Mon., Sept. 13 | Virtual, RSVP | Free | Learn about Richmond history from Professor Smith + his book, “Death and Rebirth in a Southern City.”
- Let’s Walk! RVAgreen2050 & RVAir | Mon., Sept. 13 | 7-8 p.m. | Grace Baptist Church of Richmond, 4200 Dover Rd. | Free | Learn about environmental justice while gathering air quality tests for the Science Museum of Virginia.
- National Pickle Day Happy Hour | Mon., Sept. 13 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | James River Cellars Winery | Free entry | Celebrate this sour holiday with wine + pickle-flavored snacks. 🥒
Tuesday
- Dawes | Tues., Sept. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | The National | $23+ | With Erin Rae + presented by WNRN. 🎶
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday
- Scott’s Addition Pride Crawl 2021 | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-5 p.m. | Scott’s Addition Historic District | Cost of purchase | Pick up a Pride Crawl Card at a participating location, collect stamps + get entered into a raffle. 🍺
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 94º | Sunny | 3% chance of rain
Coming Soon
- Bell Greek, a local chain of Mediterranean restaurants, will open a third location in the West End at the Village Shopping Center early next year. Owners Ibo + Ashley Pinar want to renovate the former Moe’s Southwest Grill space to include a patio for outdoor seating. (Richmond BizSense)
Community
- The city will host a Community Health Block Party on Sat., Sept. 18 at Brewer’s Café in Manchester. Attendees can learn about community resources, participate in a job fair + enjoy music from a live DJ. Those who receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the party will get a free beverage from Brewer’s. ☕️
State
- The Department of Motor Vehicles will offer walk-in service and scheduled appointments on specific days starting in October. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays will be appointment days + Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays will offer walk-in service. The DMV said to expect wait times for walk-in days. 🚗 (NBC12)
Network
- Virginia Community Capital + the city’s Office of Minority Business Development will host 2 virtual sessions for small business owners. Participants will learn about best practices for lending. The first session will begin at noon this Wed., Sept. 15, with a second planned for Thurs., Sept. 30. 💸
Development
- The Henrico County Planning Commission approved the planned $2.3 billion project known as GreenCity at a meeting last Thursday. The ecodistrict would be a sustainable mixed-use development off of E. Parham Rd. at I-95 and will feature a 17,000-seat arena. 🏟 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Biz
- The owners of Stony Point Fashion Park are attempting to sell the 687,000-square-foot mall. The mall is 67% occupied + is anchored by Dillard’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. Over 30 smaller storefronts are vacant. The listing price has not been publicized. (Richmond BizSense)
Theater
- Auditions are open for Virginia Repertory Theatre’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. 7 parts are available for the show, which will run Dec. 2-Jan. 2. The story follows the plot of the classic holiday film, but is staged as a live radio broadcast. 📻
Arts
- The VIsual Arts Center will open a new exhibit on Fri., Sept. 17 called “Blip of the Moment.” The joint show features the work of artists Matt Lively + Ed Trask as they reflect on the natural world. There will be an opening reception on Friday beginning at 5 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard.
- There’s still time for any and all creatives to submit their Richmond-focused works in our Rep Your City Design Contest. The first selected designs will be chosen on Oct. 7 — then featured on products sold in The RICtoday Shop, with the designers taking home up to $1,500. See details + submit your design. 🎨
Survey
- Hey, have you taken our demographics survey yet? We’d love to learn more about you (to better serve you in this newsletter) by having you complete this quick, 2-min. online survey. Thanks in advance.
You can’t beet a Richmond festival.
VegFest is scheduled for Oct. 2 at Byrd Park and the organizers leeked the artwork, designed by Ellie Gill. The free event features music, activities for kids, local vendors + plenty of veggie love.
If you want to make the festival totally rad-ish — we’ll see ourselves out — they’re still looking for volunteers.
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