Jan. 21 Newsletter: Budget roleplay
Weather: Enjoy today's high of 45, because in three days the temperatures will plunge.
On this date in 1947, City Council considers forcing the Virginia Transit Company to build elevated guards to stop streetcars from colliding with pedestrians. The measure does not pass.
Today's newsletter sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University: As a top 20% global university, Virginia Commonwealth University is an unparalleled powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. VCU attacks challenges as opportunities. It's truly a university unlike any you’ve ever seen.
New city budget process gets underway with town halls and release of department requests
As Mayor Danny Avula’s administration heads into a budget-writing season with less new money to spend than City Hall usually has, it's trying out new ways to get the public more involved in the process.
CAO Odie Donald II acknowledged the city’s budget has grown substantially in recent years, but said that doesn’t mean the city has a whole lot of excess dollars to spare.
“Our expenses are actually growing much quicker than our revenues,” he said, adding that city employees are “the most expensive thing we pay for.” Read more here.
VMFA will add a new cafe facing Grove Ave. as part of upcoming expansion
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts unveiled renderings of its expansion project, the museum's largest ever, on Tuesday night.
Among the additions will be a new restaurant, the museum's fourth, with an entrance facing Grove Ave.
See more renderings of the five-story addition here.
Jury still out on near West End outdoor event space
Controversy continues to rage over whether a near West End event space that adjoins a residential area should be allowed to hold outdoor events.
Despite a request from the owner for resolution, City Council opted not to vote recently on a special use permit for Lavender Hill.
Besides the high level of public interest the case has drawn, it has also given rise to accusations of racism. Read more here.
A big snow is coming (probably). Here's what we know so far.
Early forecasts show Richmond right in the crosshairs of a major snow event this weekend, potentially the largest locally since 2018.
Thursday night, updated models showed Richmond moving closer to the line dividing snow from freezing rain. Snow is preferable because it carries less risk of downing power lines. Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
At VCU, impactful innovation follows multiple paths
VCU, a top 50 public research institution, leads all other Virginia public universities in licensing revenue generated from its inventions, according to AUTM, an association representing the academic research community.
Researchers across VCU’s campuses are increasingly building new business ventures, forming partnerships with companies, licensing technologies and collaborating with industry and government agencies in ways that directly shape patient care, public health, advanced manufacturing and even national security.
Read more about how VCU researchers are turning inventions into ventures and why industry and government are taking notice.
In other news
- Featuring designer Christian Siriano and artist Ashley Longshore, "Undeniable" at The Branch aims to elevate Richmond within the fashion world (Style Weekly)
- Highland Springs stays undefeated with boys basketball win over Douglas Freeman
- Dominion Energy gives reasoning for high electric bills in Virginia (CBS 6)
The editor's desk
For those who can't get enough local news talk, I joined podcaster Paul Gewuerz, who covers the media, to share about The Richmonder and our mission. Take a listen here.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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