Jan. 5 Newsletter: VCU's next five years
Weather: A cold week begins in the 40s but some warmth will arrive by midweek.
On this date in 2005, newly-inaugurated Mayor Doug Wilder objects to an estimated $300,000 in severance payments that were given to city employees in the final days before he took office.
Entering Year 17, VCU’s president wants to see the school gain in prestige while remaining broadly accessible
The seas are stormy in higher education at the moment, but while controversy has found other state schools, VCU has largely steered clear of major disruption.
Between Eugene Trani and Michael Rao, who is under contract through 2030, VCU will have a 40-year stretch with just two presidents.
We sat down with Rao for a conversation about what the future will bring at the school, and what VCU's growth means for the city as a whole. Read more here.
Catching up: Texas Beach bridge on pace for completion this year
A city spokesperson said the bridge, which was closed to the public in 2022, is on pace to be finished and reopened by the end of the year.
The foundations of the bridge’s north and south towers have been poured, with reinforcements and structural repairs in progress.
When completed, it should look very similar to the original structure built in 1978. Read more here.
Some Southsiders head to the polls Tuesday for a special election
The Senate seat in District 15 is being vacated by Ghazala Hashmi, who was elected Lieutenant Governor during November's elections.
The House seat in District 77 is being vacated by Mike Jones, who is running for Hashmi's former Senate seat. Read more, and see a map of the districts, here.
Richmond gets millions from state for affordable and workforce housing projects
Almost $21 million in state funds is headed to projects in the city of Richmond to help construct affordable and workforce housing. The bulk of that money comes from Virginia’s Affordable and Special Needs Housing program, which provides gap financing for affordable housing projects using a variety of state and federal funding sources. Read more, and see the project list, here.
In other news
- Craft ice company Lady Chiller promises perfect cubes for the city's best cocktails (Style Weekly)
- Girls high school basketball: Thomas Dale defeats Glen Allen, Collegiate wins with youth
- Richmond figure skater qualifies for national championship (8 News)
The editor's desk
Mama J's is getting into the market game. The legendary Jackson Ward restaurant is building out a new space at 1st and Clay downtown. The official grand opening will be in February, with a full kitchen that will prepare to-go foods and, of course, their famous desserts.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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