> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Sept. 16 Newsletter: Connecting Manchester to the river - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/sept-16-newsletter-co/ - Published: 2026-09-16T10:00:09.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-16T10:00:08.000Z - Description: Plus, The Richmonder's ongoing quest for transparency in government, and what that has looked like recently. And a feature on longtime prep coach Stu Brown. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **Weather:** High of 85\. Warmth returns gradually as the week continues. **On this date** in 2017, a pro-Confederacy rally on Monument Avenue ends early when counterprotestors vastly outnumber the protestors. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/Copy-of-vcu-Richmonder-1113-1120-112724-900x150px--1--1.jpg)](https://www.vcu.edu/uncommon/?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) **Today's newsletter sponsored by** [**Virginia Commonwealth University**](https://www.vcu.edu/uncommon/?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting)**.** 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. --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/image-13.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/move-over-scotts-addition-manchester-could-be-getting-its-own-urban-trail-and-park/) ### Move over, Scott’s Addition. Manchester could be getting its own urban trail and park. Plans are moving forward to connect the neighborhood with the river by transforming a string of parcels into an urban trail for bikers and pedestrians, as well as a brand-new public park. 🚴‍♀️ The trail will eventually allow bikers and walkers to go from the Mayo Bridge to the planned Fall Line Trail across the Manchester Bridge. When complete, “it will create bike-walk access and the kind of livability you want to see” in Manchester, Mayor Danny Avula said. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/move-over-scotts-addition-manchester-could-be-getting-its-own-urban-trail-and-park/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/city-hall.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/as-richmonds-foia-foibles-persist-city-claims-it-has-no-flock-contract/) ### As Richmond’s FOIA foibles persist, city claims it has no ‘Flock’ contract Last month, The Richmonder asked for each locality's contract with Flock Safety. Henrico and Chesterfield sent theirs, but Richmond said they didn't have one. 💼 Technically, the contract is with Flock Group Inc., the company’s legal, corporate name. Our FOIA request referred to Flock Safety, the same company’s more public-facing brand name. It wasn’t the first time the city has sent a puzzling FOIA response that seemed to block or delay access to public records over minor wording issues. There have been similar brush-offs related to the Diamond District redevelopment project and efforts to revamp the city water system after 2025’s catastrophic failure. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/as-richmonds-foia-foibles-persist-city-claims-it-has-no-flock-contract/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/image-14.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/nextera-promises-new-richmond-office-tower-if-merger-with-dominion-goes-through/) ### NextEra promises new Richmond office tower if merger with Dominion goes through In a joint news release Monday, the two companies said the merger would come with a “Virginia-first” benefits package, including 1,000 new jobs. The proposed office tower would be built at shareholder expense beside the existing Dominion headquarters downtown, the release said. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/nextera-promises-new-richmond-office-tower-if-merger-with-dominion-goes-through/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/09/image-15.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/high-schools-browns-impact-has-been-felt-across-the-region/) ### He coached the area's biggest prep teams. Now he's giving back at a small Christian school Over the years, Stu Brown, with his congenial, down-home manner and fierce competitive spirit, became well known on the local high school sports scene as a successful coach who instilled in his athletes the values with which he was raised. In June, Brown retired from the Henrico County school system. Four days later, he accepted the job as athletic director at Grove Christian School. “I’ve worked so much, worked so hard, but I’ve never lost communication with my faith. Here, I’m giving back to the Christian community and getting to practice my faith every day,” he said. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/high-schools-browns-impact-has-been-felt-across-the-region/) --- ### Today's sponsor: [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/260204_1248_jm_MR900.jpg)](https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-offers-dozens-of-new-degrees-minors-and-more-this-fall?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) ### **VCU offers dozens of new degrees, minors and more** Virginia Commonwealth University students have dozens of new options to consider when pursuing degrees, certificates, concentrations, minors and more. The new programs come from across VCU’s colleges and schools and represent numerous academic disciplines. From robotics and AI to healthcare and business, the academic programs reflect the evolving workforce and promote experiential learning for students. Many of the new offerings are designed to help students keep up with fast-moving technologies or fill job market gaps, while others, such as accelerated programs, allow students to earn degrees in less time. [**Read more.**](https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-offers-dozens-of-new-degrees-minors-and-more-this-fall?utm%5Fsource=therichmonder&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=positivestories&utm%5Fid=valocal&utm%5Fterm=instate&utm%5Fcontent=prospecting) --- ### In other news - [**Meadowbrook High School student left with life-threatening injuries after in-school altercation**](https://www.richmonder.org/meadowbrook-high-school-student-left-with-life-threatening-injuries-after-in-school-altercation/) - A police spokesperson said a fellow student caused the assault and has since been taken into custody. The student remains hospitalized in critical condition. - [**Bottoms Up Pizza’s new owner plans improvements, aims to ‘maintain the legacy’**](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/09/15/bottoms-up-pizza-gets-new-owner-who-plans-improvements-aims-to-maintain-the-legacy/?utm%5Fcampaign=RBS%20Newsfeed&utm%5Fmedium=email&%5Fhsenc=p2ANqtz-8RyrzZ2j6Yg5PafXI13GG7ej1fq8XaGKpvzBmSvrQTBtp7fBp0pAwy1rRZhaRW7Zh%5FlOcJGWZXvIoAviWAAkwGpzY-xg&%5Fhsmi=439077721&utm%5Fcontent=439077721&utm%5Fsource=hs%5Femail#newsletter) (Richmond BizSense) - He purchased it earlier this year, and plans to add more specialty pizzas in homage to the restaurant’s past of more adventurous pies, such as one that featured alligator meat. - [**What was the first bike lane in Richmond?**](https://useful.bike/post/827499127890935808/what-was-the-first-bike-lane-in-richmond) (Useful.bike) - It was built in 1982, years before they became commonplace around town. --- ### The editor's desk We celebrated The Richmonder's second birthday as a staff last night. Amid the good times was also a desire to continue growing our work, tackling bigger issues and telling more positive stories from the community. Also, they met our two new hires – I can't wait to introduce you to them! *Michael Phillips, founder* *mphillips@richmonder.org* --- Sent this by a friend? [**Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/sign-up-for-the-richmonders-free-newsletter/) Do you enjoy The Richmonder? [**Join us as a donor**](https://www.richmonder.org/contribute-to-the-richmonder/) and we'll send you a hat or mug!