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Ask the Mayor

I realized during Tropical Storm Hanna that my family may not be as prepared as we thought in the event of storm. What advice can you give?

Alice Spoon

Church Hill

The City has recently updated its Citizens' Emergency Preparedness Guide, which you can download . It is important for you and your family to establish a plan of action for emergency situations like a Tropical Storm or tornado.

Also, The City's Department of Emergency Management is holding Survivor Day on Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Landmark Theatre.

Topics of this training session include fire safety, first aid, terrorism and weather safety tips.   This event is open to all City of Richmond residents. In the event you miss this session, call Office of Emergency Management at (804) 646-2504 to register for Sept. 13, or to inquire about future sessions.

Am I correct that the City's Parks and recreation department is developing a Master Plan? Is citizen input included in this plan?

Courtney Bruner

Oregon Hill

Citizens are encouraged to participate in upcoming meetings about the City of Richmond's Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which is intended as a tool to guide future spending and development for the next 10 years.

The City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has already completed a detailed assessment of the City's park system, programs, facilities, internal operations, and financial systems. The findings have been compiled and to review the draft plan, click here .

Mark your calendar if you would like to attend and make your voice heard:   

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Noon               Hickory Hill Conference Room            3000 East Belt Blvd.

6 p.m.             Hickory Hill Conference Room            3000 East Belt Blvd.   

Wednesday, October 1

Noon               Forest Hill Park Stone House              4100 Forest Hill Ave.

Noon               Byrd Park Roundhouse                       800 S. Davis Ave.

6 p.m.             Powhatan Community Center              5051 Northampton St.

6 p.m.             Randolph Community Center              1415 Grayland Ave.  

Thursday, October 2

Noon               Humphrey Calder Community Center     414 N. Thompson St.

6 p.m.             Bellemeade Community Center              1800 Lynhaven Ave. 

To download the current master plan for the Department of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities, click here .

What is the City doing to the lake in Forest Hill Park? When will this work take place? My family enjoys spending time in the park and we look forward to the lake being restored.

Forest Hill Park is an important landmark in South Richmond and fundamental neighborhood asset, and the lake's restoration will restore even more vitality to the park and the surrounding area for all to enjoy.

The City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has plans to   restore the pond area by removing approximately 40,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment, creating wetlands on the east side of the lake and relocating Reedy Creek to its historic channel. Work is slated to begin in mid-to-late November.

One of the worst areas for flooding in Richmond for years has been the German School Road area. It floods even in heavy thunderstorms. When will the work there be finished and will the problem finally be solved!

Sharon Park

Richmond

The German School Road Project is a major infrastructure project that will bring a permanent solution to the flooding of the low lying area. Residents of that area have long suffered through the flooding and as of late, construction detours.

Improvements in the $17 million project include replacing the culvert under German School Road that can handle up to 1,015 cubic feet of water per second from Reedy Creek, reconstruction and widening of an existing water channel for the creek, and the creation of an overflow channel to assist in extreme water flow conditions. This should greatly increase the safety of motorists in the area.

The road is expected to be re-opened Sept. 19.