March 16, 2011 Vol. 3 Issue 3
Welcome
Welcome to the March 2011 edition of the "Building a Better Richmond" newsletter.
Don't forget that the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k will be here
in a few short weeks. Participation is expected to eclipse 40,000 running or walking in this year's event.
This event has not only grown in numbers, but it has grown to showcase our city, attracting thousands of visitors and raising funds for the Massey
Cancer Center. I encourage you to join me in celebrating this community event by participating in this year's 10k.
Speaking further of tourism in the city of Richmond and its vital role in economic development, I would be remiss not to mention Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris
at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
(VMFA).The exhibit runs through May 15 and is a very big deal for the city of Richmond, as the VMFA is the only East Coast venue for the
exhibition's seven-city international tour.
I have had a chance to view the exhibit myself and I was in complete awe. This exhibit has pieces from every major artistic period of Pablo Picasso's life and includes 176 pieces
from his own personal collection. You can see how his work evolved and even how he was influenced by African art.
And, after you have enjoyed all the VMFA has to offer, hop on to the Museum and Back bus and visit
even more of Richmond's fine museums and historic districts. To the Museum and
Back is running two buses on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the VMFA to Shockoe Slip every 30 minutes. This bus is free to ride and offers
a relaxing way to experience Richmond.
I would like to thank all of those who helped bring the exhibit to Richmond and as many of you know, we are very lucky to have such a
world-class museum in our city and the curators and staff are doing a wonderful job!
I hope you enjoy reading the remainder of this newsletter and that you forward it to family and friends.
Community Conversations
As we all know, the past two years have been financially challenging for local, state and federal governments. My administration is working extremely hard to close the
current budget gap and prioritize city spending plans for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. In order to do this, we need the input and suggestions from
our city residents. Individuals and business owners who utilize city services are vital to helping us determine which resources and services are most critical to the city's operations and future development.
This is why I'm holding a series of public budget forums called, Community Conversations: Priorities for City Spending
These meetings are being called "Conversations" because that's what they are. We are utilizing two-way communications between City administration and residents
in order to develop a budget plan for future fiscal years. Residents are able to participate in an interactive voting activity that allows them to
personally weigh in on the critical budget decisions we're making during this budget cycle.
We've held three meetings so far and there are will be one more meeting tonight that I'm encouraging all residents to attend. Tonight, we'll meet at Southampton Elementary School, 3333
Cheverly Road. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and end no later than 8 p.m. Please take the time to attend this meeting and let your voice be heard.
an online survey has also been developed to allow you the opportunity to participate if you are unable to attend a meeting. Click here to take the Online Survey
or visit www.Richmond.com and click on the budget survey link.
Tourism Commission
Richmond was settled and founded in Shockoe Bottom almost 400 years ago and since that time our city has been home to some our nation's best moments as well as some of our most
challenging moments. Our city streets are where Patrick Henry strode on his way to declare "Give me liberty or give me death." These streets saw
the introduction and construction of the Greek Revival style for government buildings as well as the creation of the Statute for Religious Freedom.
George Washington surveyed the canals, and tobacco was exported to Europe from the docks.
The streets of our city also saw some of the most difficult parts of our history. Slaves were marched from ships on the river through the city and sold at auctions. The same
streets witnessed the arrival of Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by thousands of freed slaves as he walked to the White House of the Confederacy to
begin the national healing process.
In more modern times, these streets were home to the first electric streetcars and saw Jackson Ward and Two Street rise as the Harlem of the South and the home of Maggie Walker.
The city became a financial hub and home to the Federal Reserve.
History has always been important in Richmond but in recent years, we have also become an artistic and creative hub, home to the state's largest university with students and
parents from all over the world, home to world class museums, Nutzy the Flying Squirrel, and a mecca for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.
For all these reasons and more, I've announced the creation of a Tourism Commission. I am charging the Tourism Commission to
look at three major things; First, how to enhance the tourist experience in Richmond; Second, how to expand and enhance the assets that support our
attractions; and Third, how to better market Richmond as a destination. To help make this commission successful, I have asked Delegate Delores
McQuinn, Virginia House of Delegates, and Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Alex Nyerges to co-chair. Delegate McQuinn has supported
historical and cultural efforts in this city for years, and she is spearheading the efforts for the Slave Trail, as well. Nyerges reflects the
sophistication that our city has and potential that we hold as a cultural venue - especially with the incredible world-class facility that he
directs.
Our region as a whole attracts 5.75 million visitors a year, which is a multi-million dollar industry by any standard. Richmond is a sports center - with over 40,000 fans
gathering at the Coliseum to see the CAA basketball championships. The Ukrop's 10K is one of the biggest races in the country with more than 35,000
participants, not including the family and supporters who line the city streets. The SunTrust Marathon has thousands of participants from all over
the world who come to Richmond. Twice a year our hotels and restaurants fill to capacity as more than 100,000 race fans flock to Richmond
International Raceway. Richmond is an outdoor mecca for river lovers, cyclists, mountain bikers, kayakers, runners, hikers, and bird watchers.
We are the only capital city with bald eagles nesting within the city limits and the only capital city with Class IV whitewater rafting in an urban setting.
Richmond is the final resting place of two U.S. Presidents in Hollywood Cemetery (Monroe and Tyler), and home to tennis legend Arthur Ashe and civil rights pioneers like Oliver Hill.
Yet with all these assets, we still need to continue to capitalize on all of these attractions that WE know are all around us and make it our mission to let others know what
we offer every single day.
XTERRA Championships
This is a great time to be in the City of Richmond! I recently had the pleasure of announcing that thanks to the Luck Stone Corporation, the XTERRA East Championships will be
staying in the City of Richmond.
I cannot thank Luck Stone enough as they have truly stepped up as a corporate partner. In these hard economic times we look towards our corporate partners to help bridge the gap
and give back to their city, and Luck Stone has done that in a big way. Luck Stone's partnership is especially pleasing because they are a local
homegrown business that has not forgotten its roots and also has an environmental antenna that is interested in preserving open spaces and
environmental stewardship.
The XTERRA East Championship has called Richmond home for 12 years, and this year there was a possibility that the athletes would not run, bike, or swim here in Richmond, but
would instead move to Charlotte, North Carolina. The City has shown great support for the event with the maintenance of our trails and logistical
support, but this year XTERRA needed a sponsor to provide financial support, and with Luck Stone, we finally have all the elements in place to keep
this important event here.
Each year XTERRA lures athletes from more than 30 states and pros from around the world right here to the city of Richmond and the James River. This creates a huge economic
impact and helps showcase Richmond to the world. It provides Richmond residents with both entertainment and a chance to experience outdoor
adventure sports in a whole new way. We hope that everyone has a chance to come down to the James and experience the XTERRA East Championships on
June 11th and 12th.
I would also like to thank Richmond City Councilman Doug Conner and the Richmond area chapter of Mid-Atlantic Off-Road
Enthusiasts for helping to bring all of this together. As I have moved through this busy time, I have been amazed at the partnership and
collaboration within the Richmond community. With everybody pitching in, corporate partners and city residents, we can raise Richmond to
new heights.
Close
I would like to thank you for taking the time to view this newsletter. I hope you found it informative and insightful and that
you will share it with others in your family and community.
For more information on the city of Richmond, please visit www.RichmondGov.com.
Thank you
Dwight C. Jones
Mayor, City of Richmond
