Meeting - May 18, 2026

3rd Police Precinct Brief Update:

• The neighborhood has not had any reported crime in the last 28 days.

The City of Richmond's Department of Public Works presented on the Maymont Sidewalks Phase III project:

• Ms. Olayinka Bruce (in attendance) is the project manager from the City of Richmond.
• Timmons is the design team. Two staff members from Timmons walked through the sidewalk design, which is considered to be at 30% completion.
• Project big picture: only City of Richmond right of way will be used, which keeps project costs lower. The City Arborist and neighborhood both want to preserve the tree canopy.
• New sidewalks are proposed on Dakota Avenue and Nevada Avenue between Hampton Street and Southampton Avenue.
• Dakota Avenue: most sidewalk will be in existing grassy areas, no or very limited changes to parking.
• Nevada Avenue: sidewalk to be constructed in the street, removing parking. The sidewalk is proposed in the street to preserve trees and accommodate adjacent slopes.
• A road diet and new sidewalks are proposed on New York Avenue.
• The goal is to save the trees and avoid property impacts, and to do so, sidewalks would be constructed in the street. The road is proposed to become one-way with parking allowed on one side.

Comments from neighbors:

• A neighbor is confused about the desire for a one-way street and the need for the project in general. Timmons said that the City identified a need to improve pedestrian safety in the neighborhood.
• Stephanie Lynch (5th District Councilmember) asked for the top neighborhood concerns for the New York Avenue portion of the project. The consensus concerns are losing parking, a one-way street causing speeding, slower emergency response due to a one-way street, and not enough outreach from the City.
• A neighbor reiterated their previous request for one-way traffic in the 1700 block of Hampton Street.
• A neighbor requested speed tables in lieu of sidewalks on New York Avenue.
• A neighbor asked how fire trucks will access existing fire hydrants. Timmons said that the fire marshall reviews plans to ensure access to fire hydrants is maintained.
• A neighbor asked how many people in attendance are in favor of sidewalks on New York Avenue. Amy Robins (Liaison for Councilmember Lynch) pointed out that roughly ⅓ of the audience was in favor, ⅓ was not in favor, and ⅓ did not raise their hand.
• A neighbor voiced concern that the City is installing new sidewalks while not maintaining existing sidewalks. Amy mentioned that constructing sidewalks comes from different funding than maintaining sidewalks, and the City has fixed 50 miles of sidewalks in the 5th District.
• A neighbor asked about the project funding. Ms. Bruce said that it is 80% federal funding and 20% City funding, and there is a need to reach advertisement by June 30, 2027. Ms. Bruce said plan development will go from 30% to 90% to final plans.
• A neighbor said that the reality is our streets are dangerous and the streets need a re-design to improve the safety for the neighborhood as a whole. They requested that the neighbors be partners in discussing the project.
• Joe Dilliard, with GRTC, said that GRTC has not been consulted on the project yet, but the proposed project will not impact the GRTC route through the neighborhood.
• A neighbor requested stop signs at every intersection in the neighborhood. Timmons said signage could be added to the project. Another neighbor said they would like crosswalks in addition to stop signs at every intersection.
• A neighbor asked if the proposed sidewalks on Nevada and Dakota Avenues could move forward without the proposed changes to New York Avenue. Ms. Bruce said that VDOT would have to approve a scope change for that to happen.
• Amy mentioned that narrowing the roads on New York Avenue would slow traffic, which is a tool to improve safety.
• A neighbor said that the air quality is bad on Hampton Street, and the goal should be to reduce cars in our neighborhood.
• Stephanie asked meeting attendees to write on sticky notes and post on the plan sheets with specific comments and concerns. This was completed at the end of the meeting.

Maymont Update from Parke Richeson, CEO of Maymont:

• The mansion and Virginia Wildlife Trail have reopened.
• The new coyote puppy is now named Punky, and the new male coyote is named Bernie.
• On June 6th Maymont will be hosting a big celebration for 100 years, and there will be a summer kickoff concert on Friday June 5th.
• Music at Maymont is scheduled for May 20th, 21st, and 29th and June 6th.
• The Richmond Jazz and Music Festival will be returning to Maymont August 8th-9th, and the lineup was recently announced.
• Maymont has surpassed 500,000 visitors in 2026 including 5,000 tours of the mansion and 52,000 visitors to the Nature Center.

GRTC Update from Joe Dilliard, GRTC Director of External Affairs:

• Mr. Dilliard recommended that any issues with GRTC be sent to Amy Robins (5th District Liaison), and she can forward those to Mr. Dilliard.
• On-time performance was 68% recently for the neighborhood's Route 78 due to fewer bus operators than what is needed. More operators have been hired to meet the current system-wide needs.
• On-time performance has improved 4-5% system-wide recently.
• Only 5% of the GRTC system has a landing pad or bus shelter. Any new landing pads in the neighborhood from the Phase III sidewalk project would be beneficial.
• Stephanie mentioned the GRTC CARE Van is available for seniors to provide door to door service.

5th District Update from Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilmember:

• In the City's budget, money is carved out for paving alleys, and money is available for more speed tables in the 5th District.
• Energy efficiency legislation was recently passed.
• An ice cream social is scheduled for June 13th at Fonticello Park with free Ruby Scoops ice cream.
• Stephanie would like feedback on the Code Refresh, affordable housing, and any good locations for playgrounds in the 5th District.
• The Riverview Park Nature Exploratory Area will likely be installed in late summer 2026. It will be a smaller version of the new Belle Isle Nature Exploratory Area.
• The Texas Beach bridge replacement is expected to be completed and the bridge reopened in September 2026.