Hello, RVA First District!

Grady Hart here, your new (permanent!) First District Council Liaison! I am stepping into the very big shoes left by Whitney, and I truly look forward to serving you alongside Councilman Breton.

By way of introduction, let me start by saying that I am an RVA native and have spent virtually my entire life in and around the Richmond region. I live in the city's northside, and have served as my neighborhood's Civic Association President for the past five years. During that time, I have had success in advocating for affordable housing, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and more inclusive and proactive collaboration between residents and City leaders.

I come into this role fresh off of completing my Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration at VCU, where my dissertation focused on how cities can enhance their Vision Zero efforts to reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Prior to pursuing my Ph.D., I served for five years as the Head of Community Partnerships for Richmond Public Schools, and before that I spent five years leading community engagement efforts in VCU's Division of Community Engagement.

I look forward to bringing my experience to this new role by building on the momentum that Councilman Breton and you, our first district residents, have already built towards shaping a better city. Please don't hesitate to reach out if and when I can be of support!

Be mindful of these other upcoming deadlines and important reminders:

• The City will be closed on Monday, March 9th, for International Women's Day, which means that trash pickup for this week may fall a day later for many residents.

• DPW has begun its Pothole Palooza following the severe winter weather! Please take this opportunity to report all potholes by calling 311 or using the RVA 311 app or website.

• Don't miss out on attending a special, additional, district meeting on March 26th, 2026, from 6-7:30 PM, when we will be joined by Andy Boenau, Director of Richmond's new Department of Transportation. The location will be confirmed and announced in our next District Newsletter.

• Apply to Join the Public Utilities and Services Commission: Are you passionate about clean water, stormwater management, sustainability, or solid waste services in Richmond? The Public Utilities and Services Commission is looking for new members! Established in 2023, this commission advises the City on everything from natural gas and drinking water to how Richmond can equitably transition away from fossil fuels in alignment with our climate goals. It's one of the City's most active and impactful commissions—and it's currently recruiting for four vacancies.

🗓️ Deadline to apply: March 15

📌 Requirements: You must live in the City of Richmond and be a current DPU customer.

🔗 Apply here: City Boards and Commissions Application

Even if this commission isn’t the right fit for you, more boards and commissions will have openings in the coming weeks—stay tuned to our newsletter for those opportunities!

• DPU Street Work is scheduled across the First District. As always, completion timelines are weather-dependent. Stay informed on these and other utility-related updates by signing up for CivicReady or following @DPUStreetNews. For a map of current street projects, click here.

• The Code Refresh Draft Two public comment period has closed. Draft Three is expected to be released sometime in the Spring. Until then, you can you can stay informed by reviewing the City's Code Refresh webpage, and see below for an update from Councilman Breton.

While our office values feedback and concerns regarding the Code Refresh, Council cannot act on them at this time. The most effective way to voice your opinion is to share it directly with Planning at  richmond300@rva.gov.

Thank you for being an engaged part of our district. We look forward to sharing more updates with you soon.