Donate
Newsletter

Feb. 28 Newsletter: Our world-class BMX bike museum

Weather: A mild spring day, high of 57.

On this date in 1967, Democrats endorse allowing restaurants in Virginia to sell liquor drinks, which is permitted in 80% of the nation. The next year, the law is changed to allow it.

Today's newsletter sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metro Area Inc., which thanks The Richmonder for assisting in the fall RPS School Board Candidate Forum. Our partnership helped provide voters with a valuable platform to hear directly from candidates and make informed decisions. We are proud to sponsor The Richmonder, a trusted source of local news.

One of the world's biggest collections of BMX bikes is in Richmond's East End

Richmond is known for its museums, but did you know about the Powers BMX shop and museum, which attracts visitors, and bicycles, from around the world?

🚲
"We have pieces off of famous ramps. We have famous people's bike parts,” said owner Chad Powers.

Read more about the store, and why some people never outgrow their BMX bikes, here.

CoStar lays off some local workers, announces a target of 1,000 new hires this year

Some Richmond-area employees of CoStar Group were informed Thursday they would be laid off, the same day the company announced plans to grow to 3,500 workers locally next year when a new 21-story office tower opens downtown.

  • If CoStar meets that hiring goal, it would become the area's 10th largest employer, not counting local or state governments.

In a press release, the company said of the layoffs that tasks previously handled by humans will be turned over to artificial intelligence. Read more here.

Expecting a ‘lean year’ ahead, School Board cuts new spending ask from $43M to $30M

A work session produced tough truths about the upcoming budget, with RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras telling board members he thinks virtually all new money the district receives will have to go to filling its $16.5 million in obligations as a result of collective bargaining agreements.

On Monday, Mayor Danny Avula told the City Council to brace for “real hard decisions” during budget season.

"We're in a really different place than we have been in recent years," the mayor said.

Read more on the discussion here.

Maymont's 'most famous resident' dies at 105

Ida L. Cheatham died this month at age 105. She was the first person to live on South Meadow Street in the Maymont neighborhood, where the street is now named in her honor.

She was the last surviving member of the Maymont Garden Club.

Read more about her life and upcoming services here.

Richmond officials announce interim DPU director is staying on full time

Graham Moomaw has the latest on the water investigation, including:

  • Scott Morris will stay on as the city's new DPU director after taking the job on an interim basis.
  • City Council members expressed unhappiness with the "heft" of the city's initial water report.
  • Documents from VDH were redacted as part of a FOIA inquiry, citing the Governor's "working papers" exemption. However, the Governor's office said it disagreed with the usage of the exemption and would reopen the file.

Last night, the city announced it will launch a grant fund to assist small businesses impacted by the water crisis. Applications will open on March 17.

Read more on the water crisis fallout here.

Today's sponsor:

The League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metro Area Inc. helps shape our community's future. We are a nonpartisan organization committed to empowering voters and defending democracy in the Richmond Metro Area, including Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Ashland, and beyond.

Why Join?

  • Voter Education: Ensure voters have the information they need.
  • Advocacy: Support policies that promote fairness and civic participation.
  • Community Engagement: Connect with others who share your commitment to a stronger democracy.

Visit lwv-rva.org to learn more and become a member.

In other news

The editor's desk

CoStar's announcement of layoffs, and new hirings, is a reminder that Richmond is no longer just a government-worker town. Private employment is significantly more lucrative, and volatile, which creates an economy unlike any this city has seen before.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

Sent this by a friend? Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.

Want to support The Richmonder? Become a donor for $9.99 a month and keep quality local journalism in the community.

What's Next