March 19 Newsletter: Inspecting rental homes
Weather: A gorgeous day, with a high of 73.
On this date in 1961, Virginia Tech requires agriculture students to begin taking liberal arts classes, noting that only 12% of graduates end up in farm work.
Today's newsletter sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University is a powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. We attack challenges as opportunities. VCU is truly unlike any university you’ve ever seen.
Officials say rental inspection program plans could come before Council later this spring
Richmond has discussed letting inspectors examine rental units for decades, but a proposal could finally be considered later this spring.
State law restricts inspections to one per year, in blighted areas only, and rentals with no violations are exempt for the next four years.
But enforcement could be tricky, and out-of-state landlords can be nonresponsive. Read more about the proposed program here.
Health Equity Fund announces 9 new funding projects, celebrates success stories
A program started during the pandemic continues to fund groups working to address health disparities, awarding more than half a million dollars in this cycle.
- Anthony Clary (above) shared that after losing 100 pounds by taking up running, he started a group, We Off the Couch, that now has more than 1,500 members.
Mayor Danny Avula told a personal story about his experience with one of the groups, ChildSavers, which assists children going through trauma. Read more about the initiatives here.
Dutch Cycling Embassy members share their wisdom at open house event
The Dutch Cycling Embassy helps to bring the nation's knowledge and experience to other cities and regions. Two representatives recently put on a workshop for city officials about improving bicycle infrastructure.
- “Who's top of the food chain right now? That's the Dutch,” said Richmond Transportation Engineering Program Manager Andy Boenau
Dutch officials said the city is loaded with potential, but, at the moment, isn't reaching its full potential. Read more here.
Also today in The Richmonder
Sean Sublette
Graham Moomaw
Sarah Vogelsong
Today's sponsor:
Answering the call: How VCU’s health sciences campus is unlike any other
Leaders from Virginia Commonwealth University Health and VCU’s health sciences schools share their perspectives on how a dedication to academic excellence, collaborative innovation and compassionate care impact students, patients and the greater community. VCU’s premier health sciences campus is at the forefront of training the nation’s next generation of caregivers, researchers and health leaders.
With 75 degree and certificate programs across six schools and colleges, learners at any stage can find the right path to fulfill their academic aspirations. The academic experiences are rich in opportunities for engagement, research and interprofessional collaboration.
In other news
- Applications Open for Small Business Recovery Grant Fund from water crisis (City of Richmond)
- City releases 8 years of severance records, but omits critical information (Times-Dispatch)
- Downtown Richmond is struggling. Businesses are uniting to fix that (Axios)
The editor's desk
It's time to fill out a bracket for the basketball tournaments. Take it from me, the sports guy: You do not want my advice. Knowledge never wins the bracket — the person who has watched the least hoops always walks away with the prize.
But if you insist: Duke is the real deal, but so is Alabama, and they're on a collision course. The winner of that game takes it all. (Two underdogs to watch: McNeese State and Yale.)
On the women's side, don't miss USC's JuJu Watkins, who is the next big thing and has a thrilling style. She'll have to get through UConn to make the Final Four. Alas, this is the Huskies' year.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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