What was billed as the 2024 campaign's only mayoral "debate" brought little in the way of fireworks.

Tuesday night's event at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the only one on this year's circuit not advertised as a candidate "forum," instead saw the five mayoral contenders largely in agreement on the need to reform day-to-day operations at City Hall and produce a better functioning government.

Each cited their personal experience as best equipping them for the job to the television audience watching on CBS 6.

The candidates are Andreas Addison, Danny Avula, Michelle Mosby, Maurice Neblett and Harrison Roday. (See their bios here.)

Calls for a Department of Transportation

In response to a question about pedestrian safety from Richmond Times-Dispatch editor Chris Coates, some candidates used the opportunity to call for a Department of Transportation in Richmond, something that does not currently exist.

"We need a dedicated advocacy group in the form of a Department of Transportation to focus on these issues and ensure we're working across departments to get these things done," Roday said, adding that it shouldn't take pedestrian deaths to force action.

Mosby also called for a transportation director, as well as the addition of more sidewalks and the continuation of fare-free transit.

Avula called for narrowing roads, and adding protective infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, something Neblett agreed with.

Addison cited his work on City Council working to create a Department of Transportation position, a theme as he touted his experience in government throughout the night.

On taxes

Asked to commit to cutting the real estate tax, four of the five candidates declined to make that commitment, as they have at past debates.

Read: Candidates share views on property tax with The Richmonder

Only Neblett promised a tax reduction, sharing that he would go beyond City Council's proposed four-cent cut and offer a 12-cent cut by purchasing prefabricated homes for $100,000 and selling them for $175,000, creating a new revenue stream.

Monument Avenue

Candidates were asked about their plans for Monument Avenue, and broadly agreed that action is needed to develop the site into a world-class park and destination, but agreed they would want to bring citizens to the table for a public process before committing to a course of action.

Addison said he wants to bring public art to the site, making it a place that people want to stay and hang out.

Avula called for connecting the work on Monument Avenue with the Shockoe Project and National Slavery Museum, calling it a potentially transformational project.

No wins, but no losses

The candidates largely steered clear of criticizing each other during the 60-minute period, opting to play it safe in their final televised opportunity to make an impression before voters head to the polls in three weeks.

The consensus on most major topics has been something that has drawn a reproach from the current mayor.

At a news conference in August, Levar Stoney said no candidate is breaking through because no one is laying out a big-picture narrative that’s resonating.

“Part of this job is about vision-casting. Give me an idea of what type of city we are going to be in a decade,” Stoney said. “Because there’s a good chance that you may hold this office for eight years. And right now, residents are telling me: ‘Mayor, I don’t have a clue who should succeed you.’ And I join them. I don’t have a clue either.”

Stoney, who’s now running for lieutenant governor, has said he intends to endorse a mayoral candidate but hasn’t made up his mind. With his would-be successors emphasizing change as a dominant theme, it’s unclear who would welcome Stoney’s support.

On Tuesday, Mosby and Addison talked up their accomplishments on City Council, though they did not mention the mayor by name.

Mosby offered one of the night's few jabs, criticizing Roday, Avula and Neblett for not having served in local government.

"You need someone that can hit the ground running," she said.

Roday and Avula both cited experience as to why they were qualified for the job - Roday's in the business world, and Avula's during the COVID pandemic. Neblett described himself as "an example of the resiliency of Richmond," citing a hard upbringing.

The candidates will gather one more time next Wednesday at the Mayorathon, a forum devoted to local nonprofits and their civic concerns.