For the Quest is not yet achieved 💸

VCU and VCU Health embark on Quest 2028

A VCU Health building and parking lot in Richmond, VA

VCU Health has clinics from the River City up to Stafford, VA. | Photo via @vcuhealth

VCU and VCU Health have announced a strategic plan called Quest 2028: One VCU Together We Transform. It’s a collaborative effort to address the “changing needs of students, patients, and the community.”

The university and the health system have four shared goals to focus on through 2028.

1. Increasing the number and diversity of students. There are now about 29,000 students enrolled, and 45.7% are white. 45% of students graduate in four years.

2. Enrolling and graduating students in a timely manner. Every undergraduate degree requires 120 class credits.

3. Increasing access to VCU hospitals and clinics. There are 71 clinics, hospitals + emergency care centers across VA under the VCU Health name.

4. Focusing on impactful research. VCU was ranked No. 58 of all public universities in terms of federally funded research.

The university and health system also shared their individual future goals and feedback at a forum Tuesday.

The Quest 2028 plan outlines several metrics involving the city’s economic benefit — which could be of interest to Richmonders who might not be Rams.

Increase vendor contracts with local minority and woman-owned businesses, as well as staff trained in DEI practices
Connect student and employee recruitment to local workforce opportunities
Hold a citywide dialogue and lecture series with partnered organizations
Develop a process to identify targeted partnership neighborhoods

Broad Street redevelopment VCU ONE plan — VCU ONE shows intersections like Broad + Belvidere Streets enhanced as part of the university’s “front door.”

The Quest 2028 Plan is in line with the university’s VCU ONE Master Plan, which seeks to unify its campus centers across the city. This includes the demolition and replacement of the Commons and Temple Building, the renovation of Cabell Library + the development of green spaces at Monroe Park and the MCV campus on Clay and 11th Streets.

This physical transformation surrounding downtown will alter Richmond’s streets for prospective students, patients, and residents daily.

Which part of this six year plan are you most interested in?

A. Future economic benefits
B. More student opportunities
C. Physical changes to Richmond’s streets
D. Citywide partnerships

TAKE THE POLL

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Friday, October 28

4th Friday Reception & Costume Party | Fri., Oct. 28 | 6-8 p.m. | ART WORKS, 320 Hull St., Richmond | Free | Grab your scariest Halloween getup and check out new exhibits by Chris Semtner, George Hughes, and Andrea Danner.
Monster Masquerade | Fri., Oct. 28 | 9 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond | $10.00 | Get ready for eerily good performances by Are Ya Madferit?, Geezer, and Cranberries.

Saturday, October 29

Halloween Candy & Beer Pairing | Sat., Oct. 29 | 3-7 p.m. | Intermission Beer Company, 10089 Brook Rd., Unit A, Glen Allen | $18.00 | Sample five 5 oz. beers perfectly paired with five Halloween candies.
Suggesting Rhythm | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | The Canal Club, 1545 E. Cary St., Richmond | $15.00 - $20.00 | The six-piece Grateful Dead tribute plays a haunted Halloween show.

Sunday, October 30

Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest | Sun., Oct. 30 | 11 a.m. | Brambly Park, 1708 Belleville St., Richmond | Free | Bring your costumed pup and help raise money for Richmond Animal League.
Sunday Scaries: Halloween Hangover Brunch | Sun., Oct. 30 | 11 a.m. | WOB Bar & Kitchen, 11600 W. Broad St. | Free entry | Show off your costume in the daytime at this post-Halloweekend party brunch.

Monday, October 31

Monsters Ball | Mon., Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | Fallout RVA, 117 N. 18th St., Richmond | $5.00 - $10.00 | Get gothic, ghoulish, and groovy at this annual Monster Mash.
Church Hill Chillers Tour | Mon., Oct. 31 | 9 p.m. | Inn at Patrick Henry’s, 2300 E. Broad St., Richmond | $15.00 - $20.00 | Haunts of Richmond will lead guests on a ghost tour through the city’s oldest district.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

59º | Partly cloudy | 2% chance of rain

Biz

Five Richmond restaurateurs now co-own FoodUp, a new takeout service app. ~20 local spots have signed up as members, and founder Phi Nguyen says restaurants keep all money made through the deliveries. Customers can expect a 50 cent flat fee for their orders. 🌮 (Richmond BizSense)

Civic

A judge ruled that the city can remove the General A.P. Hill statue at the intersection of Hermitage + Laburnum and give it to the Black History Museum with the other Confederate statues. Hill’s descendants argued that the statue is a grave marker, since his remains are underneath. There’s no word on when removal processes will begin. (CBS6 News)

Regional

Ashland partnered with Collected Solutions Group to launch free Wi-Fi for all residents, visitors, and businesses throughout the downtown area. The town launched the network to promote more tourism through the district, with hubs at city hall as well as the train station, movie theater, and police station. 💻 (NBC12)

Development

The Henrico Board of Supervisors has approved a $904,000 contract with Richmond-based Moseley Architects to build a new police precinct. Construction is expected to start at the 640 N. Airport Dr. property in late fall, and should be completed in 2025. This precinct will replace the current one in Sandston. 🧱 (Henrico Citizen)

Number

$100 million. That’s how much Richmond Gas Works expects to pay to replace gas mains and service lines over the next five years. The city-owned gas company serves about 120,000 people in Richmond + Henrico and Chesterfield counties. 💸 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Arts

Two new exhibits are opening at the Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen for Art Night on Thurs., Nov. 17. “Opening Minds Through Art,” a collection of works by those with Alzheimer’s disease + “Untethered,” a series of bird paintings by Amy Paquette, will be displayed along with live music from 6-8 p.m. 🎨 (ABC8 News)

Cause

Sign up to volunteer to build hygiene care bags for Feed the Streets RVA’s two pantries. It’s all happening at their Service Circle event at Mount Olivet Church (1223 N. 25th St.) on Sat., Nov. 5 from 12-2 p.m. Donation drop offs will be open starting at 10:30 a.m. 🧼

Outdoors

Real Local RVA will be holding a Soil Conservation Panel at its monthly meeting on Mon., Nov. 7. Participants will gather at The Beet Cafe at Ellwood Thompson’s at 10:30 a.m. to hear from leaders with Teens Acting for Carbon Capture, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation + 4 the Soil. 🪴

Watch

Be sure to record the History Channel on Sat., Nov. 3. The Chief Instruction Officer from Richmond’s own Shield N Sheath axe-throwing house, Dan Pegg, will be competing in the channel’s new show “Mountain Men: Ultimate Marksman.” The episode debuts at 9:30 p.m. 🪓

Ranked

The Jefferson Hotel and Main Street Station were both mentioned in the Forbes Travel Guide of “8 US Train Trips You Should Take.” The magazine made a full itinerary for how passengers can enjoy a day in the River City.

DYK

Did you know we want to share your Black Friday deals with our RICtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.

Stat

One-third of Chesapeake Banks’ 232 employees have remained with the local bank for 10+ years — pretty impressive, if you ask us. See nine more reasons to consider a career with the local community bank.*

Drink

Getting groceries delivered is great, but getting your favorite beer, wine, and liquor delivered is even better. With Drizly, you can order your go-to libations as well as mixers, party supplies, and snacks + they’ll be delivered to your door in under 60 minutes. Order now. 🥂*

The Buy

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A real teal treat 🍭

Absurd Snacks company highlights Teal Pumpkin Project

An inflatable pumpkin sits on the stoop of a townhome, surrounded by bags of trail mix.

Absurd Snacks doesn’t use nuts of any kind to make their bags of trail mix treats. | Photo provided by Absurd Snacks

Richmond-born company Absurd Snacks is reminding trick-or-treaters and their guardians to be mindful of food allergies this Halloween by participating in the nationwide program the Teal Pumpkin Project.

If you see a sea-colored pumpkin on the doorstep while you’re out nabbing candy, it means that household offers allergen-free treats and non-food goodies safe for all little ghouls. Absurd Snacks was born out of an idea to make a trail mix for those with peanut allergies.

Want a pre-Halloween adventure? Find this inflatable pumpkin between the Museum District and the Fan, then snap a picture to get a free bag of the bean-based sweet treat — which are also available at a over a dozen Richmond markets.

Pro tip: Teal pumpkins with can be found at several local CVS locations to add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project map.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie.

Editor’s pick: As RICtoday’s resident coffee hater, I’d like the record to show that for the pumpkin spice picks story, I enjoyed an Iced Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at Rostov’s. I guess fall is a season for new beginnings. ☕️

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? The Reconnect Jackson Ward project applied for a grant.

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Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Katie Potter, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Rachel Sklenar | Advertise with us.

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