Plus, vegan taco spot coming in 2024
 
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VCU suggests pedestrian safety improvements

Here’s how VCU’s suggested pedestrian safety improvements would work
VCU campus
The study makes recommendations for the Monroe Park and Academic Medical Center campuses. | Photo by RICtoday
VCU is looking to increase pedestrian safety on its two main campuses and a new study makes several suggestions. The improvements can only be carried out by the city, which owns the roads, sidewalks, and traffic lights on VCU’s campuses.

VCU hired engineering consultants at Kimley-Horn to produce the study after the death of a student who was struck by a vehicle near Monroe Park. Another student was killed by a car in May while the study was ongoing.

The study team conducted field observations on VCU’s Monroe Park and Academic Medical Center campuses and divided findings into five sections.

Visibility and Sight Distance

According to the study, there are at least 24 locations on VCU campuses where visibility is impaired by vegetation, parked vehicles, or traffic signal infrastructure. The majority of those impairments were caused by parked vehicles, which could be solved by removing or relocating on-street parking, loading areas, or bus stops.

RICtoday_BelvidereFranklin_VCUPedestrianStudy

The brick crossings on Belvidere could be replaced with white markings for improved visibility.

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Photo by RICtoday

Pedestrian Crossings and Behavior

The study points out that crossings should be designed with pedestrians in mind — meaning they exist, are marked clearly, and have signal timings favoring pedestrians. The Dept. of Public Works is in the process of retiming traffic signals citywide now.

Signage and Road Markings

Changes in this section would include enhancing existing signs and markings that are currently difficult to see or have been deemed inadequate. The study identified 20 opportunities in this area.

Motorist Behavior

The study points out infrastructure improvements that could be made to reduce speeding and failures to yield. VCU recently installed 10 speed tables on the Monroe Park campus to slow down motorists on Main, Cary, Grace, and Franklin.

Additional Infrastructure Concerns

The review produced 31 other locations that require accessibility improvements, including places needing better curb ramp and sidewalk infrastructure.

In its conclusion and appendix sections, the study team names several possible countermeasures and gives examples of improvements made at other universities. Let us know your thoughts on making Richmond safer for pedestrians.
Virginia Physician for Women
 
Events
Monday, Oct. 9
Tuesday, Oct. 10
  • “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | See the cult classic slasher that set off a parade of sequels on the big screen.
  • VCU Men’s Soccer vs. Campbell | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Sports Backers Stadium, 100 Avenue of Champions, Richmond | $5-$10 | Watch the Rams battle Campbell at home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11
  • Literary Virginia Book Group | Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Register in advance to discuss “Trailed” by Kathryn Miles.
  • Disney’s “Frozen” | Wednesday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond | $29-$159 | The production that’s thawing hearts from coast to coast comes to the River City via Broadway in Richmond.
Thursday, Oct. 12
  • Branch Haunted House | Thursday, Oct. 12 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Ave., Richmond | Free entry | Register to join this haunted event featuring a performance by Caroline Scruggs, tarot reading, curios from Rest in Pieces, and a costume contest.
Friday, Oct. 13
  • Dogs in a Pile | Friday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry, 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond | $15 | The psychedelic jazz-funk fusion band will play with Threesound.
See the full calendar
Click here to have your event featured.
Tech

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Plus, our readers can now snag an Incogni annual plan for 55% off with the exclusive discount code 6AMCITY.
Less spam, more life
News Notes
Civic
  • City of Richmond offices, libraries, and community centers are closed today in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The mayor and City Council formally recognized the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in a joint proclamation last year.
Edu
  • VCU announced a new admissions policy last week which will be the first of its kind among research universities in Virginia. The new guaranteed university admission program will automatically accept all first-year freshman applicants who are in the top 10% of their graduating class or have a GPA above 3.5. (VCU News)
Eat
  • An all-vegan taco spot is coming to the River City in May 2024. There’s no word yet on where Taco Vegana will be located, but the plant-based eatery has been highlighting future menu items on social media.
Biz
  • Tiara Black, the owner of the Stratford Hills diner Eat 66, has bought the Lakeside location of Carytown Burgers & Fries. Previous owner Mike Barber put the business up for sale over the summer. Black wants to rename the spot Lakeside Burgers & Fries, but keep everything else mostly the same. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Sports
  • Chesterfield has approved a $4.1 million project to build a six-field destination softball complex at Daniel Park. The fields at the park are currently under renovation and should reopen this June. Future improvements will include replacing the bathrooms and fencing, installing spectator seating, and creating a championship-caliber field.
Arts
  • Enjoy live music, a burlesque performance, auctions, and a raffle — and support local arts organization Gallery5 — at Signal Boost: An Intergalactic Fundraiser. The space-themed gala will take place Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20.
Outdoors
  • Join a hike and support Blue Sky Fund’s work to provide outdoor education programs to local youth. Registration is open for the Airington Law Hike for Kids on Saturday, Oct. 21. Stick around after for live music, games, food, and drinks at Virginia War Memorial.
Health
  • Appointments are available to receive the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Richmonders can get the shot through their health care provider, a local pharmacy, or at a Richmond and Henrico Health District event or clinic. Find an appointment near you.
Holiday
  • Richmond Symphony is gearing up for the winter holiday season by releasing dates for “Let It Snow!” The show will return to Dominion Energy Center Thanksgiving weekend and feature special guest artist Desirée Roots as well as a visit from Soul Santa. Tickets start at $15.
Wellness
  • RVA Counseling will be hosting two groups each Saturday led by Hailey Wilson, Supervisee in Social Work: Somatic Stretching from 10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. and Emotionally Focused Parenting from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Drop-in sessions (read: no commitment required) are $20, with the option to pay $150 for all 10 sessions up front.*
Arts
  • Want to help support Richmond’s vibrant performing arts community? RPAA’s Party for the Arts is happening Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at Dominion Energy Center. Enjoy a fully curated entertainment experience with performances by local artists, a cabaret starring Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway, and an arts education awards presentation. Learn more and snag tickets.*
Outdoors
  • Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a city dweller looking to recharge in nature, Johnston County, NC (just two hours south off I-95) has hiking and biking on the Mountains to Sea Trail, plus kayaking, canoeing, birding + more. Explore JoCo’s trails + recreational activities.*
Wellness
 
Try This

🥚 Maybe its condi-meant to be

Free tattoos for mayo lovers
RICtoday_DukesMayoTattoos
Last year’s contest had over 1,000 entries. | Photos via Duke’s Mayo
Do you love Duke’s Mayo? Do you love it enough to put a permanent homage on your body? If you answered yes, you’re in luck — the company is bringing back its free tattoo event in Richmond.

This year, the Gen-Mayo contest has a family-forward flavor. Share your multi-generational mayo story for a chance to win a custom Duke’s tattoo for you and your loved one. Any pairs of friends or family members are welcome to enter.

The deadline to submit your story is this Thursday, Oct. 12. The pop-up will take place at Yellow Bird Tattoo in the Fan on Nov. 17.

Last year’s pop-up was popular — Duke’s says 1,000 fans were left on the waitlist for the 70 free tattoos.
Poll

Would you get a free Duke’s tattoo?
A. Absolutely yes
B. Absolutely no
C. I’d consider it
Duke it out
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The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
I’m interested to see where Taco Vegana will set up shop. Once it opens, you can be sure we’ll add it to our vegan and vegetarian restaurants guide.
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