Richmond residents fill out cards to give their suggestions for capital improvement projects at the formal launch of the Richmond People’s Budget on Sep 10, 2024. (Charlotte Rene Woods\Virginia Mercury)
On Tuesday, the city of Richmond presented a $3 million check to its residents to spend how they want — both metaphorically and literally.
A crowd of about 50 gathered in Abner Clay Park in the afternoon for the formal kickoff of a public-input process on how to spend the earmarked amount on improvement projects in neighborhoods around the city.
“What it does is allow you to bring together your community, your neighbors, your friends, (and) your coworkers to identify things you want to see improved right here where you live, work and play,” 1st District councilor Andreas Addison said. “(City councilors) make decisions every year about how we spend the whole budget — let’s put some money in your hands.”