Richmond District 1 residents react to money received from People’s Budget

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Residents from Richmond’s District 1 recently spoke about what the money will be used for in their neighborhood from the People’s Budget.

The Richmond People’s Budget allowed Richmond residents to have a say in how part of the city’s budget is spent, with the results of what capitol improvement projects will receive funding announced on Monday, May 5.

According to officials, each of Richmond’s nine City Council districts were allocated a portion of the total funding based on factors such social vulnerability and community need, which is as follows:

• Districts 1, 2 and 4: $200,000 each
• Districts 3, 5 and 7: $300,000 each
• Districts 6, 8 and 9: $500,000 each

District 1’s projects are as follows:

• Expanding community garden at Humphrey Calder Community Center — $10,000
• Improve pedestrian safety at Humphrey Calder Community Center — $45,000
• Installing water fountains at Humphrey Calder Community Center — $25,000
• Improving pedestrian safety at Hamilton Street and Monument Avenue — $65,000
• Installing bus shelters near the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — $30,000
• Improving pedestrian safety at the Belmont Library — $20,000

Boz Boschen, who became a people's budget commissioner for his district in 2023, said he's glad $110,000 will improve pedestrian safety.

“Crossing Thompson [Street] is pretty dicey,” Boschen said. “You can hear cars accelerating as they're going to the 195 onramp. People are very focused on what they're doing and how they're driving down the one-way highway.”

Neighbor Leslie Stuckey and her husband Lee Williams have used the community garden for 12 years. They say more resources will increase interest in the garden and credit city leaders for working with residents to achieve goals.

“Whether they're using the facilities here at Humphrey Calder or walking by, they will stop me and say, ‘Hey, how do you get a garden plot here and who to call and what to do?’” Stuckey said.

“There seems to be more care, more communication, which I'm all about,” said Stuckey. “I want everybody to care as much as I do. It's not always possible, but I'm hopeful.”

Boschen echoed the same sentiments.

“I think it's built trust in areas that have been underprivileged and aren't starting on equal footing that they now see this actually can do more,” Boschen said. “Hopefully the way that we've handled this as commissioners and allocating more budget to those areas, will only increase that trust.”

All projects selected for funding will be completed within two years. Click here to see how money is being allocated where you live.