RICHMOND — With more than $428 million in required capital improvements ahead, Richmond city officials are implementing a new system to determine project priority. The City Council approved a 100-point scoring system to bring structure and equity to decision-making, covering projects like road repairs, sewer maintenance, and building upgrades.
Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria emphasized the push for fairness and transparency. “We want clarity and order to the many directions we’ve received,” he told the council. “A system we can all agree on allows us to move forward and get the work done.”
Strategic Grouping and Programmatic Approach
Instead of evaluating projects in isolation, Richmond is shifting to a programmatic strategy—grouping similar projects to boost efficiency and save costs. The new rubric scores projects by:
- Legal mandates
- Benefits to historically disadvantaged communities
- Alignment with city plans and council goals
- Funding readiness
- Community engagement
- Project timeline and delay history
Equity and Underserved Neighborhoods
Councilwoman Doria Robinson and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda stressed prioritizing areas long overlooked. “Some neighborhoods haven’t seen investment for many years,” said Zepeda. “We must recognize that not all parts of the city are on equal footing.”
The equity assessment will use resources like Senate Bill 535, the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, and Richmond’s Environmental Justice Element.
Implementation and Council Authority
While city staff will score and recommend projects, City Council will retain final decision-making power. Deputy Public Works Director Robert Armijo noted the system will inform—not dictate—choices.
City Manager Shasa Curl confirmed that councilmembers can propose new projects during the June budget cycle. The scoring system will help rank and prioritize them for final review.
In the coming months, Richmond begins its journey toward a more equitable, efficient infrastructure future—one that values all citizens, especially those previously left behind.
