By nature, humans are curious creatures. We love to poke, prod, examine and question the world around us.
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it put humans at the top of the food chain and sealed our status as the smartest species on earth … ever. At least that we know of.
And it's in the spirit of our ever-curious nature that Richmond.com launches its newest column, "Why Richmond, Why?!?"
We at Richmond.com have dedicated our careers to trying to answer Richmonders' questions before they're even asked: What to do, where to eat, what to see, where to go. But now we're turning to you for the questions.
So what do you want to know, Richmond?
Do you want to know what's happening in your neighborhood? Then just ask. Want to know which stores will be opening in the new shopping center down the street? Ask. What about why you can't take your dog to certain parks in the city, or why parking and traffic are a mess by you or how is it that workers can dig a human-size hole in a street in the morning that's then safe enough to drive over at night? Ask, ask and ask.
We'll do the research and answer, answer, answer. If you live in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover or any area in-between and you have a question pertaining to … anything, then just ask. Construction, traffic, roads, city planning, transportation, new shops or restaurants, local government, events or local life … we accept any and all questions then we make a few phone calls and get them answered.
So what are you waiting for Richmond, we're all ears.
When will the Powhite Parkway toll project be done?
-- David, Bon Air
According to Linda McElroy, public relations manager for Richmond Metropolitan Authority, Powhite Parkway is going to open in phases with the whole thing done by the fall. The southbound cash lanes (meaning not SmartTag) will be open in April. The current southbound lanes that you drive on will be the express lanes, set to open this summer. Once the southbound lanes are done, RMA will start working on the northbound lanes.
Delightfully though, come summer, the southbound lanes will all be operational, with three express lanes that let SmartTag users speed through at the regular expressway speed (a speed that McElroy says is 45 mph). And, just a heads up, SmartTag is about to be no more. VDOT is doing away with the "term" and plans to start calling them E-ZPass. No one has to change or do anything; it's just a new name that matches what other states use.
I heard Regency Square Mall is closing, is that true?
-- Jenny, Richmond
Not according to the people at Taubman, the company that owns the mall. "There's absolutely no truth to that rumor at all." So shop on, Richmond.
Why is my recycling only picked up every other week instead of weekly like my trash?
-- Meg, Richmond
I spoke to Kelley Hope, director of public affairs for the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority, back in November for another story and I asked her this very question. Your city (or county) determines how often your recycling is picked up. Richmond and its surrounded counties opt for bi-weekly pick for residents. And residents pay for it.
If the recycling is picked up weekly, it would be more expensive. Currently, according to Hope, Richmond residents pay $1.64 in their monthly utility bill for bi-weekly recycling pick up. Weekly pick up would cost a little less than a dollar more a month, or $2.50 a month for recycling services. But it's not a decision residents can make individually. Your city or county, in this case Richmond, would have to up the pick up for all residents.
So what do you want to know, Richmond? Send questions to: karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com with "Why Richmond, Why?!?" in the subject line.