Policy Priorities
Andreas knows first-hand how city government works, and more importantly, when it doesn’t. He is ready to start on Day One building stronger neighborhoods and commercial corridors centered around transit, expansion of greenspace, walkability, and small business growth.
Andreas believes every decision must be rooted in racial and economic justice where his administration is intentional about dismantling systemic barriers and breaking through generational poverty. We must invest in people so they have a full and healthy life, closing the life expectancy gap that disproportionately impacts Black, Brown, and lower-income residents.
By delivering quality and consistent public services — with access to a continuum of care, quality education, economic stability, and safe built environments — the quality of life will improve for residents at every stage of life.
Andreas is running to be the mayor of Richmond, not for higher office. He understands the responsibility of mayor and is committed to seeing Richmond reach its full potential as a city.
Andreas is fighting for:
The way a city manages and spends public funds is reflected in the quality of services residents receive. Unresponsive, outdated, and inflexible systems are how we fail our community. An unhealthy workplace culture also leads to turnover and stagnation in making progress. Richmond needs a City Hall that’s transparent, accountable, modern, and operational across the board to deliver high-quality, consistent, and efficient services in your neighborhood.
As mayor, Andreas is committed to a City Hall that’s well-resourced, responsive and engaged, community-involved, and proactive. This includes working with Richmond City Council.
Priorities include:
Customer service: Providing quick, easy, and personalized service so you can understand and pay your bills online, get building permits, and get your questions answered in a timely manner.
Constituent engagement: Increasing the face-time of city employees, officials, and my administration in every district so your ideas and concerns are heard.
IT infrastructure: Hiring a Chief Innovation Officer to lead the planning and strategy that will lead to City Hall having seamless processes and technologies that deliver outcomes for staff and you.
Organizational culture: Supporting our existing workforce, recruiting new talent, and designing an ecosystem that prioritizes two-way communication, departmental collaboration, career advancement, and innovation.
Today’s Richmond looks different than it did a decade ago. Walking through Scott’s Addition and Manchester is a reminder that this is no longer a quiet transformation. Often, the city’s attention to new developments and shiny projects has not been met with equal investment in solutions that generate upward mobility. Higher costs of living combined with decades of discriminatory housing policies are expediting displacement, evictions, and homelessness.
Housing must be at the center of how we plan and grow in Richmond. Stable housing reduces stress, improves the well-being of children, and creates better health outcomes. As mayor, Andreas will work to ensure Richmonders are able to live and age in place in quality housing they can afford.
Priorities include:
A housing-first approach: Moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing with wraparound services and support.
Affordable housing: Expanding the City’s Land Trust portfolio to permanently increase affordable home ownership opportunities, and building new housing for all income levels.
Critical home repair: Partnering with nonprofit organizations to repair homes, including rental properties, instead of issuing citations. Weatherizing homes will also improve energy efficiency for residents and lower utility bills.
Tax reform: Tempering unsustainable assessment increases, and changing incentive structures in our real estate taxes to reduce burdens on renters and homeowners, while encouraging more sustainable transit-oriented development connecting our neighborhoods.
Every household in every neighborhood deserves walkable access to high-quality amenities, services, programs, and activities. That includes pedestrian-friendly streets, sidewalks, great lighting, multiple transportation options, trees, culture and art, and public spaces. Walkability supports a healthy and thriving city. Only 80% of Richmonders live within a 10-minute walk to a park, and even then, that journey may be challenging with inadequate or missing sidewalks. Workers, students, and families should not have to walk on the shoulder of the road to get to a bus stop.
The city needs a mayor like Andreas who will prioritize connectivity and accessibility.
Priorities include:
Complete streets: Ensuring streets allow for safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation.
Reconnecting neighborhoods: Bridging the gap between North and South Richmond by centering mobility, access, and infrastructure upgrades that bring people together.
Prioritizing public transit: GRTC and its workforce are the backbone of mobility in our city. Andreas will prioritize maintaining GRTC’s zero-fare system while still investing in service expansion, upgraded rider facilities, and reliable frequencies.
Andreas is a small business owner and understands the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. He can speak first-hand to the permitting process, managing daily operations, and being responsible for the livelihood of employees. Small businesses drive our economy and employ local residents, yet we’re placing unnecessary burdens on them. A thriving Richmond supports small businesses, generates new employment opportunities, revitalizes empty offices and storefronts, and creates a pipeline for RPS students to access high-paying jobs.
During his two terms in office, Andreas removed the tax burden on more than 60% of small businesses. He will continue to listen and partner with business leaders on projects that support a mix of economic activities which contribute to sustainable communities.
Priorities include:
Building up Southside: Investing in infrastructure, housing, employment, and public facilities to improve the quality of life for residents and attract new businesses – including a grocery store – so South Richmonders know they are valued.
Small business: Driving business to our local employers and providing capital for Black and Brown entrepreneurs to sustain and grow their businesses, including artists and artisans.
Workforce development: Recruiting RPS students to work for the City and partnering with local employers to create quality jobs to hire locally.
Technology: Delivering high-speed broadband to public schools, libraries, households, and businesses to work, study, train, and innovate.
Tax reform: Lowering the Business, Professions & Occupational (BPOL) tax to compete regionally and attract businesses.
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