As summer temperatures start to spike this week, the City of Richmond is taking steps to help residents stay cool and safe by opening cooling stations in neighborhoods throughout the area.

Beginning this week, all Richmond Public Library locations will serve as cooling stations, providing air-conditioned spaces during their normal operating hours seven days a week. 

The city’s Department of Social Services buildings at Marshall Plaza and Southside Plaza also are designated cooling stations, open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To provide additional relief during the hottest parts of extreme heat days, the city plans to open a dedicated Inclement Weather Shelter later this month at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave. This site will offer 100 cooling beds from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. anytime the temperatures reach or exceed 92 degrees. If temperatures remain at 92 degrees or above at 9 p.m., the shelter will remain open overnight.

City Hall also will function as a temporary cooling station location on City holidays and Sundays until the Inclement Weather Shelter opens. 

As the summer heat intensifies, Richmond officials are encouraging all residents, especially those most vulnerable like the elderly, to take advantage of the cooling station resources. 

Locations and hours can be found on the City of Richmond’s website at richmond.gov/cooling.