RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond City Hall's observation deck has reopened to the general public on Thursday after closing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula announced that they had reopened City Hall's 18th-floor observation deck on Thursday, Jan. 8 -- the first time in nearl y six years. The overlook initially closed to the general public in 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. For decades, the City Hall Observation Deck has been one of Richmond’s gems. It’s a place where you can step back, see our city from a new perspective, and appreciate how all our neighborhoods connect in ways that aren’t always visible from the ground. Reopening the Observation Deck has been a major goal during my first year in office, and I’m so thrilled that we’ve been able to put the processes in place to welcome Richmonders back to this special space. Gail Johnson, the director of general services, explained that updating security measures and elevator logistics helped with the reopening. Officials said they had installed new signage and posted a new concierge in the first-floor lobby of City Hall to ensure Richmonders "know that this building is for them." “City Hall is and always will be the people’s house,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II in a press release. “Opening this space is a reminder that buildings are also places of pride, connection, and perspective to the people they serve. From 18 floors up, you can see just how connected our city truly is—and now we have a safe and welcoming space for the public.” The observation deck is open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding city holidays. For more information on the observation deck and other City Hall services, visit the "Visiting City Hall" webpage. ...read more read less