The Siegel Center will host 15 high school graduations this month. (File photo)

By Olivia Truban

The Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department expects heavy traffic in downtown Richmond during local high school graduation ceremonies at the Stuart C. Siegel Center beginning May 19.

Nine high schools from Chesterfield County and six from Richmond are hosting ceremonies at the Siegel Center from May 19-23 and May 28-30. Each event is expected to attract 2,500 to more than 6,000 attendees.

VCU Police has collaborated with VCU Parking and Transportation, the city of Richmond, the Richmond Police Department and others to develop a plan to mitigate traffic impacts.

No-parking signs will be posted along West Marshall Street, between Bowe and North Harrison streets, behind the Siegel Center; towing enforcement will go into effect May 19. This specific area will be reserved for buses to drop off graduates. VCU Police is also working with the city to establish 15-minute parking zones on nearby streets to accommodate customers at local businesses.

Doors at the Siegel Center will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony. Police advise graduating students and their guests to allow extra time for travel and parking. Pedestrians near the Siegel Center will have to use crosswalks, managed by police, as VCU will place safety fencing along Broad Street and side streets.

Due to the designation of travel lanes, drivers will not be permitted to drop off passengers in front of the Siegel Center. There will be a designated drop-off area for passengers and guests with mobility impairments on the eastbound side of the 1200 block of Broad Street. Signs will be in place to assist drivers with identifying this location.

Blue, red, green and yellow parking passes, issued by area schools, will be required for guests parking in assigned parking decks at VCU. Guests can view additional parking and arrival instructions at go.vcu.edu/hsgraduations.

VCU Parking and Transportation will be temporarily relocating VCU parking subscribers from the West Broad Street Deck between May 19-23. West Broad subscribers have the option to relocate during the May 28-30 ceremonies, and Bowe Street Deck subscribers have the option during both sets of dates.

For additional questions about traffic, parking and access, call the VCU Police nonemergency line at 804- 828-1196. LiveSafe users can also submit questions through the app. Police dispatchers monitor the nonemergency line and LiveSafe messages 24/7.

Graduation guests can sign up for VCU Alert emergency texts online at alert.vcu.edu/signup/.