As we shared earlier, thanks to the advocacy of people like you, the controversial proposal to place a minor league baseball stadium in the Bottom was withdrawn last fall, leaving the fate of the district still up in the air. City officials have indicated their desire to place a traditional museum atop a small slice of Shockoe Bottom, making the area vulnerable to large-scale, inappropriate development and missing an opportunity to think bolder and braver in planning Shockoe’s future.

With funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the UMass/Center for Design Engagement (C*DE) will travel to Richmond to join the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project, Preservation Virginia, the National Trust, and the Storefront for Community Design in holding a community design charrette to refine and enhance the concept for the Sacred Ground Memorial Park. This work is a direct reaction to the community’s clear call for a fuller interpretation of Shockoe’s history, as expressed during the mayor’s Richmond Speaks process.

The six-day project, from May 29 through June 4, is a chance for community members to propose ideas and directly contribute to a series of design proposals that will help advance the ongoing effort to remember and revitalize nine acres of Shockoe Bottom.

So join us on Tuesday, May 31, or Wednesday, June 1, from 7–9 p.m. at the Storefront for Community Design (205 E. Broad Street, Richmond) to add your vision to the plans for a Sacred Ground Memorial Park.

Then come see the design proposals that will result from this public input at a special unveiling on Friday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Richmond’s new Black History Museum and Cultural Center (122 W. Leigh Street.)

The success of this workshop depends upon the active participation of community members. Help us ensure a bright future for Shockoe Bottom that respects its past!

Email Erica Stewart at estewart@savingplaces.org with any questions.