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October 21, 2016 Vol. 8 Issue 9
 
Lumpkin's Jail Archaeological Site Development Kick-off
 
The City of Richmond held a special ceremony on October 10, along with the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, marking the kick-off of the development of the Lumpkin's Slave Jail Archaeological Site. At that time, we announced the selection of a team led by SmithGroupJJR to be awarded the contract to develop the site. A $1.4 million contract has been signed to engage the team's services.

Ceremony for the Lumpkin's Slave Jail Development
 
The team led by SmithGroupJJR has a depth of experience in museum organization and development, museum building design, archaeology, historic preservation, landscape architecture, exhibit design and community engagement. SmithGroupJJR was recognized just a few weeks ago as an integral member of the design team of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which just opened in Washington, DC. Their accomplishments have been recognized both inside and outside of the United States.

The City is also pleased that Lonnie G. Bunch, III, will serve as a scholarly advisor to the Lumpkin's Slave Jail Site project. Dr. Bunch is the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Lumpkin's Jail was a slave-trading complex located in the Shockoe Bottom district of Richmond, Virgini
a. It operated from the 1830s until the end of the American Civil War. The initial Lumpkin's Jail Archeological Assessment was completed in 2006. Following the discovery of artifacts, a second phase of excavation was undertaken in 2007 - 2008. The City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia have since funded advancing the Lumpkin's Jail Site towards an interpretive and reflective site.

This project will honor our ancestors and honor our history. I also believe this project is very important to our ability to move forward as a country. This Lumpkin's Jail Archaeological Site, and the structure that we will erect to explore it, will be here to make sure this country remembers clearly how Africans were introduced to this country. But the site will also inspire and remind us of how far we've come and that we can all be part of the solution that helps this country close the chapter on slavery and that helps this country fully embrace what our Founding Fathers declared; that "all men are created equal."


Construction for the Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza has Begun

It was my honor to host the groundbreaking ceremony for the Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza at Broad and Adams Streets on September 29. Crowds gathered as the Governor, city officials, and Maggie Walker Alumni joined me to mark the beginning of construction of the memorial plaza.

Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza Groundbreaking Ceremony
In Richmond, our history runs deep, and our African American history runs even deeper. The legacy of Maggie L. Walker is part of the rich history of our city. She was a magnificent woman, a proud Richmonder, who achieved national prominence and recognition. The City's Public Art Commission and many others worked very hard to help us reach the milestone of establishing the memorial plaza, and I thank all involved.

We live in a great city, but it is important for everyone to have a sense of place and belonging. We have worked hard in the City of Richmond to embrace this idea and to make sure all of our residents feel connected, and that begins with acknowledging all of our history. Maggie Walker lived, worked, and actively contributed to the Richmond community. And as I said at the groundbreaking, she deserves to be honored on our main corridor; on Broad Street. Her impact on the City of Richmond still resonates today, and her legacy will live on with the construction of this long deserved memorial plaza.

 
T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge Status Report
   
I recently hosted a tour to view the progress of the construction of the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge (TTPMB). The project spans the James River, between the 9th Street (Manchester) Bridge and the Lee Bridge. The TTPMB is roughly aligned with 5th Street in the central business district across the river to the Manchester Climbing Wall. The project objective is to establish a universally accessible shared use pedestrian and bike (non-motorized) path connecting both sides of the river.
  
View of downtown Richmond from the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
 
To achieve this, the existing concrete piers and steel structure, both dating from the earliest years of the twentieth century, have been retrofitted and supplemented to carry a new, continuous metal decking from the 'Three Days in April' Memorial at Brown's Island to the Manchester Embankment. Once on the Manchester shore, an asphalt paved route will continue along the lower, upriver edge of the embankment toward the existing Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, at which point the paving shall parallel the tracks downriver, intersecting with the existing US Army Corps of Engineers and City of Richmond operated flood levee system. The project will integrate and widen the existing levee landform slightly, continuing on downriver as an aggregate paved path, terminating beneath the Manchester Bridge. The pedestrian bridge is approximately 1600 LF in length, and the south bank landscape is approximately 3.25 acres, all located entirely within 8.3 acres of City of Richmond property.

We expect to achieve substantial completion with the bridge work in November, with the site work on schedule for substantial completion in early December.
 
Plan to enjoy another great amenity in our beautiful downtown thank to the implementation of our Riverfront Plan!

Blue Bee Cider Opens in Scott's Addition
   
Congratulations to Courtney Mailey, Blue Bee Cider Founder and Owner, and the entire Blue Bee Cider team as they opened their new facility in Scott's Addition on October 14. When the announcement was made in February to renovate the old city stables into an urban cidery, I did not know all of what to expect. But you can now see the tremendous amount of work that was done, and we applaud those that had the vision for the beautiful space that it has become. 
 
Ribbon Cutting for the Grand Opening of Blue Bee Cider in Scott's Addition
The relocation of Blue Bee to Scott's Addition only strengthens what others have started to figure out; that this neighborhood is a thriving hot-spot in Richmond for business and development. Thank you to everyone at Blue Bee for choosing this location to expand your operations and for keeping your business right here in Richmond. This project represents an investment of more than one million dollars to renovate the old stables and puts money back into our city. We look forward to many years of Blue Bee being in RVA.


City Departments Recognized

On September 21, 2016, the Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) celebrated its 25th anniversary. In 1991, Richmond City Council and the city manager implemented an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system that placed the patient first and guaranteed its performance to the City's residents. Today, the Richmond Ambulance Authority responds to approximately 200 calls per day and transports, on average, 140 patients per day. As dedicated public servants, our RAA men and women work hard to help the public when something unpredictable happens. The City is appreciative of the commitment exemplified by the individuals that work in the Richmond Ambulance Authority and congratulates them on this milestone. 

Last month, the Richmond City Health District (RCHD) was selected as one of the HealthyCommunity50 finalists in the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. Hundreds of city governments, health departments, and other public/private entities applied. As a finalist, RCHD will receive a $10,000 community seed grant, along with valuable collection and information tools that will help RCHD continue to serve the Richmond community. We thank them for their plan to implement community projects that address health equity and their goal to achieve measurable health outcomes in our city.  

Active RVA, a program the City partnered on with Sports Backers, was selected as a winner of the national Play Everywhere Challenge by KaBoom!, a Washington, D.C., based non-profit. The project, 'Upswing: Retractable Jump Ropes and Sidewalk Play as Neighborhood Renewal," was selected as one of 50 nationwide from over 1,000 applications. The aim of the project is to provide children and families in low-income communities the opportunity to play, jump, and connect with one another. It is great to see the City create initiatives to encourage active lifestyles and provide new activities for our residents.strengthen.

All About Town

Pumpkins take over the Boulevard during the Scott's Addition Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, October 22. The festival will be held on the Boulevard between Leigh and Broad streets from noon to 6 p.m. Be sure to wear your favorite costume as this family friendly event features contests for kids, adults, and even pets! The festival will feature live music and plenty of tasty pumpkin dishes!
 
Don't miss the City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities' 31st Annual Cheerleading Jamboree on October 27 at 6 p.m. at the Richmond Coliseum. The Cheerleading Jamboree is a high energy event that showcases the department's community center cheerleaders.
 
The 17th Street Farmer's Market will host Brunswick Stew and Stout on November 5 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Stewmasters from all over gather for this annual event, each offering their unique version of a tasty fall favorite. Stew available for purchase by the sample or by the quart. Come enjoy an expanded craft market, great music, and ice-cold brew to wash down all that delicious stew.
 
The City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities football playoffs begin on November 1. The second round of playoff games will take place on November 5 at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center and the championship games will be played at City Stadium on November 19. All games begin at 10 a.m.
 
Please note that City offices will be closed on Friday, November 11 in honor of Veteran's Day.



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Thank you.

 

Dwight C. Jones
Mayor, City of Richmond