Reconciliation Plaza and the Shockoe Project
Cheers RVA!
Today will be partly sunny with a high of 66 and a low of 54. The weekend is expected to be mostly sunny with highs in the low 70s, although we could see some rain showers early on Sunday. Enjoy the pleasant weather as a cold front is expected to arrive on Monday.
the juice:
The city Planning Commission advanced two components of the Shockoe Project, approving plans for a memorial to the Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground and the final design for Reconciliation Plaza improvements.
The memorial will honor Richmond's first municipal burying ground for free and enslaved people of color (Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground). Active from the late 1700s to the early 1800s, it is the final resting place of an unknown number of Richmonders.
The Reconciliation Plaza is home to one of three identical statues, the other two located in Liverpool in the United Kingdom and Cotonou in the Republic of Benin. All three cities played central roles in the transatlantic slave trade.
the pulp:
The former teacher who was shot by a 6 year-old student at an elementary school in Newport News in January of 2023 has been awarded a $10 million jury verdict, via WWBT. Abby Zwerner accused the former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School of ignoring repeated warnings that the child had a gun. Zwerner required six surgeries and does not have the full use of her left hand, and the bullet that narrowly missed her heart remains in her chest.
The Department of Housing and Community (DHC) in Richmond has announced two requests for proposals for affordable housing development at two city-owned locations, one in Shockoe Bottom and one in Manchester.
the vibe:
Have a fascinating day RVA!
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