City Council separates Shockoe Slavery site from revitalization plan

The city will provide $5 million and the state will provide $11 million.

February 11, 2014; 9:11 AM • by Richard Hayes

When the Mayor first spoke of his Shockoe Economic Revitalization Plan he said it was an “all or nothing” type of deal. All aspects of the plan had to pass together or not at all. After last night that plan has to be adjusted. As it stands now, regardless of whether a baseball stadium or other economic movement is made in Shockoe Bottom the money will be there to memorialize it’s sordid past.

Details from RTD.

The expedited resolution on the funding for slavery projects, co-patroned by all nine council members, was intended to indicate the city’s willingness to meet the conditions for $11 million in proposed state funding for the projects. That funding, proposed by then-Gov. Bob McDonnell, is currently under consideration by the General Assembly.

Councilman Jonathan T. Baliles, 1st District, explained the resolution he introduced as an attempt to “hopefully affirm” the $11 million in state funding by stating that the city will provide $5 million of its own.

“It’s that simple,” Baliles said.

The council passed the resolution with little discussion, but a few attendees asked for clarification on what it meant.

“It is completely separated from the ballpark,” said Council President Charles R. Samuels, 2nd District.

Photo: Loving RVA