The piece focused on preservation, and the news hook was the fact that the structure had been named "one of the most endangered historic buildings" in the Commonwealth by Preservation Virginia.
The reporting by Christy Goodman was straightforward and balanced, but it surprised the Growler to read the following quote from Black History Museum Director Louis Hicks:
There are not many standing African-American institutions left in the city. Not many, if any. African-American schools are demolished [nationwide] and not really considered worthy of saving. It is not a pretty building, but it does carry a legacy of educating African-American children."Readers will recall that just one year ago at the Board of Architectural Review hearing, Mr. Hicks -- with rather endearing honesty -- professed knowing nothing about the Legion or the early, more appealing history of the building as a school until Mr. Cromley came along and ferreted out the history.
What puzzles the Growler now is Mr. Hicks' statement to the Washington Post reporter that "there are not many standing African-American institutions left in the city."
Mr. Hicks' own museum Web site outlines a self-guided walking tour of the City that includes the Robinson Library (adjacent to the Black History Museum), a number of landmark houses of worship such as Alfred Street Baptist church, People's Florist in our neighborhood (the first African-American florists in Alexandria), Dr. Albert Johnson's house, civil rights leader Samuel Tucker's house on Princess Street, Odd Fellows Hall, and more.
17 comments:
What's the criteria for getting on such lists? It can't be credible research. There was violence there. A murder! What I don't like about preservationists is their obvious lack of research. When we needed the police to monitor the Legion's weekend closings Old Town citizens ignored us. Now that the building is vacant it is only early education they remember. Hicks did not acquit himself well. Why save a building that offers only a few years of marginal history.
And still not a word on Tuckers house from any of the so called "activists".
Their hypocrisy and delusion is mind-boggling.
There was a great comment in 2009 about this:
Where are these same defenders when it comes to improving economic opportunities around the housing projects, analyzing our failed public and affordable housing policies, and highlighting the problems in the educational achievement for minorities at GW and JH?
Instead we get to concentrate on preserving a building that has no existing use right now.
Still applies now: WHERE ARE THEY?
Oh and how can I forget this money quote from Boyd:
"And now many in the community are basing their support for the demolition on the fact that this building is a little rough around the edges, and recently had a rough history"
I love how the nimbyists and the "activists" use such soft, passive adjectives.
I dont recall the building being "a little rough around the edges". More like a building that seemed to attract people who menaced and committed "emotional damage" to neighbors of all colors and genders around them.
Boyd Walker and his merry band of brothers are utter hypocrites. The Bland project has just as much age and community history as the Legion, yet they were totally silent when that application was approved.
"yet they were totally silent when that application was approved"
They weren't silent when residents were allegedly not being given all kinds of benefits as part of the moving process.
Its not just hypocrisy, its total lunacy.
None of these activists can propose an idea for what the building should become. Not a one.
"What puzzles the Growler now is Mr. Hicks' statement to the Washington Post reporter"
Shocking!?!? You mean there is hypocrite in Alexandria who jumps on every "race" wagon that is available? The instrument that can measure my complete lack of surprise has yet to be invented.
Boyd Walker and his merry band of brothers are utter hypocrites. The Bland project has just as much age and community history as the Legion, yet they were totally silent when that application was approved
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Anyone notice the nice EYA website about the project? There is NO mention that the property was formally public housing, and no mention that it will be again. How would EYA and the city feel if some of us band together and put up poster signs with little maps detailing which u it's are public housing in the new development as well as around the area?
Also got a tidbit of insight into the types of folks ARHA houses. Turns out that under the Hope IV rules, a housing authority can not discriminate against residents who are income-free, have criminal records, drug issues, etc. Not only that, a measurable per engage of units must be reserved for such folks. So there you go, our hard earned tax dollars are in fact being used to house the lowest level residents, and we have no say in the matter.
The only way to fix this? Remove resolution 830, dismAntle ARHA and sell all the properties, use the coney to provide vouchers for residents allowing them to choose where they live.
Very disappointing comment from Mr. Hicks. It's a shame Alexandria can't learn from Charleston, SC. That city openly acknowledges its slave heritage - and enjoys a booming tourist trade from those interested in black history.
The fuction of Alexandria's Black History museum should be to educate people about the past, promote the study of black history, and celebrate the achievements of the present day citizenry, not to jump on the race card bandwagon.
Mr. Hicks missed an opportunity to promote Alexandria's rich historical resources. Instead, he chose the well-trod woe is me road. A shame.
The Walker family must carry some serious clout in Richmond for son Boyd to be allowed to run the entire City of Alexandria machinery through the financial wringer.
Anyone have a clue?
"The Walker family must carry some serious clout in Richmond for son Boyd to be allowed to run the entire City of Alexandria machinery through the financial wringer. "
Boyd is an example of the "government by activist" problem endemic to Alexandria. The louder you yell and the bigger the scene you make the more likely you are to get what you want from City Council.
Wasn't Boyd's Mother a council woman once?
Yes she was. Here is a recent article about her and her agenda.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=341029&paper=59&cat=104
Still wonder how Boyd gets what he wants when dealing with the cities well oiled political machine?
"Wasn't Boyd's Mother a council woman once?"
Yeah but Old Town bounced her out on her butt.
A bit off topic but the recycling bins come into play:
Interesting article in the Gazette:
http://connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=341190&paper=59&cat=104
"City officials say that they have kept statistics for years on which houses use recycling bins and which ones don’t. The information is used to coordinate outreach programs to neighborhoods with low rates of participation. All that data, house by house, is logged by hand at City Hall — hours and hours of staff time that transportation director Rich Baier says could be better used doing something else."
Really they currently do it "house by house"? So the recycling employees come through and somehow, somewhere note that I put out a recycling bin? Why because it is proximate to my house? Are you sure my neighbor didn't decide to leave his bin near mine to make it easy for the recycling people? Do I get browny points when that happens? Seriously, do they carry clipboards? And to what end? How much is this costing? No wonder the city wants to increase our taxes. When does the idea of taking our taxes and just pissing the money away end? How about Mayor Euille figures out a way to stop being an f'ing idiot and fix some of the city's real problems? Oh no much better to stall and delay.
Did anyone get a chance to see Delegate Englin's flyer this past weekend, talking about his accomplishments this session?
No mention of all on the public housing trespassing bill he tried to get passed.
"Yes she was. Here is a recent article about her and her agenda.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=341029&paper=59&cat=104
Still wonder how Boyd gets what he wants when dealing with the cities well oiled political machine?"
MMMomma! MMMMomma!
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