03 Oct Richmond Renaissance to Develop New Arts Corridor

City Council member Doria Robinson expressed “serious concerns” over the experience of a group chosen Tuesday to develop an arts corridor in the city and also spoke of growing up in “a Richmond that not many people know today.” (Screenshot captured by Samantha Kennedy / The CC Pulse)

By Samantha Kennedy

Two groups made their cases Tuesday for a chance to guide the development of a new Arts Corridor in Richmond. One group came out on top ahead of schedule. 

Richmond City Council unanimously voted to award a contract of up to $50,000 to Independent Arts and Media, fiscal sponsor of the local Richmond Renaissance, to develop a plan that would turn the area between Macdonald Avenue from 41st Street to 6th Street and 23rd Street between Rheem Avenue and Cutting Boulevard into an arts corridor. 

“This project is the brainchild of one group,” City Council member Soheila Bana said. “It’s like taking the child away and giving it to another mother — if they’re not capable of raising the child then, yes, definitely — but this group seems well capable.” 

The council chose Richmond Renaissance, which first proposed the idea of an arts corridor, over Ceres Policy Research for the group’s local ties, passion and because the project was their idea. 

“Richmond Renaissance is Richmond,” said Mayor Eduardo Martinez, noting the faces of Richmond residents in the presentation on Tuesday. 

In their presentation, Richmond Renaissance spoke about environmental justice and urban greening which Martinez noticed wasn’t mentioned in the presentation by Ceres Policy Research.

Ceres Policy Research’s team, including those with experience in Black studies, sociology and racial justice, proposed a plan that would have been a “liberatory, community-driven process,” according to its proposal. 

Ceres Policy Research previously served as a consultant for the Vallejo Arts Fund, helped with research for the Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, and is currently working on a project with the RYSE Center about youth’s well-being following COVID. 

While council members seemed to overwhelmingly support Richmond Renaissance being awarded the contract, council member Doria Robinson said she had “serious concerns” with the group’s experience putting together complex plans like the one required for the project. 

According to the group’s proposal, there are no employees and it is run by volunteers. Its seven-person steering committee is made up of educators, advocates, artists and community leaders. 

Three previous commissioners of Richmond’s Arts & Culture Commission also sit on the committee, which will take on an advisory role. The committee’s chair, BK Williams, a collaborator with the Arts & Culture Commission and filmmaker, will “play a more advisory role in the project.” 

“I wish that Richmond Renaissance — with all the connections, all the beautiful art organizations — could lead,” said Robinson, who supported the group receiving the contract, “but be informed and supported by the experience and capacity of the other group.”

Martinez acknowledged what he called “a learning curve” but said “the expertise is there; we just have to give them a chance to cultivate it.” 

“I hope they can do that in two months,” said Robinson, referring to the American Rescue Plan Act funding obligation deadline on Dec. 31. If governments don’t commit ARPA funds by the deadline, that funding can’t be used and must be returned.

ARPA funding was previously slated to be used for the arts corridor plan and its implementation, but the upcoming deadline means funding will have to come from elsewhere. 

Those ARPA funds also have a Dec. 31, 2026, deadline, at which point funding must be fully spent. 

Council first asked that a request for proposals be sent out last October, which was then sent out in December of that year. Ceres and Richmond Renaissance were the only two to respond. 

Richmond Renaissance will have three to four months to submit a plan for review to the council and city staff. 

Moving forward with renaming Virginia Playlot

Council members unanimously voted to move forward with a proposal that would rename the Virginia Playlot in honor of Floria Evans, the late Richmond resident whom another resident called “a blessing to the community.” 

“I think it’s a very important thing to recognize the people who have been anchors to our community, who have really held communities together,” said Robinson. Renaming is about “honoring a woman who has acted as the glue in the community.” 

Residents, including Evans’ family, recalled her contributions to the community

“She was a beautiful mom, a mom to me and others in the community,” said Pam Saucer, who lived near the Evans’ home. 

Growing up in Richmond, Robinson said she “knew a Richmond that not many people know today.” That Richmond is one where “you have just a whole neighborhood watching over you.” 

Evans, she said, was one of those watching over kids. 

“She lived right across the street from the park, and looked out for children over the years…until God called her home,” Saucer said. 

Council members will officially vote on the name change of the park, located at S. 18th Street and Virginia Avenue, at its next meeting, Oct. 15.