A new historical marker, honoring and remembering those of the Colored Burial Ground in the City of Newburgh, will be installed on October 13 at 2 p.m at the City Courthouse along Broadway. Additionally to the new marker, the city continues to push forward towards a new outdoor memorial site at the top of the hill in Downing Park that has been planned to be constructed and dedicated.
City Planning and Development Director Ali Church briefly presented to city council at the September 19 work session several updates. These updates include the following: a new parking area for the memorial site; three meetings planned through December, open to the public for their input on what education materials should be made available with another presentation to city council and the preparation of construction documents.
Church further explained that final construction documents would be prepared in early 2025 with required environmental review. The springtime of 2025 would be when the project returns before council and would go out to bid. Studio HIP Landscape Architecture, PLLC and PUSH Studio, LLC are the firms leading the memorial project and have been working with the city to make the project a reality.
It has been 16 years since the discovery and disturbance of African American remains. Remains were discovered in 2008, disturbed under the City of Newburgh courthouse on Broadway during routine construction. The creation of the new memorial site seeks to return those remains with a circular memorial design descending into the hillside slope.
The site would include a designated parking and drop off area near the top of the hill. The area could further be used for larger group functions. All ramps within the design would be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Visitors would be welcomed with education areas, seating areas and grassed areas within the site. The center grassed areas are proposed to be the future resting places of the remains. A contemplation area at the bottom of the slope would be for residents and visitors to reflect on the site. The Hudson River valley would serve as a backdrop for the site.
City Manager Todd Venning noted for clarification after the presentation that in the new year during that time, the city would have a cost estimate for the memorial project. “We’d be able to look to the potential funding sources or opportunities for that [project],” Venning further explained.
Councilman Giselle Martinez reiterated the need for the materials and discussions on the project to be shared in different languages. “I know that, of course Spanish, but more so in Creole, I know that we have a growing community that speaks Creole,” said Martinez.
Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde spoke about the slightly negative feedback on social media about the parking but was satisfied with the clarification on the designed area provided by Church.
Councilman Robert Sklarz asked about the footprint size of the site, which Church stated has increased but not with the memorial site itself.
Mayor Torrance Harvey expressed his anticipation for the project and requested a plaque of those who had a hand in the project be included at the site. “The African American Burial Ground project is really near and dear to many of our hearts,” said Harvey on Thursday night. “I think that this project is very fitting for what the park represents overall. I’m looking forward to this.”