HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-18 - Minutes -CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE
ARKANSAS
MEETING MINUTES
Meeting of the Black Heritage Preservation Commission
May 18, 2023 6:30 PM
RM 111 City Hall & Zoom
NOTE: The May 18, 2023 Black Heritage Preservation Commission meeting was held
virtually and in person, with commissioners attending remotely or in person. Staff were
present in person.
Members: Council Member D'Andre Jones, Chair J L Jennings, Vice Chair Lois Bryant,
Veronica Huff, Wendell Huggins, Kaleb Turner, and Shawn Walker
City Staff: Britin Bostick - Long Range Planning & Special Projects Manager
Call to Order: 6:31 pm
In Attendance: Council Member D'Andre Jones, Chair J L Jennings, Vice Chair Lois Bryant,
Kaleb Turner, Shawn Walker, Dr. Michael Pierce, Sharon Killian, and Britin Bostick
Approval of Minutes from the April Meeting: Motion to accept the April minutes by
Commissioner Turner, second by Council Member Jones. Motion approved 4-0-0.
Juneteenth Planning: The Nelson Hackett Maker unveiling and street name change
recognition will be held on Friday, June 16 with the unveiling beginning at 6:00pm and planned
to be approximately half an hour. Proposed speakers for the unveiling included the Mayor, U of
A Chancellor Dr. Charles Robinson, Dr. Kathryn Sloan, Council Member D'Andre Jones, and
Commission Chair J L Jennings.
Dr. Pierce was recognized for his work on the University's portion of events and for garnering
support and collaboration with speakers, event funding, and reception entertainment. A series of
four speakers will present at the Pryor Center from 4:00pm to 5:30pm with a reception in the
atrium in front of the Pryor Center following the marker unveiling. Orson Weems, executive
director of The Music Education Initiative is coordinating the live entertainment and Rolling in
the Dough bakery will provide cookies. The University will have a media release. Could the
Department of History and other contributors to the Nelson Hackett Project be acknowledged?
Chair Jennings and Dr. Pierce thanked Commissioner Turner for his coordination efforts.
Commissioner Turner will be completing graphics and a flyer and work with U of A news to
publish the information to the University community. Commissioners asked for coordination on a
media release through City Hall. Bostick asked what color lighting should be used on the
Square and Commissioners requested red and green. Bostick also asked what color curtain for
the marker and Commissioners requested black. Bostick asked if there is a preference or
expectation for attire and Commissioners recommended attendees come dressed comfortably,
with no particular dress code but "casual with common sense" in the event of warm weather.
Mailing Address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Identifying and Recognizing Fayetteville's Historic Black Neighborhoods: Council Member
Jones noted that he would not be able to stay the duration of the meeting but noted his full
support of Sharon Killian's efforts and asked her to share her proposal with the Commission.
Chair Jennings turned the floor over to Ms. Killian for her presentation.
Sharon Killian presented a proposed resolution for consideration by the City Council that
recognizes past policies of discrimination and erasure and that seeks to redress those harms by
supporting efforts to establish a vibrant and thriving economy in the historic Spout Spring
neighborhood. Ms. Killian thanked the Commissioners for listening and for their support and
discussed the plan to create a space in Fayetteville that we all want to live in. The proposed
resolution references City Council Resolution 213-2020 declaring racism to be a public health
crisis. The 2020 resolution includes language that purported to dedicate staffing and resources
to address the crisis, and this resolution was written to begin implementation of that intent. The
proposed resolution includes references to the 1945 plan and 2040 plan and the sale of the
Jefferson School property by Fayetteville ISD. The proposed resolution also includes a call for a
Racial Equity Strategic Plan and the stoppage of erasure. The proposal is part of a vision for a
thriving and vibrant district. Ms. Killian read the proposed resolution to the Commission and
expressed hope for their support.
Upon invitation to continue by Chair Jennings, Ms. Killian said that it would be a shame to lose
the authenticity that is already here, and that saving this place would be a shining star for the
city. Ms. Killian showed a map of Black property ownership in Fayetteville in 1904 with
properties pinpointed and neighborhood areas highlighted from Red Hill along North Street to
South Fayetteville, including the area around the Henderson School and along Willow Street
and Spout Spring. Ms. Killian shared that Black families came to Fayetteville after Emancipation
because they could not live anywhere else, and that three Green Book houses were in the
neighborhood shown on the map image. It would be a shame to lose this and that it serves as a
record of Black resilience. In 1968 the city decided to address blight, specifically naming this
neighborhood. This is where people were able to live after Emancipation, although they had to
work for their former enslavers as employment and economic opportunities remained limited.
The vision includes Afro -future design that is reflective of its place and culture. The urgency now
is due to properties being for sale and the desire to not lose any additional properties from Black
ownership. Many places are being lost because people are losing hope that something will
happen.
Ms. Killian requested the Commission's support. Chair Jennings noted Council Member Jones'
support and Chair Jennings and Commissioner Turner expressed their support for the proposal.
Vice Chair Bryant asked for a copy of the proposed resolution to review before being asked to
make a recommendation. Commissioners asked for an emailed copy of the proposed resolution
to review. Bostick to forward the resolution from Ms. Killian.
Citywide Historic Preservation Plan Update: Bostick gave a presentation recapping the
planning process, public meetings and input, comments on the document by the community,
action items in the plan, the survey for action item priorities by the community, and survey
results at the first and second May Farmer's Market. Bostick noted the timeline for adoption and
that she would be bringing the plan to the Commissioners in their June meeting for a
recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Turner asked to clarify the vote in June.
Chair Jennings appreciated the efficiency of the presentation. Commissioners did not have
additional comments.
Budget Planning: Chair Jennings asked to table the item to the next meeting with the
concurrence of the Commissioners. He asked Commissioners to reflect on budget needs ahead
of the next meeting. Bostick to place on next meeting's agenda.
Adjourn: 7:48pm