|
Activity
Report
African
Burial Ground Project
Pursuant to the Amended Memorandum of Agreement
March 31, 2004
This report covers events
surrounding the African Burial Ground (ABG) Project for the period of
January through March 2004.
Introduction
The
activities for this reporting period include ongoing work to complete the
technical reports and the continuing coordination regarding the Exterior
Memorial and Interpretive Center for the site. A brief list of meetings,
telephone conferences, etc., held during this reporting period is provided as
Appendix A.
Activities of the Reporting Period
Technical Studies (U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers/Howard University)
The Archaeology Team
has submitted preliminary draft chapters of the Archaeology Report to the Corps
for initial review and comment. The complete preliminary draft of all chapters
is expected in the next quarter. The Skeletal Biology and History Teams have
each submitted the Final Manuscript, version 1, for review by each of the
technical Advisory Review Boards, the regulatory agencies, the Advisory Council
on Historic Preservation, the NPS and the New York City Landmarks Preservation
Commission, and the Corps. Submission of the next and final version of the
Skeletal Biology and History reports for review by these agencies is anticipated
in the beginning of the next quarter. The Corps is also coordinating with the
Skeletal Biology research team to determine the type, number and location of the
samples taken from the human remains as part of this project.
Archives Project (U.S. Army Corp of
Engineers)
The Corps provided a
copy of the draft feasibility and conditions assessment report, which includes a
field catalog of records, to GSA for their review. The Corps is continuing its
preparation of the Curation Management Plan and is in the process of contacting
facilities in New York City area who might be interested in becoming the
curation facility for the entire collection.
Interpretive Center (National Park Service)
The NPS held five
Listening Sessions to introduce the NPS team and define the NPS role in the
African Burial Ground project. Listening Session participants were identified
by Dr. Sherrill Wilson, OPEI Director, Ayo Harrington, Friends of the African
Burial Ground and Ollie McClean, Committee of the Descendants of the Afrikan
Ancestral Burial Ground. NPS team members shared the overall program strategy,
listened to participant's issues and concerns and invited attendees to
participate in future public workshops and forums. Participants were asked to
identify others interested parties that should be invited to upcoming workshops
and public forums.
NPS, GSA and IDI Construction met to update IDI on the overall project timeline,
clarify the NPS' role with the Interpretive Center project and discuss issues
and concerns with next steps for the Interpretive Center project.
Exterior Memorial (National
Park Service)
Source Selection Evaluation Board (SSEB) members met to review and discuss a
support agreement for tasks associated with the selection of an Exterior
Memorial Design. Dennis Montagna, NPS, was elected SSEB chairperson. The SSEB
met with Exterior Memorial Advisors to reintroduce the project and key NPS
participants.
SSEB
members met with four of the five design finalists to bring the teams up to date
on reinvigorated project design timeline and general procedures. SSEB and
Exterior Memorial Advisors discussed project timeline and parameters and began
planning for four public forums in NYC metro area to solicit public feedback on
Exterior Memorial considerations, as well as to receive specific feedback on the
five finalist designs.
Web Site (GSA)
The
website is active and continues to be updated to include information regarding
public meetings, events, etc. If there are any suggestions regarding future
content, please contact Mr. Peter Sneed, GSA, at
peter.sneed@gsa.com.
|
