Is the design appropriate for the African Burial Ground?
Why or why not?
 
What elements would you keep or change?

 
Public comments were submitted by people responding to exhibitions of the five final designs conducted by The National Park Service and the General Services Administration and also through the African Burial Ground web site. The comments were were gathered from September 7 through October 8, 2004.

You may jump to a specific set of responses by selecting from the list below:

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Federal Building, 290 Broadway
Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center, Staten Island
Brooklyn Historical Society
Bronx Community College
Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center, Queens
Electronic Responses

 
Responses submitted at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture:
 
• No. Seems non-specific. Could be for anything and anywhere.

• No. Too plain; there is nothing sacred nor historic about it.

• No change.



• Reminds me of a conveyer belt the way mounds are situated.
• Change all.

• I like this one because it keeps the open space of the burial ground open.
• I would add a wall of remembrance.

• Looks like a greenhouse or nursery.

• Not Appropriate
• Panels appear to be interesting; could not obtain a sense of the total content.

• No. It doesn’t convey the power, struggle, effort put into the overall effort and development of this project.
• Only aspect I like is the color.

• No. Looks like a transportation stop.

• No.
• Too much grass and tress, limited seating, and not feeling of closeness.

• The glass panels are a good concept with a sitting area for reflection. I would change the grassy area and fill it in with another feature or exhibit.
• Change the grassy area.

• Not interactive, nothing to evoke the soul.

• No.

• Too bland.

• Too plain, not enough enrichment.
• Add more features with written history.

• Yes.
• Keep all the elements

• No. It’s too simple.

• Rolling hills brings an undercutting emotional response. It represents and evokes sense of calm and conflict – But with the over all concept, it doesn’t seem complete.

• I find that it lacks passion and doesn’t convey the spirit of the ancestors.

• No. Too minimal, looks like a giant grave.

• Terrible. Hate it. Cheap, impersonal, and shoddy, terrible, not close to a real memorial for anyone, not in any way a memorial to these people. It’s like a nice walkway.
• I would scrap it.

• No
• Not enough activity

• Yes. 1)Commanding for the size of the site. 2) Needs no explanation (or just a simple one) 3. love the fencing!
• Less trees. Site should not be hidden from outside view. No water. It freezes and/or gets dirty! Water in the fall & winter is not “inviting”

• [why not] I feel put at a distance as if I may not connect
• [keep] the trees, [change] too neatly planted, let nature in!

• This design does not give the best expression of an African Burial Ground Memorial
• The covered entrance is nice. Too much grass

• It’s a lawn surrounded by trees. Very economical but doesn’t stir any thoughts

• Yes, this will not have objects on or under it
• Keep all. Great job

• No. There is practically no interaction with the burial ground space
• [change] everything

• No. not enough reverence
• Add more spiritualism, change poles to bronze or metal African statues or figures

• Yes. This gives the sanctity of not placing foreign objects on top of burials
• No change

• No. It’s cold, flat, too modern. It looks like a bus stop

• No. Some elements would remind people of the slave ships

• Nice try. Visually boring

• No.

• Very nice.

• Disconnected from African culture.
• [keep] None.

• Lacks excitement and focus.

• Yes.

• No too square and industrial.

• No, this is like a glorified bus terminal.

• Not especially. Looks like a bus stop

• No.

• No.

• No. Not telling the history of their underland, declared war waged on African men, women and children, unborn babies.
• All!!! “free at last” is totally untrue!!! We as a nation of Captive African Survivors are still not “free”, can’t never be in the house of captivity!!!

• No. Because the bus stops are just bus stops and it has stupid looking grass.
• A statue.

• No.

• No. The whole thing looks tacky. Poles are like prison.

• No. It doesn’t speak to me.

• This piece says nothing to me. It looks like a glorified bus stop.

• Too grassy. Too much involved.

• Little cold and distant. Quick and peaceful as well.
• Leave out the covered main entrance. Looks like a nice bus stop.

• No. It doesn’t get the message across.

• I like this one the best.

• Too clean looking- white cube doesn’t suit a burial site
• Keep the ocean like lawn.

• I like this design because it leaves open the sacred burial site- one can stand or sit and [look] over the grounds.
• I like the waterfall and covered main entrance.

• No. Not enough life.

• This is a place for reflection, family gatherings. A place where you want to be whenever there is a chance. The city will have many benefits for the people who want a place to go.

• has a good message.

• No. Too sterile- says nothing of the ancestors. Could pass for a bus stop.

• I do not feel this design is capturing the essence of the African Burial Ground site

• The elements is capturing the attention of the viewer/audience

• Yes. The burial ground site is left hallowed, but viewing is accessible. Yet the design emboldens symbolic elements fitting the purpose

• Like the sanctity of the ground, allows for reflection without trampling on the ground
• Use glass mosaic mural from DePace et.al.

• Yes, 2nd choice.
• More trees and benches to sit and reflect

• No, does not bring up emotions
• Keep interior grassy area

• No. Looks like a bus stop.

• Too simplistic for a memorial of this magnitude.


Responses submitted at the Federal Building, 290 Broadway
 
• Weak approach.

• Too accessible from street. Symbols can be damaged.

• No too modern. Does not connect the past.
• Would like benches or seats so one could come and reflect on the experience of the slaves.

• Yes, shows concept of burial mounds, like graves
• On-street panels are open to vandalism too much

• No—too empty

• It feels too cut-off from the public; not inviting enough
• [keep] the simplicity of the design

• Nice but too simplistic.

• No. Too boring & it doesn’t seem to provide any info at all.
• [Use?] the amount of green space in the middle and add something that would give info inside the site.

• 2nd choice. I like the fact that the ground is protected but I don’t like the fact that you have to view it from the sidewalk.

• No.

• No. Too simplistic.

• It is not. Too modern day, too contemporary. Needs more depth. It is not a park!!!
• I would not keep this design at all.

• I don’t think is it appropriate for the spirit and remains here. It looks a little too busy. It reminds me of a park per se the benches and too many trees. I do like the other aspects of what is supposed to be there.
• Remove the seating and less trees.

• No. Needs more narrative and area where coffins are located should be highlighted.
• Open space is a very good element.

• No. Too plain.

• Yes. Because no grave is ta[m]pered under it.

• Yes.

• The exhibit should be modified to inform the people. Since the community wanted it this should stay.
• Change : put up plaques explaining what happened. Keep the bodies covered.

• Too impersonal.

• Good for seating and unobstructed visibility.

• Looks like bus stop. Trees and grass over head and seats, picture of African map.

• Too plain, too covered up.
• [change] All

• Yes. Because it appears to be the only design which avoids having visitors walk atop the 419 graves.
• I like the African transatlantic slave trade exhibit on the outskirts. Well done.

• No. Disconnected to the ancestors.
• Change the seating area (width & size smaller).

• Yes (#1), simple design, appropriate for a memorial, and gathering place, seating area. Trees are placed in a good format for the burial ground.
• Waterfall – keep, rolling grass – change.

• No. There’s no way to go into the side.

• Yes.
• More seating, faces should be black, black, black.

• No. Too stark, no theme.

• No, because it lacks depth and the design is very basic.
• Would add more to the main ground and inscriptions to go along with photography.

• Yes, it allows reverence and interaction.
• It looks desolate. [change].

• No. Looks like a football Field, not enough durable materials, like stone.
• [keep] Water feature (symbol of life).

• I like the design.
• All elements are fine with me.

• No. Too inaccessible. Looks like a work in progress.
• Like the number of trees. Like photos and designs displayed on covered part of sidewalk.

• I like that it has water.
• Flags of African nations should be here (only African flags)

• No. It looks like a prison.
• [keep] None

• No. Design is too stark, does not depict the type of environment (lush landscape and ceremonial areas) that Africans came from.
• Would not consider this design.

• No. This is too plain, and boring. Looks like a sealed off grassy area.
• Needs lots of work. Trees, description of history of the burial ground. More, more, more. Needs a vision.

• No. The writer or descendent of the ancestors cannot touch the earth – only observe!?
• Keep trees, like the water.

• No. Nothing special, unimpressive.

• No. Too futuristic- no spiritual value. Nothing special.

• No, too bland. This is a burial ground not WTC.
• The outside informational murals are great.

• This design is not inviting. It is too close in, too starch. Not conclusive to quiet contemplation.
The wave design element is nice i.e. Passage. However, there is no life in this design.

• Too stark.

• Yes. Because it’s uncluttered and contusive to meditation.

• No. Seems incomplete-barren. Difficult to decide what is going on, no reference.
• Add more elements and images.

• No. It doesn’t show any representation of African culture. It has no prayer or contemplation spaces.
• I wouldn’t keep any of it. Don’t use this design, thanks.

• No. The design lacks focus.

• It is NOT appropriate due to its space. Lifeless design.
• It needs reflection of nature African culture that is more organic (i.e.: trees, plants, etc.) than a sterile futuristic structure.

• No. Because it is very plain and does not adequately represent the horrors that occurred on this site.
• I would make more references to the people and their contributions to this city, country, and world.

• No. It is too much like a prison which is what we are trying to avoid. It symbolizes despair.

• Yes. I like the waves of grass.
• It needs more water and the fence needs improving – it looks like a bus stop, not something artistic or incorporated in the design originally.

• This design is appropriate because it looks and feels like an African Burial Ground. The grass area looks natural. The burial ground is open to fresh air, rain, and snow. The African spirits are not sealed beneath the surface.

• Don’t like it.

• No. It doesn’t really capture the feeling of the ancestors.
• Make the scenery more friendly and cultural.

• No. Does not give the feeling of welcome, invite and warmth. Overly simplistic to represent such a profound memorial. Not “personal” enough.
• I would change everything. It reminds me of a bus terminal.

• Okay. Looks like a large bus shelter. Not very interactive with the public.
• It needs lots of written explanation to accompany it.

• No sense of peace.

• There’s no visible history or African symbols of the ancestors. This design is too plain and does not have the detail our ancestors deserve.
• No comment.

• No, has appearance of [a] bus stop

• Good. It has a reflective pool

• Yes, this is the best I saw. Recalls that this is a cemetery first and foremost

• [change] none

• Not—too exposed

• Very appropriate; like how [it] incorporates Federal Building 290 Broadway. Natural aspect enclosed, not stepping on top of the deceased, sheltered arcade for information.

• I did not like this because I didn’t understand it.

• No. Looks like a bus stop next to a stadium—no access to the ancestors—too sculpted.

• No—seems uninspired, lacking access to the site.

• Yes. It has depth

• I prefer 2 designs for the interior and exterior of the African Burial Ground—The McKissack & McKissack glass wall design with overhead arched roof for the exterior sidewalk on the Duane Street side of the ABG.
• The interior design of the McKissack design should be eliminated. It’s too abstract. The exterior design is essential to inform the onlookers what the memorial is about. This will attract the average onlooker who, not knowing what the memorial is about, would normally bypass the memorial. In addition, this would inform the onlooker about the memorial which will provide enough general information to decide whether they would like to enter the burial ground.

• No—too void of statement. Needs more systems of ‘comments of honor, etc.’ to the ancestors. No place to sit in prayer and reflection
• I like the wall of recognition. I’d put it along the back of the park and do more with the rest of the space.

• No. The front of this design looks like a bus stop, and the inside looks like a pasture to take farm animals to graze.

• Too sterile / open space is good but there needs to be places for remembrances.
• Trees are important keep these plants, flowers, natural elements – needed places to sit are good.

• No, not enough feeling – doesn’t show a representation for what the monument is.

• No. The interior design does not reflect warmth or heritage of the ancestors who are buried here.
• [change or keep?] The outside of the memorial.

• The reality is that the designers had invested all in their previous slave ship / horror ride design so this is an effort to salvage, but what we see is an underdeveloped site that resembles an intermodal transfer site who in their right mind would come here to reflect. This is a place to walk by.
• The bars imprison the site. The green walks do not relieve the sense of failure that permeates this design.

• No. It is lifeless and boring.
• Wouldn’t keep anything.

• Not, because there is no details
• [keep] The fencing (clear) where people could see without bars

• No—because it’s just to be viewed, not interacted with. Boring ripples with no reference
• Good signage

• Not really. The surroundings are fine but the overall design could use work. The burial ground looks like a football field. Where is the heritage?

• Yes, an African symbol
• Keep

• No, too boring! Not inviting. The shed/exhibit keeps people outside on sidewalk

• No. Grass is nice. Covered areas look too much like a bus stop

• No. Too stark and empty. Looks like a wavy football field.

• No. It attempts to blend into the adjacent building at 290Broadway too much, instead of being a stand-alone location.
• The outer panel concept is good. I don’t care for the landscaping of the grass.

• It’s OK, just a bit sterile—doesn’t evoke any special feelings or connections to Africa

• No, nothing specific about Africans

• No—This will not stand the test of time

• Yes.
• [keep] the covered main entrance and glass display panels

• Not good
• [keep] None

• No—minimal access to the site
• Move the exhibits onto the site. Site can not be used for sacred events. Displays might be subject to vandalism.

• Looks like a bus terminal; truly banal
• The prison yard formations are bad

• Yes
• [keep?]Grass area

• Too simple, although universal in it’s appeal.
• Inset: move into actual site; interferes with sidewalk traffic. P.A. area requires more means of egress. Open up an area of contemplation. Easy to maintain.

• Looks like an odd playing field

• Yes, but I am concerned that it does not say much. It is simply a wall between the passersby and the grounds. I do not like it a whole lot.

• I like the simplicity of the “rolling” vegetation but think the street side structures are barriers. They need to be removed to open up the memorial site.
• Move some version of street-side structures to the other side adjacent to the building.


Responses submitted at Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center,
Staten Island:
 
• No. Not enough historical information and no visual reference.

• It is appropriate for such a site
• Keep all

• No. Fence surrounding design is too much like a construction site
• The outer fence I would change

• No, there is no gathering space. It doesn’t make me want to stay and reflect

• Yes. simple and complementary of the surroundings
• [keep or change?] Both the walkways and the water

• Not enough interaction / people on outside looking in [2nd place]

• Yes, it is very simple and dignified, and fits in the surroundings
I like how the walkways are incorporated into the design

• No, looks like a terminal
• [keep] none

• Design is not appropriate
• [keep] none

• No, don’t use whole space—gotta expect lots of people to visit
• Get rid of fountain

• Yes, this is the best, most consistent design
• [keep] Simplicity appealing; others too cluttered

• No, looks like some type of bus terminal waiting area.


Responses submitted at Brooklyn Historical Society:
 
• No, I don’t like any of it—it looks like a glorified bus terminal

• Not an appropriate design because it is not open enough
• Less flowing grass

• Total lack of passion

• No, again, this plan does not “feel” like Africa, nor that people of African descent are buried there. The glass paneling along-side of the site reminds me of an airport corridor. It gives no resemblance of a sacred space.

• Change; entire design was [sic] as hard; cold. No culture of an African people were seen

• No. too basic, too simple

• No. too industrial looking

• Don’t like

• Too modern and uniform
• Keep grassy mounds

• No—I don’t see how the rolling lawn can be useful to people gathering there. It’s just a green area without proper care would be a large brown spot behind a fence. The street panels block the view inside. Water elements are usually broken in most city parks—freezing and plumbing pipe problems.

• This is the design I like least. It does not use space well and calls for a narrow sidewalk which [nothing further]

• Yes (somewhat spare though) very simple/green area/open area
• Seated area keep; more elements of remembrance needed.

• I like the lack of imposing structure on this—the only thing I’d change is the shape of the covered main entrance.

• Too simplistic

• It is OK. I would not choose this design because I’m not getting a strong feeling from it.
• I like the wave effect of the grass. It simulates the waves of the ocean the slaves had to cross.

• No. It reminds me of a mere open space with grass and a fence. It is too urban.

• No, because it looks like any other city block. No cultural significance.
• Incorporate some cultural symbols that relate to slavery.

• No, it is too simplistic and does not evoke anything solemn.

• No, looks like a greenhouse for grass; no feeling of connection to the motherland (Africa)

• This design is very inappropriate. It shows not one ounce of slavery. It is a weak design that covers up my history, a façade
• There is just too much cement in these designs. There should be a real grass, real flowers that bloom and die in its season. Flowing waters.

• No.

• No--boring!

• No, I don’t like the design…the walkways look dark and uninviting

• Doesn’t quite catch the full depth of its meaning.


Responses submitted at Bronx Community College:
 
• No

• No, It doesn’t look like a site for a memorial
• I’d change everything

• I would like more explanation—if given—perhaps if all the bidders were allowed to see each other’s exhibits? Interesting—What is written on glass panels? What is meaning of vertical posts.


Responses submitted at Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center, Queens:
 
• No connection

• NO. It looks like a bus station
• I would change EVERYTHING!!!!

• Well currently as a 5th year design student @ NYIT, their presentation was poor in my opinion it shows no passion behind their work and that they are just looking for a check.
• None, not a favorable design. It could be because of poor communication of design sketches and/or sequences.

• It is only a memorial site. It is not imaginative to my thinking (?)
• Needs to be more dramatic in design and capture everyone’s attention.

• Too plain; no written or pictorial information about the burial ground.
• A memorial garden. Information about burial ground placed outside the memorial so strangers would know what it represents.

• Not sure. Will there be any narrative or information about ABG engraved on the grass Perimeter as in the map?
• Without information it seems unfinished.

• Looks like a bus stop!

• No. It is too plain and reminds me of a glorified bus stop
• I would change it all!

• Yes. The design is beautiful and the idea of not treading on the actual burial site is very honorable.
• Adding a bit more space for seated contemplation would be nice.

• It looks like a bus shelter or entrance to a train station
• Change everything!

• Not strong enough
• Too parkish


Electronic Responses:
 
• No. Do not like it at all. Not impressive. Don’t like it.

• No. I don’t think is original enough. It reminds me of the Arlington Cemetery wall. There are good ideas about the journey of the Africans to the slave ship to America. The information is precise but the structure is ok.

• No. I think that the first thing you see is rolling hills, America isn’t supposed to have rolling hills. Just that element alone makes me not want to see the rest of it.
• Change everything.

• No. This design did not evoke or engage elements of the past so it did not meet the overall image for the concept.
• Keep none.