Plans for Construction in Monroe Park Causes Tension

By Junelynn Tran



Monroe Park, located in Richmond’s Fan district, has been used since the mid-19th Century. Originally, it was used as the state agricultural fairground site and now serves as an assembly ground for drifters and homeless people. The City of Richmond is looking to give the park an upgrade but it is causing a stir with some.

It is hard to pass by Monroe Park on Sundays and not notice homeless relief groups giving out food and clothes. But all that may change in the upcoming year. Monroe Park plans to revamp its image by spending $6.2 million to reconstruct paths and add new park amenities, such as moveable chess tables and a stage area.

Alice Massie, President of the Monroe Park Advisory Council, says the goal is to restore the park’s original layout while modernizing it to appeal to VCU students and other visitors.

“The projected changes are based on safety, for all public,” said Massie. “Students, citizens, neighbors, those that are handicap accessible needed and the average student who wants to cruise through the park.”

While the city has received positive feedback from the general public in regards to the renovation, it is the homeless and the homeless relief groups that volunteer in Monroe Park that have the most opposition. Monroe Park will be under construction for at least nine month, which begs the question - what will the homeless and volunteers do now?

Wendell Joyner, a volunteer from the Future Church of Christ, said it would become difficult to find the homeless if they have no where else to go.

Massie agrees that this will cause some challenges for the homeless, but the City of Richmond is looking at alternatives. Massie says they are “working to be proactive” to help the people recognize their options to get a meal, fresh water and other amenities.

Food Not Bombs, a volunteer homeless relief group, has been feeding people in Monroe Park for 16 years. A volunteer from the organization said that closing down the park for nine months is “unacceptable and unfair” to the homeless.

Massie points out that the upgrades are for all people.

“It is for anyone that wants to enjoy the outdoors,” said Massie. “So whether you are a retired man who wants to play chess or a student who wants to study with a group or sunbathe or play any kind of casual sport or if you’re family and you want to have a picnic. It should be for anybody in the city of Richmond.”

Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in spring 2011.