Title
To consent to Virginia Commonwealth University’s plan for the removal and relocation of the Howitzer Monument from the property being the triangular parcel bounded by Grove Avenue, North Harrison Street, and Park Avenue in the city of Richmond, and known as “Howitzer Park.”
Body
WHEREAS, by Ordinance No. 88-155-144, adopted June 13, 1988, the City of Richmond authorized the conveyance by deed of gift to the Commonwealth of Virginia, on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University, of the City-owned property being the triangular parcel bounded by Grove Avenue, North Harrison Street, and Park Avenue in the city of Richmond, and known as “Howitzer Park” (hereinafter referred to as “Howitzer Park”); and
WHERERAS, upon information and belief of the Council, Howitzer Park derived its name from the Howitzer Monument, which consisted of a statue and pedestal, erected in 1892 in honor of the Richmond Howitzers, an artillery unit mustered into the service of the Confederate States of America and serving for the duration of the American Civil War; and
WHEREAS, the conveyance of Howitzer Park to the Commonwealth of Virginia, on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University, authorized by Ordinance No. 88-155-144, adopted June 13, 1988, was conditioned, in part, on the requirement that if either the City of Richmond or Virginia Commonwealth University desired to remove and relocate the Howitzer Monument, such relocation could be undertaken only by mutual consent of the parties and at the expense of the requesting party; and
WHEREAS, the statue of the Howitzer Monument was toppled from its pedestal as a result of vandalism in 2020; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, Virginia Commonwealth University has requested the City’s consent to Virginia Commonwealth University’s plan for the removal and relocation of the Howitzer Monument; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, Virginia Commonwealth University has satisfied all of its obligations regarding Howitzer Park and removal of the Howitzer Monument further satisfies Virginia Commonwealth University’s obligations with respect to Howitzer Park and the Howitzer Monument; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, in removing the Howitzer Monument, Virginia Commonwealth University will continue to maintain Howitzer Park as a park; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, Virginia Commonwealth University will continue to be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of the Howitzer Monument; and
WHEREAS, the Council consents to Virginia Commonwealth University’s transfer of ownership of the Howitzer Monument to another party after its removal from Howitzer Park; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Richmond that the Council consent to Virginia Commonwealth University’s plan for the removal and relocation of the Howitzer Monument;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council hereby consents to Virginia Commonwealth University’s plan for the removal and relocation of the Howitzer Monument.