CHARLESTON’S AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM HOLDS GRAND OPENING

By Rosaland Tyler

Associate Editor New Journal and Guide

In Charleston, history shifted gears and accelerated at the recent June 24 grand opening of the International African American Museum located at Gadsden’s Wharf, an historic 2.3 acre South Carolina waterfront port where most Blacks in shackles first set foot on American soil. But this time, the footsteps that crossed the worn but refurbished wooden planked wharf belonged to Congressman James E. Clyburn, Mayor John Tecklenburg, the Rev. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va, and “BeBe” Winans, who offered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Michelle and Barack Obama offered recorded remarks, projected onto a large video display behind the makeshift stage. State Rep. J.A. Moore welcomed visitors

“As Maya Angelou would say if she were here today, it is a morning we have never seen before, and it is a morning we will never have again.” said keynote speaker Johnnetta B. Cole, an anthropologist, educator and former president of Spelman and Bennett colleges.

Organizers raised $120 million over a span of two-decades to build the 150,000-square-foot (14,000-square-meter) museum. It features nine galleries that contain nearly a dozen interactive exhibits of more than 150 historical objects and 30 works of art. One of the museum’s exhibits will rotate two to three times each year.

“This is a place that will tell a story of trauma,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, the museum’s chief executive officer. “This is also a place that will tell stories of joy.”

The program was emceed by award-winning actress and director Phylicia Rashad and included stirring appearances by poet Nikky Finney and the McIntosh County Shouters, who perform songs passed down by enslaved African Americans.

“There’s something incredibly significant about reclaiming a space that was once the landing point, the beginning of a horrific American journey for captured Africans,” said Malika Pryor, the museum’s chief learning and education officer.

Fun Puzzle For Your Leisure

Hundreds of school and tour groups have already made reservations to visit the facility that features landscapes designed by Walter Hood, founder and creative director of Oaklandheadquartered Hood Design Studios.

The new museum in Charleston joins the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture which is located in the nation’s capital and opened in 2016. Officials at both museums said they aim to offer an accurate account of history.

Invitation For Bids

INVITATION FOR BIDS PR2062-062-23

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority will receive bids for the “NRHA-Partrea Mid-Rise Hot Water Boiler Replacements/Hunter Square Stack Replacement.”

The scope of work includes all supervision, labor, material, and equipment necessary to complete the PARTREA HOT WATER BOILER REPLACEMENTS and Hunter Square Boiler Stack Replacement at – Partrea Mid-Rise 701 Easy Street, Norfolk VA 23505 and Hunter Square Mid-Rise, 825 Goff Street, Norfolk VA 23504. The work for this project includes but not limited to replacing existing high efficiency hot water boilers and Kelly Boiler stack at Hunter Square MidRise. Also including items listed in the project scope of work section.

A pre-bid meeting will be conducted on July 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM starting at Partrea Mid-Rise 701 Easy Street, Norfolk VA 23505 (outside main entrance). All prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to attend.

Please contact Randy Hill - NRHA Senior Construction Project Manager at (rhill@nrha.us) for any related questions. All questions must be received by 11:00 AM July 21, 2023.

Sealed Bids will be received, publicly opened and read aloud on July 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM local prevailing time at the office of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, 910 Ballentine Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia.

Contract documents will be available for review by appointment only at the NRHA Office of Economic Opportunities, Calvert Square Envision Center, 975 Bagnall Road, Norfolk, VA (please call (757)314-2026 to schedule); Builders and Contractors Exchange, Norfolk, VA; and on the Virginia Procurement Website (www.eva.virginia.gov). A thumb drive will be available from NRHA, 910 Ballentine Blvd., Norfolk, VA for the non-refundable price of twelve dollars (Company Check Only).

NRHA does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, disability, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status in the admission, access to or operations of programs, services or activities. Small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities and Section 3 certified businesses are encouraged to respond.

Request For Qualifications

Request For Qualifications

CONTRACT ID #: C00122982DB125

00286-029-489, P101, R201, C501 FAIRFAX COUNTY PARKWAY WIDENING

SOUTHERN SEGMENT DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking Statements of Qualifications for Fairfax County Parkway Widening Southern Segment Design-Build Project from qualified and experienced respondents with design and construction experience of highway facilities. The Project, located in Fairfax County, Virginia, will widen Fairfax County Parkway from four lanes to six lanes from 0.11 miles south of Route 123 (Ox Road) to 0.25 miles south of Nomes Court for approximately 1.79 miles. The Project includes the widening of the bridges over Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSRR)/Fairfax Station Road and the widening of the bridges over Popes Head Creek. The project also includes intersection improvements, modified signals, and a shared-use path along Fairfax County Parkway to provide better bicyclist and pedestrian access. The proposed project objectives include improving capacity, reducing congestion, improving safety, pedestrian/bicycle accommodations, and improving drainage facilities within the project limits. The work includes but is not limited to: roadway design, structure and bridge, survey, environmental, geotechnical, hydraulics and stormwater management, traffic control devices, landscaping, lighting, intelligent transportation systems, transportation management plan, right-of-way acquisition, utility adjustments/relocations, construction, public involvement/relations and stakeholder coordination, quality assurance and quality control, construction engineering and inspection, and overall project management.

Questions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Sudha Mudgade, PE, PMP, DBIA (Sudha.Mudgade@ vdot.virginia.gov).

Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found on Bid Express (bidexpress.com)

The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of nondiscrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.