Community dialogue begins conversation on gentrification in Church Hill

A standing-room-only crowd came out last night for the community dialogue Addressing the Changes in Church Hill, facilitated by Hope in the Cities, sponsored by the University of Richmond, and organized by Laura Browder and Patricia Herrera.

A 4-person panel of Evrim Dogu (owner of Sub Rosa), Sally Schwitters (Executive Director of Tricycle Gardens), Del. Delores McQuinn (former 7th District schoolboard/councilwoman), and attorney John L. Taylor III, took questions about their connection to the area, Church Hill memories, and take on the changes in neighborhood. The audience was also encouraged to participate in the conversation, with a notable comment on the impact of economic disparity by Ben Campbell

The evening was a gentle first step in what could be an ongoing public conversation. On a topic with few absolutes and narratives that can be in conflict, getting this many interested neighbors talking and listening together could have meaningful resonance.

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Addressing the Changes in Church Hill (1 of 5)

Intro; meet the panel; Taylor on positives and challenges of Church Hill

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Addressing the Changes in Church Hill (2 of 5)

McQuinn, Schwitters, Dogu on positives and challenges of Church Hill; Taylor’s oldest story about Church Hill; McQuinn on tensions that need to be addressed

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Addressing the Changes in Church Hill (3 of 5)

Schwitters, Dogu on how to cross neighborhood divides; audiance stories of older Church Hill; Ben Campbell on economic divide

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Addressing the Changes in Church Hill (4 of 5)

History Harvest for Made in Church Hill; one woman’s story, the hidden history of the neighborhood; Cynthia Newbille; Schwitters on change; Dogu explains his pricing

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Addressing the Changes in Church Hill (5 of 5)

Dogu explains his pricing (continued); thank you