Part of Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground officially designated as a cemetery

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The city-owned portion of the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground is now officially designated as a cemetery following a move by Richmond City Council on Tuesday. During its regularly-scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the council approved an ordinance that established the city-owned property at 1305 N. 5th Street as a cemetery. The Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground is a site of incredible importance for Black Virginians, as it was a significant burial ground between 1816 to 1879. It came after free Black Richmonders petitioned for a new cemetery due to worsening conditions at what is now known as the First Municipal African Cemetery. PREVIOUS: 'It's been erased,' Community engages in future of Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground By formally designating this parcel as a cemetery, the city aims to "preserve and maintain such parcel as a historic African American cemetery and public greenspace," according to the ordinance's text. The burial ground has been neglected for years. In addition, it has also been in the middle of a controversy between the city and the owner of a billboard that's placed on the property. With this move, it's possible that Lamar Advertising may have to remove the billboard.