Construction on NC Freedom Park Wrapping Up – INDY Week

Following 20 years of delaysand red tape, the construction of the first state monument for African Americans is almost complete.

North Carolina Freedom Park is under constructionon a one-acre site on Lane Street, located between the state legislature and the governor's mansion. It is the first monument on or nearthe Capitol grounds to honor Black North Carolinians.

The centerpiece of the park, a 40-foot-tall metal structure dubbed the Beacon of Freedom, was installedthis week after traveling to Raleigh from Denver, Colorado,where it was built.

The beacon will stand at the intersection of five walkways, to be inscribed with quotes fromBlack North Carolinians who fought for freedom. Each night, a beam of light from the beacon will illuminatethe park.

The design is the work oflegendary late architect Phil Freelon, who also led the design team for theMuseum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. The park was one of Freelon's last designs before he died in 2019 from ALS.

NCFreedom Parkwas first conceived in 2002, but it took two decadesand a lot of fundraisingfor the $4 million project to become a reality. Construction finally began last year and is expected to be complete in the coming months. A grand opening is set for 2023.

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Follow Staff Writer Jasmine Gallup on Twitter or send an email to jgallup@indyweek.com.

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Construction on NC Freedom Park Wrapping Up - INDY Week