Phase One of the Wrightsville Revitalization Project began Monday. Representatives from Hammond and Mitchell began the infrastructure part of this five-phase project, beginning on Coleman Street.
“This part of the project will include installing new pipes, correcting water drainage issues, and paving new roads,” said Wrightsville resident, Deloris Quarles, who has been involved in the process since its inception in 2017. “I had a thought and the community got together and turned it into a reality to preserve and revitalize Wrightsville,” said Quarles of the genesis for the project.
Alleghany County government officials and the residents of Wrightsville formed a partnership to make an application to the Department of Housing and Community Development to request a Community Development Block Group to revitalize this African American Community. “It takes a village,” said Quarles.
Quarles also credits former Clifton Forge Town Manager Darlene Burcham, who had already secured one of these grants for the Town of Clifton Forge, with helping the partners secure the $1.4 million dollar grant. “Ms. Burcham met with us on her own personal time to make sure we checked all of the boxes and crossed all of the tees before we submitted the application,” said Quarles.
Wrightsville was established in 1867 by former slaves Archie and Mary Wright and is still the only surviving African American community in Alleghany County. However, over the years many residents died off and moved away, leaving about eleven families in the community, to date.
“With the return to Wrightsville by the late Dr. Calvin McClinton in the mid-2000s, after many years away, and his annual Wrightsville Renewal Festivals, the Wrightsville Heritage Museum, and the operation of the Golden Arrow Plaza, it seemed like a good time to try to revitalize the community,” said Quarles.
Quarles hopes the completed project will make “Wrightsville a tourist location, that it will attract new families to the area, and maybe bring some families back home. We have already lost five community members since the start of the project, so time is ticking,” said Quarles in conclusion.
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