“Let’s not do the shake and bake that goes on here so often,” said Marty Jewell, a former city councilman and frequent community advocate. “The larger landmass that was overwhelmingly supported last time was the memorial park concept.”

So why, Jewell and others wondered, had that feedback not been incorporated into current planning and design work for the Devil’s Half Acre site?

Officials responded that they have contracted with SmithGroupJJR to develop a plan only for the half-acre site and that it’s too late to expand the project. On top of that, they said that funding is limited but that they view it as a seed project that could spark further investment and historical development.

Residents also questioned city officials about what they have tried to do to secure property in the area.

Downey and Jeannie Welliver, a city project manager, said the city has approached the major owner of undeveloped property in Shockoe Bottom, the Loving family, and has been informed that the land is not currently for sale or lease.

They said they have not considered using eminent domain and have not looked into development restrictions.