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Nonprofit and Friends group seek $800,000 BIPOC preservation grant to restore Evans/Caretaker's Cottage in Washington Park
Summary
Christiansburg Institute and Friends of Washington Park told council they are applying for a National Trust BIPOC grant (full application due May 23) to stabilize and rehabilitate the antique caretaker's cottage. Presenters asked for city support letters and described a phased exterior‑first campaign estimated at about $800,000.
Christiansburg Institute representatives and Friends of Washington Park updated the Roanoke City Council on May 19 about a grant application to restore the historic caretaker’s cottage in Washington Park and requested city support for the effort.
Chris Sanchez of the Christiansburg Institute said the organization has submitted a full application to the National Trust for Historic Preservation BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) grant program; the grant application is due May 23, 2025. Sanchez said the group is targeting the $800,000 award level, and that recent contractor discussions suggest $800,000 “could restore the interior and exterior” to a weather‑tight “white box” condition.
Britney Flowers, identified as a public historian, framed the structure as an antebellum building with a layered history: “This structure was built in 1837, likely by enslaved labor, and today stands as 1 of Roanoke City's last remaining antebellum buildings,” she said, and she documented enslaved people associated with the property in 1840s deed records.
Friends of Washington Park volunteer Kathy Carter described community engagement plans and near‑term events, including a June 26 lecture and July 4/5 commemorations tied to the park’s centennial history. Carter said community surveys and meetings have identified preferred uses—educational programming, small meeting space and recreation programming aligned with Parks and Recreation—but that the final adaptive reuse will be decided in collaboration with the city and neighborhood residents.
Council members questioned specifics: Sanchez said the cottage is about 925 square feet, is two stories, and that “we are going for the $800,000 level” of grant funding. On funding sources, presenters noted a multi‑stream financing strategy that could include preservation grants, historic tax credits and grassroots fundraising; Sanchez said Christiansburg Institute had raised “over $1,617,000” to support initial work and soft costs (presentation text). Council members asked how long the community has pressed for action and who would maintain operations; presenters said the building is city property and that operational models (city-operated, nonprofit-operated or partnership) would be part of post‑award planning and the required charrette.
Several council members expressed support for moving the grant application forward and for continuing city‑nonprofit collaboration. No formal vote was required or taken at the meeting; staff confirmed the city manager had provided a letter of support that will accompany the application.
