By Bruce Karnick

[email protected]

Building Remembrance for Reconciliation (BR4R) is working with the City of Hastings to create a dedicated art space along the Mississippi River Front in Levee Park. If approved by city council, the permanent space will be located straight down from the American Legion along the trail.

BR4R is a local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to using history and the arts to remember, reconcile and heal. Their belief is that telling the truth about the past helps create racial and economic justice in the present.

From their website, www.br4r.org Building Remembrance for Reconciliation is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to creating a more welcoming and inclusive community. Building Remembrance for Reconciliation was originally organized by community member Rich Manke whose work at Lakeside Cemetery piqued his interest in Hastings early Black settlers, many of whom were buried there, and this led to discovering Hastings has a notable Black history.

However, like many communities in our state and nation, the story is complex and often incomplete. Building Remembrance for Reconciliation members have endeavored to learn more about Hastings’ past and create awareness of the contributions and trials of this important historic Black community.

As an organization, Building Remembrance for Reconciliation members continue to learn, discover, and dissect Hastings Black history through research and education, as well as members’history and stories. Heidi Langenfeld, local historian, has provided volumes of information and articles from research in the Hastings Pioneer Room and past issues of Hastings’ early newspapers. And, Building Remembrance for Reconciliation has also been fortunate to connect with and learn from the descendants of some of Hastings early Black families.

Early in 2022, BR4R applied for a grant from the newly established Community Investment Fund from the City of Hastings. The Community Investment Fund is focused on partnerships and civic engagement with a goal of creating and supporting vibrant, communitysupported, public projects and efforts within city properties including parks.

The $10,000 grant was approved on May 2 and BR4R has been working with Hastings Parks and Recreation director Chris Jenkins to find a suitable location for the permanent art installation. In an email to Director Jenkins and the City Council, BR4R summarized their goals.

BR4R’s goal is to develop an art piece to be permanently displayed, and they are using the charette process to accomplish this goal. The first suggestion for a permanent art installation is the dedicated space, designed and intended for art installations at Levee Park. This space has played host to numerous temporary art pieces since construction was completed, and there is currently one piece installed. Representatives of BR4R agree this is the most desired location for a permanent art installation.

The space in question is an area approximately 37’ x 20’ along the trail below the American Legion patio. The direction for the art installation is that it must not interfere with the area businesses or the trail, including impeding on the sight lines.

The request for the approval of the land use was on the City Council agenda Monday night. It was discussed immediately after consent agenda by council with information provided by Director Jenkins. After receiving some clarity and discussions around the positive impact this will have, the request was approved. That means that BR4R can begin working with Director Jenkins to transform the requested 700plus square foot space into an art space for all to enjoy.

To learn more about the Building Remembrance for Reconciliation group, visit www.br4r.org

The proposed area for the art space is just below the American Legion deck and memorial wall. Currently, the area is used as a temporary art space as well as picnic area. The exact amount of space will be determined by City Council. Photo by Bruce Karnick