Former Lee statue site gains 6,000 plants and 28 trees

The revitalized circle on Monument Avenue is 99% complete.

More than 6,000 plants and 28 trees were installed in the Richmond space that was once the home of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, with only a small portion of the landscaping project left to go.

The last major step of the updated circle at the intersection of Monument and Allen avenues is the removal of the barriers and fencing. Gianni Snidle, a spokesperson for Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, said that step could come as soon as this week. This drone photo was taken Thursday.

“The plants and trees are in pretty good shape,” said Earl Gary, whose Black-owned company, YME Landscape, was tasked with beautifying the nearly one-acre round patch of land.

It has been a long journey for the circle at the intersection of Monument and Allen avenues, with further evolution to potentially follow. The former Lee Circle served as a major hub for protesters in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Eventually, the Virginia Department of General Services installed concrete barricades in June 2020 and 8-foot fences in January 2021 around the circle. State officials said the barriers were put in place to protect the safety of demonstrators as well as of the Lee statue.

A foundation tied to the family of Bill Goodwin is planning to build a tennis training and development center in the West Creek business park in eastern Goochland County.

After protests over the statue, the state removed it in September 2021 and took down its pedestal three months later. Ownership of the circle was then transferred to Richmond, placing the onus on the city to decide on the future of the then-barren site.

Last October, the Planning Commission approved a temporary landscaping plan despite objections from the Urban Design Committee. The city said that to ensure worker safety, the fencing would not be removed until the plan was completed.

YME Landscape is waiting on the barriers to be removed so that the crew can make final touch-ups such as re-mulching the edges. Gary said the underside of the barriers could reveal graffiti and debris that need to be cleaned up as well.

Gary

“I’m really not involved on that end,” Gary said. “I’m just kind of monitoring whatever they need me to do, and then I’ll come in and do my last little bit.”

Throughout this spring and summer, YME Landscape has endured the ups and downs of handling a large number of plants. The crew ran into occasional floral hurdles like plant shrinkage and watering issues, but Gary said it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“With 6,000 plants, you have 6,000 personalities,” Gary said. “With the sprinkler system, I had to work out the kinks. It takes a while to get everything to line up and settle in, just normal stuff.”

Landscaping work at the former site of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's statue on Monument Avenue in Richmond is nearly complete, according to Earl Gary, owner of YME Landscape. The company has been working at the site since May. This drone photo was taken Thursday.

The plants and trees remain the only planned features of the spruced-up site. No lights, benches or walking paths are in the works, making the space more of a botanical garden for floral gazing than walking.

The last major step of the updated circle is the removal of the barriers and fencing. Gianni Snidle, a spokesperson for Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, said that step could come as soon as this week.

In the meantime, members of the YME Landscape team say they’re looking toward to getting out of the sun that has beat down during a brutal summer.

“It was hot out there, I ain’t gonna lie,” Gary said. “But we had a tent, so we just kind of worked under there and drank Gatorade, just trying to stay as hydrated as possible.”

The Robert E. Lee Statue makes its way down moment avenue on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

A pedestal sits empty after the Robert E. Lee Statue was taken down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Community members watch as crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Deja Spicely watches as crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

A person watches as crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday.

Crews take the Robert E. Lee statue down on Sept. 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. It was dedicated in 1890.

Lightening strikes behind a pedestal where Robert E. Lee sat since 1890 on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal.

Lightening strikes behind an empty pedestal where Robert E. Lee sat since 1890 on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal.

A woman waves as crews take away the Robert E. Lee Statue down moment avenue on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Kate Fowler makes prints as crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890. The print said "Giddy Up Loser."

Bee The Gardner watches as crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

A pedestal where Robert E. Lee sat since 1890 sits empty on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal.

Crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Ryshawn Lee Taylor Richardson watches as Crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Community members raise their fists as crews take the Robert E. Lee Statue down on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Workmen begin removal of the plaques on the side of the pedestal after the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

A workman uses an electric saw to cut the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee after it was removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue. The statue was cut into two pieces for easier transport.

The statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is guided by workmen after it was removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue.

The bottom part of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is placed on a trailer after being cut from the rest of the sculpture following removal from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

The top half of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is moved by a crane after being cut from the rest of the sculpture after removal from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue.

The lower part remained after the top half of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was cut off and moved by a crane after removal from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue.

The top half of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, left, is moved by a crane after being cut from the rest of the sculpture, right, following removal from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. A ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowed for removal of the statue.

Watching as the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in Richmond, VA are, from left, Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, Virginia First Lady Pam Northam and state Senator Mamie Locke, D-Hampton.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, left, and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, right, arrived at the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee before it was removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue. Stony had removed the other Confederate statues on Monument Avenue, but Lee was on state, not city property. Northam had vowed to take the Lee statue down and after a lengthy court appeal process, accomplished his promise.

The statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue.

People crowded barriers to watch as the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue.

The statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is prepared for removal from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal.

The statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was removed from its pedestal on Monument Avenue on Wednesday.

The feencing around the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee appears to make an X as it was removed from its pedestal on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 following a ruling by the Virginia State Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, allowing for the removal of the statue.

Tim Smith, of Washington, DC sketches before the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Onlookers gather in the public viewing area to watch the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Gary Flowers, host of The Gary Flowers Show, a radio show in Richmond, VA, has someone snap a photo with his phone after the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Onlookers were kept behind barricades as the statue erected to honor Robert E. Lee was removed from Monument Ave. in Richmond, Va. on Wed. Sept 8, 2021

The bottom half of the Lee statue is loaded onto a flatbed truck on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Rig Mading, of Stafford, attends the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

The bottom half of the Lee statue is loaded onto a flatbed truck on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

The statue of Robert E. Lee is removed from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Crews prep the statue of Robert E. Lee for removal from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. is lifted in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

One of spectators holds a Black Lives Matter flag as Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. is removed in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews work on removing Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews work on cutting the top part of Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

The top part of Robert E. Lee statue is lifted on Monument Ave. in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews work on cutting the top part of Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. is removed from a pedestal in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

"I've never thought I would see this day," says Amanda Lynch of Richmond as she witnesses the removal of Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. is lifted in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

(From left) Raymond McCoy, Muhammad Abdul-Rahman, and Andrew Horton, all of Richmond, pose with borrowed flags for a photo just before the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Onlookers attend the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Councilman Michael Jones Richmond City Council 9th District speaks to the media after the statue of Robert E. Lee is removed from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Onlookers document the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Dr. Kenneth Warren Foster and his son Xavier Foster, 6, of Richmond, attend the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Foster noted that, aside from recognizing "the removal of racist symbols," his son is the sixth generation in his family to witness the statue. His ancestor Jack Foster lived in Richmond when the statue was originally unveiled.

The statue of Robert E. Lee is removed from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Crews begin cutting the Lee statue into pieces to be transported away from Monument Avenue in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews work on the Lee statue after it was removed from its pedestal in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

The Lee statue is on the ground after being removed from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

The statue of Robert E. Lee is removed from its pedestal in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Crews begin removing the Lee statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews start to remove the Lee statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Gov. Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam were on hand to watch the removal of the Lee statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews begin removing the Lee statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crowds watch the Lee statue being removed from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews begin removing the Lee statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crowds wait to get in to watch the removal of the Lee statue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

Crews begin removing the Lee statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

A crowd gathers to watch the Lee statue come down in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

A man ascends to the Lee statue on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

The Lee statue seen on on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

Crews prepare to remove the Lee statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021.

The Lee statue seen on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The 21-foot bronze statue weighs 12 tons and is on top of a 40-foot granite pedestal. It was dedicated in 1890.

The Lee Circle on Wednesday morning as seen on the left, and afternoon on the right.

Thad Green (804) 649-6023

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