Twenty years ago, then Virginia governor L. Douglas Wilder announced that he would build a $100M US Slavery Museum. Ten years ago, The Silver Companies, a real estate firm, donated 38 acres of prime land near Interstate 95 in Fredericksburg. Pei Partnership Architects spent more than $5M on building design.

So what’s happening now? The city filed a lien against the land for $300,000 of  unpaid back taxes. Pei filed a lien on the land for the full fee amount. The Museum filed for bankruptcy, then rescinded their request. Their webpage looks like it’s been co-opted by some attorneys writing about business law and lawyer marketing.  To make matters worse, the donated land has a restriction that requires it to be used for a museum.

It’s a shame that such a noble project has been so mismanaged. I understand that when an innovative project begins, it’s impossible to delineate all the challenges. It takes a certain leap of faith to move any project forward. But that faith needs to be backed up with intense budgeting, scheduling, and management. It’s the difference between a black eye and a feather in one’s cap. As an aside, does anyone besides my son recognize that last reference?