Federal earmark supports stormwater upgrades in Richmond’s Shockoe Creek watershed

Federal lawmakers announced an $850,000 congressional earmark for stormwater management improvements in Richmond’s Shockoe Creek watershed, linking flood resilience investments with preservation efforts tied to the city’s historic Shockoe Project.

Mark Warner and Jennifer McClellan announced the funding during an event at Main Street Station, where the project’s Shockoe Institute is located.

The funding will support flood mitigation and groundwater protection measures in the flood-prone watershed, including drainage improvements and a buried concrete wall designed to protect the planned restoration of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail from groundwater intrusion. The site is part of a broader initiative to memorialize Richmond’s role in the domestic slave trade and create a national slavery museum.

Project leaders noted that recurring flooding poses challenges for both preservation and public access in the area, which sits at the base of Richmond’s largest watershed. McClellan said the stormwater investments are intended to help protect the long-term viability of the site and its educational mission.

The announcement also highlighted broader infrastructure funding concerns in Richmond, where officials continue to pursue additional federal support for aging water and stormwater systems. Warner said the city faces significant infrastructure costs and referenced ongoing disputes over previously approved federal infrastructure funding.