Page "General Services Administration" Paragraph 5

In July 1991, GSA contractors began the excavation of what is now the Ted Weiss Federal Building in New York City.

The planning for that building did not take into account the possibility of encountering the historic cemetery for colonial-era African New Yorkers that was located beneath the footprint of the $ 276-million-dollar office building.

When initial excavation disturbed burials, destroying skeletons and artifacts, GSA sent archaeologists to excavate — but hid their findings from the public.

Revelation of the discoveries led to 18 months of activism by African-descendant community members, public officials, academics, and concerned citizens.

Ultimately, GSA made public amends by funding extensive scientific research under the auspices of Dr. Michael Blakey ; creating a new subagency, the Office of Public Education and Interpretation ; truncating the building plan ; and funding public reports on the story of the African Burial Ground.

The efforts led to the creation of a new unit of the National Park Service, The African Burial Ground National Monument, at the facility.

GSA fully funded that portion of the National Park Service until 2010, when GSA's formal involvement with the African Burial Ground ceased.