Planning committee reports budget and size concerns for Veterans Memorial; staff to map possible locations

A committee member provided an update on Sept. 16 about the "Lost but Not Forgotten" Veterans Memorial planning effort, saying the planning committee is still deciding on scope and that budget and size concerns have slowed final decisions.

The presenter said meetings with artists and the planning committee are ongoing and that some proposed concepts — including one described as a 30‑foot circle — raise siting and budget questions. "Budget has become a concern," the presenter said, and the group discussed how available public space and dimensions will affect the final design and location.

Staff and committee members agreed that mapping candidate locations with precise dimensions would help the planning committee and artists refine proposals. Committee members asked staff (Alyssa and Cynthia were mentioned as potential contributors) to prepare site maps and dimensions for the areas being considered so the planning group can match design concepts to feasible sites.

Timeline: the committee is discussing a target of completing the memorial by Veterans Day 2026, but the presenter acknowledged that goal may be ambitious given the current budget and design uncertainties. No formal commitment of funds or contractor selections was made at the meeting.

Outcome: staff were asked to prepare maps and dimensional information for candidate memorial sites and to continue discussions with artists and the planning committee. Budget decisions remain pending.