Grantsville veterans committee seeks $80,000 from city for phase 1 of memorial park construction

The Grantsville Veterans Memorial Park Committee requested $80,000 from the city's park-tax fund on Feb. 19 to support phase 1 construction of a veterans memorial park.

Casey Foster, chair of the committee, told the council the committee has conducted design work and fundraising since a kickoff on May 29, 2023, and that it has raised just over $447,000 to date. "In a year and 7 months, through various fundraising efforts, we have received just over $447,000," Foster said. The committee said it owes engineering fees that will leave approximately $18,531 on hand before the city contribution.

Foster said phase 1 will focus on subsurface electrical work, underground utilities, concrete pads and flagpoles; phase 2 would include walls and benches and phase 3 would include landscaping and a statue. "We don't have an exact cost estimate for phase 1," Foster told the council, "however, with your assistance, the help of in-kind donations, and continued fundraising efforts, we will accomplish this goal."

A council member asked whether the committee had construction drawings; Foster said they had just received final construction documents and planned to put the work out for bids and requests for proposals. Multiple councilors and residents in the meeting praised the committee's volunteer work and the design, which the committee said was created locally by a veteran.

The council did not record a vote on the request during the presentation. Foster asked for questions and left time for the council to review the construction documents and financial details.

Why it matters: The committee presents a near-term request that would accelerate on-site construction of a civic memorial. The committee reported most of the project financing is private or donated; the $80,000 request would be paid from local park-tax funds if the council approves it.