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Adelanto council backs exploring veterans/first-responder memorial and community art projects
Summary
Councilmembers directed staff to explore a veterans and first-responder memorial (including options to seek artifacts or a large iron monument) while also supporting community-driven murals and third‑space projects; residents urged that public-art investments prioritize local artists and neighborhood needs.
At its June 11 meeting the Adelanto City Council authorized staff to begin exploratory work on two related items: a veterans/first-responder memorial (the mayor pro tem suggested a large iron monument or a salvaged 9/11 beam as a focal point) and expanded community art initiatives such as murals and public-space activation.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Ramos opened the discussion describing several memorial concepts and funding approaches, including sponsorships and partnerships with local unions and businesses. “If we move in that direction…I’ve got a couple great ideas,” he said, asking staff to research how other cities acquired memorial artifacts and to begin outreach to potential funders.
Several residents and local artists urged the council to prioritize community-driven projects and to invest in neighborhood murals and third‑spaces rather than (or in addition to) a single large monument. “Bring the community more involved,” said a local artist, arguing that murals and artist-led projects can be lower-cost, create gathering places, and directly engage youth. Others emphasized the city’s iron-related history — speakers described E.H. Richardson’s role in developing early electric irons and the city’s origin story — and said a large iron sculpture would honor local heritage.
Councilmembers repeatedly said both aims could be pursued: preserving or celebrating Adelanto’s iron history while funding community art and pocket parks. The council asked staff to identify possible locations (including City Hall, welcome corridors on Highway 395, and the proposed civic center) and to engage local ironworkers, precast/concrete firms, and artists. A motion directing staff to begin research and outreach was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.
What’s next: Staff will research potential locations, funding sources and vendor/union partnerships, and return to council with options for how to proceed with memorial design and community-art programming.
