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Veterans memorial coalition urges Montrose County and city to set construction dates to unlock donations
Summary
Coalition presenters told commissioners they have raised roughly $379,663 in cash and in-kind donations but need county and city decision-makers to set start and finish dates so vendors can schedule deliveries and donated items can be stored and installed; estimated total project cost is about $800,000.
Les Williams and coalition representatives presented detailed designs and a fundraising update for the Montrose Veterans Memorial and asked county leaders to commit to firm construction dates.
The coalition reported it has raised approximately $379,663 in cash and in-kind donations and has sold about 500 engraved bricks. Coalition members said panels and benches have been ordered from an out-of-state vendor and that delays are discouraging additional donations and creating storage challenges.
"We cannot continue to postpone this project," a coalition representative said, urging the county and city to convene decision-makers to agree on a start date, completion date and dedication so vendors can meet lead times and donors will feel confident committing more resources.
Presenters gave cost estimates near $800,000 for the full build, including in-kind contributions and local fabrication of some pieces. Commissioners noted the county previously budgeted $100,000 and asked the coalition to identify a specific cash request for the upcoming budget cycle; the coalition said in-kind donations and city/county participation would be factored into a final cash ask.
The board agreed county staff (Interim County Manager David White) could coordinate scheduling meetings with coalition and city contacts to resolve timeline and storage issues. No formal appropriation was approved at the work session.
