One of the matters Delaware City Council will decide on tonight has to do with the soon-to-open Veterans Memorial Plaza.
City Council will consider if it will spend $10,000 from the city’s general fund to engrave, install and maintain bricks at the plaza.
“The program is called ‘Honor Our Veterans — Brick by Brick’,” states the council fact sheet. “The bricks sell for $100 or $200. Donors have the choice of the remembrance location. The choices are: WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam or general.”
In addition to the commemorative bricks that used to be at the Point, the Veterans Memorial Plaza will include personalized memorial bricks to honor a loved one’s service. Orders need to be placed by May 6 to be engraved in time for the dedication. For an order form, visit http://www.delawareohio.net/veterans-memorial-plaza/.
The Veterans Memorial Plaza dedication will be at noon on Memorial Day (May 30). The plaza, in the corner of the YMCA and National Guard along South Houk Road and Veterans Drive, will feature the cannon that once stood guard near the Point entering the city. The World War I-era cannon has been restored at no charge by Delaware-based Wanner Metalworx. The plaza will also have a “Circle of Remembrance” — an elevated eternal flame sculptural element — along with “Stars of Reflection” for the 12 wars America has fought in (Revolutionary; 1812; Mexican; Civil; Spanish-American; World War I; World War II; Korean; Vietnam; Persian Gulf; Afghanistan; Iraq; with other space if there are future wars); and veterans’ mementos mounted to “Walls of Gratitude.”
The plaza cost $500,000 to build, funded by a state grant, donations and the city of Delaware. The designer is OHM Advisors and the builder is Delaware-based 2K General. The plaza is meant to honor, reflect and celebrate veterans in all five military branches. It is also wheelchair accessible.
Council has hoped that volunteers will help maintain the grounds.
In other business, council will decide whether to grant a supplemental appropriation of $9,500 for the openings of the Veterans Memorial Plaza, the nearby Veterans Park Spray and Play (at 10 a.m. June 4), the new dog park (8:30 a.m. May 7) and the renovated Hidden Valley Golf Course (already held).
Ted Miller, the city’s newly hired parks and natural resources director, will also be introduced.
Council meets at 7 p.m. today at City Hall, 1 S. Sandusky St. The public may attend.
