3 semifinalists chosen for Fallen Five memorial design
Three semifinalists have been selected to submit concept designs for the Fallen Five memorial to honor the victims of Chattanooga’s July 16, 2015, terrorist attack.
Gordon Huether with Gates and Associates, Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee of Re: site, and Howard Meehan and William Freer of Firefly Studio will offer proposals in September, and by the end of the year one will be selected. The semifinalists were selected from 55 artists who expressed interest in designing the memorial.
“Creating a memorial that incorporates aspects of remembrance and the healing needs of a community can be a challenge,” said Katelyn Kirnie, the city’s director of public art.
“We received an incredible amount of applications from talented artists, and the artist selection panel has selected top candidates that I know will fully consider these important spaces and create a meaningful memorial for our community.”
The artists will submit designs for one or both of two spaces near the Hubert Fry Center, deciding how to incorporate the site options into their plans. The location is just a couple of hundred feet from the naval reserve center
that was attacked.
The city and Hamilton County have agreed to contribute $250,000 each toward the memorial, which has been budgeted for a $750,000 total. Also contributed to the fund will be proceeds from the Chattanooga Heroes Run that generated $15,000 for the project last year. There will be an opportunity to make private donations.
“Almost two years ago, Chattanooga was forever changed,” said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. “And since that day, we have come together in a variety of ways to honor and remember our Fallen Five, from the murals on McCallie Avenue and the monument on Lee Highway to events like the Heroes Run.”
“This memorial will add to all the ways we pay tribute by creating a special place along the river to pray, reflect and honor our Fallen Five and their families.”
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger agreed with his counterpart at a Tuesday news conference and said he was pleased to see the field narrowed down to the three candidates.
“We believe their designs will not only pay tribute to the Fallen Five but will also embrace the essence of the [Tennessee] Riverwalk where the memorial will reside. Visitors will be able to properly honor and respect the heroes from July 16, 2015,” he said.
The semifinalists will be in Chattanooga on July 16 this year to examine the space and join the city in remembrance of the tragedy. After their concept designs are submitted in September, the design will be finalized this fall and construction will begin in 2018. Officials hope to have it completed by this time next year.
“We believe their designs will not only pay tribute to the Fallen Five but will also embrace the essence of the [Tennessee] Riverwalk where the memorial will reside. Visitors will be able to properly honor and respect the heroes from July 16, 2015.” — HAMILTON COUNTY MAYOR JIM COPPINGER