Springs plans MLK monument

Granite sculpture to be installed outside of regional library

Coral Springs is planning a special monument to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

City commissioners recently approved a $58,000 agreement with Minnesota-based Cold Spring Granite Company to build and install the structure in front of the Northwest Regional Library. The monument committee is raising funds; no tax dollars will be spent on the project.

The sculpture was designed by Coral Springs resident Dari Smith Patsiokas. The granite monument, which is 10 feet tall and 9 feet wide, will weigh more than 13,000 pounds and will feature 10 of King’s most memorable quotes.

Patsiokas said the Lac Du Bon- net pillar, which is coral-colored granite, represents equality, freedom of speech, unity and democracy. The raven-black monument stands for the Rainbow Coalition and King’s dignity, teachings and strength. The base will be Mesabi black granite.

The committee is trying to raise $75,000, said Joyce Campos, the city’s director of community relations.

“The committee is actively soliciting funds,” she said. “We will be billed as the fabrication is done. If there is a shortfall, the MLK committee has offered to give us the balance, which we will repay as we continue our fundraising.”

Groundbreaking is expected in September; the sculpture will be unveiled on Jan. 15, King’s birthday.

The city’s public art committee will bear the expenses related to the lighting of the project and the engineering design for strengthening the concrete base. The committee will spend up to $25,000 for those purposes.

Commissioner Lou Cimaglia is excited to see the project happening.

“We should keep the memory of our heroes alive,” he said. “Dr. King is one of our biggest heroes.”