Politics & Government

Veterans' Gazebo Takes Shape in Richmond Heights

A design presentation will be made Thursday at The Heights community center.

residents interested in getting a closer look at plans for can attend a meeting scheduled Thursday.

"It's a very broad purpose," Chairman Ken Heinz of the 12-person Veterans' Memorial Gazebo Committee said this week. "This is not a war memorial, this is not a peace memorial, this is designed to honor all those who serve. And I think it has great functionality in that regard."

The structure is expected to be located southwest of the circle drive outside community center, between the east and west parking lots. Its construction would coincide with .

Design attributes include a roof with a peaked top similar to that on The Heights and the public safety building, Heinz said. Plans call for benches on which people could sit and reflect quietly or eat lunch. The covered structure could also be used for small-scale music performances, wedding photographs or events for holidays such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July.

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A row of flagpoles would be located nearby, assuming funding is available. Other features could include a bronze World War I memorial plaque recognizing the six Richmond Heights residents who died during that conflict. Former Police Chief Rick Vilcek discovered the plaque a while back in the basement of City Hall, Heinz said. It's unclear how the plaque got there, but it could be a fitting component of the gazebo site.

A presentation about the structure's proposed design will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Heights during a meeting of the city's Centennial Planning Committee. Earlier this week, Pat Croghan of reviewed the plans for City Council.

Design work has been underway for about the last six months and is being funded by a $4,000 St. Louis Municipal Park Grant. The city contributed $1,000 in matching funds toward the work.

Fundraising will be conducted to pay for construction, which Heinz said is expected to cost approximately $200,000. Final building costs will depend on how much money is raised. The gazebo committee plans to apply for a parks grant, as well as small grants from veterans organizations.

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Organizers are contemplating a memorial brick program. Richmond Heights residents and others could purchase one or more bricks honoring a veteran of any war. They will also seek sponsorships, and an event such as an auction is possible this winter or next spring.

Heinz is hopeful construction on the project can begin on Memorial Day 2013. The work would continue through that summer and wrap up in the fall.

Questions about this project or other centennial plans may be directed to Heinz or Chairman Mike Jones of the centennial committee by emailing centennial@richmondheights.org or leaving a voicemail at 314-645-5396.


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