Capitol Arts & Grounds Commission Approves Firefighter Memorial
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: February 12, 2013
The Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission on Tuesday approved installation of a memorial to fallen firefighters.
"I'm very pleased that the commission was able to approve this project," Secretary of State Mark Martin said. Martin serves as chairman of the commission.
The Arkansas Fallen Firefighters have pursued the project for eight years and have raised funds for construction and maintenance of the monument.
The installation will include a statue grouping of firefighters, a series of granite panels and a fountain, set in an amphitheater. It will be located on the west side of the capitol, at the end of Capitol Mall.
"This will be a quiet place in the middle of five or six office buildings, where workers can come out during their break or for lunch to share the monument," said Johnny Reep of the Fallen Firefighters.
The proposal was approved contingent upon a preconstruction meeting of architects, contractors and the Secretary of State's Capitol Facilities Department.
Reep said the Fallen Firefighters Association plans to have construction completed in time for dedication in October, which is National Fire Prevention Month.
The commission also heard a presentation from the Arkansas Military Veterans' Hall of Fame.
The AMVHOF has proposed installing the Hall of Fame in the capitol's south foyer.
The commission took no action pending research of an earlier site survey and moratorium on memorials inside the capitol.
"I'm very pleased that the commission was able to approve this project," Secretary of State Mark Martin said. Martin serves as chairman of the commission.
The Arkansas Fallen Firefighters have pursued the project for eight years and have raised funds for construction and maintenance of the monument.
The installation will include a statue grouping of firefighters, a series of granite panels and a fountain, set in an amphitheater. It will be located on the west side of the capitol, at the end of Capitol Mall.
"This will be a quiet place in the middle of five or six office buildings, where workers can come out during their break or for lunch to share the monument," said Johnny Reep of the Fallen Firefighters.
The proposal was approved contingent upon a preconstruction meeting of architects, contractors and the Secretary of State's Capitol Facilities Department.
Reep said the Fallen Firefighters Association plans to have construction completed in time for dedication in October, which is National Fire Prevention Month.
The commission also heard a presentation from the Arkansas Military Veterans' Hall of Fame.
The AMVHOF has proposed installing the Hall of Fame in the capitol's south foyer.
The commission took no action pending research of an earlier site survey and moratorium on memorials inside the capitol.
