HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #09d Relocate African-American Memorial from Right-of-Way of Basking Ridge Court to the Lakeshore Center Memorial Area Ilk.—
OCOPP
florida
AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: August 18, 2015
Item # d
Reviewed By:
Contact Name: Al Butler, Support Services Department Director: ���;
Contact Number: 407-905-3100, ext. 1543 City Manager: / ,�
Subject: Relocate African-American memorial from ROW of Basking Ridge Court to the Lakeshore
Center memorial area.
Background Summary:
The Ocoee City Commission allocated $22,000 toward landscaping and construction of a gazebo
along with other improvements of the parcel located at the southern end of Basking Ridge Court in the
Forest Ridge Subdivision, which is located in the central part of the city with access from Lakewood
Avenue. It was subsequently determined that site conditions were not compatible with the planned
improvement. Instead, the city's Human Relations Diversity Board (HRDB) asked that a granite
memorial was erected in the street right of way adjacent to the original parcel.
1111 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII1I
In honor and
dmemory of the
? riean .7imertcans
9round tuho galled Ocoee
•
•
I
1
The memorial replaced a metal sign at the same location. In addition to the main legend, the base
says, "This memorial site was made possible by the efforts of Mayor J. Lester Dabbs and the West
Orange Reconciliation Task Force" and contains the dates 1885-1920. Approximately $5,100 was
spent to fabricate and install the monument, with funding coming from the original allocation of
$22,000.
After the monument was put into place, the HRDB became concerned that the location was too
difficult for visitors to find, did not provide sufficient visibility for recognition and protection of the
memorial, and was unsuited to group gatherings. During a discussion of the location at multiple
HRDB meetings, a suggestion was made by Commissioner Keller and endorsed by the HRDB to seek
permission to relocate the memorial to a site that addressed these various shortcomings: the
Lakeshore Center memorial plaza on Oakland Avenue. Although the memorial plaza is primarily
dedicated to members of the armed forces, it also contains a peace pole with a message written in
multiple languages and, in general, honors those local residents whose memory is a part of the city's
notable history. The language of the monument itself is also consistent with the general nature of the
memorial plaza. The monument would be placed to the north of the existing memorials in a position
planned for installing for additional monuments.
Issue:
The HRDB asks that the African-American memorial now located in the street ROW on Basking Ridge
Court be moved to the Lakeshore Center memorial plaza.
Recommendations:
Staff recommends that the City Commission approve the memorial relocation requested by the HRDB.
Attachment: None.
Financial Impact: Approximately $16,900 remains in ADG Capital Job No. 30905, which had an initial
allocation of$22,000. A small portion of these funds would be used to contract with Quality Vault to
acquire a suitable base and relocate the monument to the Lakeshore Center memorial area. Parks &
Recreation Department staff assistance will be needed to modify the existing plantings and irrigation
system in the new location.
Type of Item: (please mark with an x')
Public Hearing For Clerk's Dept Use:
Ordinance First Reading Consent Agenda
Ordinance Second Reading Public Hearing
Resolution X Regular Agenda
X Commission Approval
Discussion&Direction
Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
Reviewed by City Attorney N/A
Reviewed by Finance Dept. N/A
2