Veterans Memorial Construction Begins Soon

CLEARWATER, FL — Visitors to Clearwater’s Crest Lake Park are likely to notice a buzz of activity in the coming months. The city has announced construction of a new veterans memorial will begin soon.

The memorial will rise on the park’s southeast corner at Gulf to Bay Boulevard and South Lake Avenue. The project is a partnership between the city and the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance, a nonprofit group. The alliance raised more than $150,000 in donations to fund half the project’s first phase costs, which are estimated at $300,000. The city is matching the other half.

Construction on phase one will officially begin on Feb. 23 and should be done by May 23 with a ribbon cutting on Memorial Day, May 30.

The first phase of the project involves the creation of a circular brick plaza with a gold star design and a paved walkway. An American flag will be displayed along with the state flag, POW flags and flags from each branch of the military, the city explained in a media release. The new plaza will be surrounded by walls upon which area residents can have the names of veterans engraved for a contribution.

The project’s second phase, which has no time table as of yet, will involve the installation of bronze sculptures to represent each branch of the military through periods of conflict from World War II to present. The second phase is expected to cost $1 million. The Veterans Alliance is working to raise $500,000 for phase two and the city has agreed to match that.

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Rendering courtesy of the City of Clearwater Facebook page