Highland Park Announces Next Design Phase For Permanent Place of Remembrance

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park is moving into the next public phase of planning for its permanent Place of Remembrance, with design concepts set to be presented Thursday.

The meeting of the Working Group planning for the permanent Place of Remembrance is scheduled for 5 p.m. The agenda is available on the Place of Remembrance website.

The city said the presentation will begin the second phase of community engagement, focused on design concepting. In its update, the city thanked residents who took part in the first phase and said feedback from the community, "especially victims' family members and people who were injured," gave the design team guidance as it prepares concepts for the site.

That feedback provided "critical insights for the design team as they prepare design concepts that speak to how the Place of Remembrance should honor the memory of the victims and the resilience of the community, especially those who were injured." The city said SWA Group will present several distinct concept designs at the May 7 meeting.

Additional public input opportunities are scheduled to follow. The city said there will be multiple ways for the public to participate, alongside feedback from victims' families and people who were injured.

Two in-person, drop-in Community Design Concept Workshops are planned in Highland Park. The first is set for Saturday, May 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Nuestro Center, 777 Central Ave., Suite 101. The second is scheduled for Monday, May 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Moraine, 1201 Park Ave. W. Advance registration is appreciated but not required, and the same information will be shared at both sessions, according to the city.

An online Community Design Concept Survey is also expected to open Friday at hpremembrance.org/designsurvey. Residents can review the concepts and submit feedback through May 24.

People who want to comment outside the workshops or survey can also email remembrance@cityhpil.com.

The update also acknowledged the subject may be difficult for many residents. The city urged people seeking support to contact the Resiliency Division at resiliency@cityhpil.com and said more information about services is available at resilienthpil.org.