Monday, April 7, 2008

McKinney Veterans Memorial Project in trouble?

By Rodney Williams of McKinneyNews.net

Rendering of proposed McKinney Veteran's Memorial Park.

A memorial planned to honor fallen Collin County soldiers and be built in West McKinney could be in danger due to a lack of donations.

The McKinney Veterans Memorial Park, to be set within Times Square in Craig Ranch, is $650,000 short of the necessary $1 million for design and construction.

The park, resting on one-third of an acre, could be home to a memorial wall with the names of Collin County soldiers who have died in foreign wars etched on it. The wall is planned to be built in the shape of a commemorative ribbon - five to six feet tall at its highest point - with the names of the 314 fallen soldiers at the "top" of the ribbon and the ends of the wall tapering into the sidewalk.

The park would be built on land donated by David Craig and Craig Ranch and located across from the Tournament Players Club at Craig Ranch clubhouse on Weiskopf Lane. The memorial would be a true park with trees and grass and even the occasional musical notes.

Initial funding for the project came from the McKinney Community Development Corporation which contributed $350,000 to the project. The City is trying to get donations for the remaining $650,000 via a donation drive through its Web site and grass roots efforts, i.e., school districts and church organizations.

"This is an important project, absolutely," said Steve Brainerd, Parks Development Superintendent for the City of McKinney. "I think it's important for us to remember those citizens who died defending their country."

Brainerd is trying his best to see this project through to completion. In addition to the other fund-raising initiatives, Brainerd is attempting to sign corporate sponsors.

"We're reaching out to who we feel could be major contributors," Brainerd said.

There have been independent donations along the way - $2,000 from the local VFW and another $1,000 from individual donors. But with only two months left on a hard three-month deadline, things could be looking better.

What happens if the money isn't raised? Would Brainerd approach the City once more for the needed funds?

"No, I wouldn't expect to go back to the City, it's already contributed $350,000," Brainerd said.

The project is currently in the planning stages. The $1 million price tag includes bidding the project out to find a developer and the actual construction, which is expected to take around one year. Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein, Inc., which did the conceptual drawings could have the inside track on the project.

While its future in in doubt, the project springs forth from history. McKinney was chosen as the host site of the memorial due to its position as the seat of Collin County and its historical importance. McKinney's town square served as a recruiting point for the county during the Civil War and World War I.

Even though all Collin County soldiers lost in battle in foreign wars will be on the wall, McKinney was chosen for this project because it is the seat of Collin County and because the square served as a recruiting point for all towns within the county during the Civil War and World War I.

Ultimately, the park stands as a constant reminder of the sacrifice of others. Brainerd remains confident the tribute will be built, even if he has to approach other cities for help.

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