Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission Announces Design Guidelines & Process
FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 22, 2017
The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Newtown, Connecticut, invites design submissions for a permanent memorial, to honor and remember the twenty-six victims of the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.
All interested designers, including but not limited to landscape architects, architects, and artists, are invited to apply individually or as teams. Emerging design professionals are also encouraged to submit a design.
Kyle Lyddy, Chairman of the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission spoke to potential designers while explaining the importance of the work. “With your submission, we hope that you will be purposeful with your thoughts, keeping in mind the reason your design is being sought, and are sensitive to the many individuals and families who have been impacted by that horrific day.”
A document called "Guidelines for Submitting a Design" will be available at www.SandyHookPermanentMemorial.com as of Sept. 22, 2017. Phase I design submissions will be accepted until Dec. 15, 2017. Once accepted, the Memorial Commission and an advisory panel will review designs and create a short list to move forward into Phase II.
“While we have outlined a detailed document as a base for your work, we are hopeful this doesn’t limit the creativity of your submission,” Lyddy explained.
After a lengthy search for a site, the Town of Newtown was fortunate to receive a donation of land, by the Board of Trustees of the Social Boys & Athletic Club (SAC) of Sandy Hook, for the memorial.
The site is a 5.3-acre property in the community of Sandy Hook, which contains two open areas (former playing fields), two ponds, and woodlands. It is situated in a semi-rural area close to Sandy Hook Center. Neighboring and nearby properties include private residences, town land, and farms.
Individuals interested in submitting a design will be allowed access to the memorial via scheduled site walks and by appointment only.
Mr. Lyddy expressed thanks to the members of the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission, past and present, and others in the community who have played a role in navigating this process over the past several years. “It’s an emotional task. We’ve attempted to be diligent with our approach while ensuring every decision we’re making is guided by our mission statement of honoring those lost on that horrific day.”
Contact: Chairman, Kyle Lyddy
Email: SandyHookPermanentMemorial@gmail.com
Website / Design Submissions: www.SandyHookPermanentMemorial.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/SandyHookPermanentMemorial
Twitter: Twitter.com/SHPermMemorial
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