1 October Memorial selection enters phase 2

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The process of building a permanent memorial to honor the 58 people who died in the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival on October 1, 2017, is now entering Phase 2.

On Wednesday morning, the 1 October Memorial Selection Committee conducted a meeting at the Clark County Commission chambers to introduce the five design teams which will become semi-finalists, and have the opportunity to submit designs which will be reviewed in June.

"I would like them to walk away with some sort of healing and some peace," said shooting survivor Sue Ann Cornwell, about how she would like memorial visitors to feel after they visit the memorial.

The teams hoping to accomplish Sue Ann's wishes have impressive credentials from work on other memorials around the U.S. and the world, including the memorials at Fort Hood, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and the Vietnam and 9-11 memorials.

Daniel Affleck, a landscaping architect with the SWA group, says the 1 October Memorial should be unique. "Every memorial is very different. We want something that feels uniquely like it's from Las Vegas with the qualities and the character of the landscaping, the community, and the input that we hear."

That community input, according to 1 October Memorial Committee chair Tennille Periera, is a top priority being placed on the final five groups. She also believes the credentials of those groups means Las Vegas and its visitors can expect a powerful and meaningful tribute to those who were lost.

"We're so grateful that they have decided to participate and help us in this next phase of healing," said Periera. "The five teams that came this morning to present have a wealth of knowledge, and you can tell they are really dedicated to this process, and they've been listening."

To allow each group to continue their work toward final submissions, including building models and other design expenses, Clark County has given each team $50-thousand. Once the winning design is selected, county commissioner Justin Jones says the public will be invited to provide input on ways to pay for the memorial. Jones says he doesn't expect much pushback on this particular project. "I think people understand that it is important for our community, and we want to make sure we get the best design. To do so, you have to spend a little bit of money to make sure that we really honor these victims."

For more information on the five semi-finalists, go to clarkcountynv.gov/1octobermemorial. Website visitors can also use this page to offer comments and input to the design teams, which is being strongly encouraged by the 1 October Memorial Committee.