Nutter Administration Plans Memorial at Site of 2013 Fatal Building Collapse
By Tim Jimenez and Jan Carabeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mayor Michael Nutter today announced the City of Philadelphia is planning to build a memorial honoring the victims of last year's fatal building collapse at 22nd and Market Streets.
Mayor Nutter revealed that the Salvation Army offered to donate the site of last year's collapse, at 2140 Market Street, to the city. There, a memorial and public park would be built.
Philadelphia resident Elizabeth Green says, "I'm really impressed with the Salvation Army. I think it's such a generous thing that they gave it to the city."
The mayor says his administration will first send an ordinance to City Council for approval. Council president Darrell Clarke says he expects it to pass quickly.
"Today's announcement is about moving forward with a sense of hope for the future," the mayor said, "but quite frankly, we will never forget."
It's a big step, according to city treasurer Nancy Winkler, who is also part of the 22nd and Market Memorial Park Committee. Her daughter, Anne Bryan, was one of six people killed when an adjacent building under demolition collapsed onto the Salvation Army thrift store, trapping employees and shoppers inside (see related stories). In addition to the six killed, more than a dozen others were hurt, some seriously.
"We would like a beautiful park that reflects the importance of human life," Winkler said.
But before construction can begin the donation needs to be approved by the New York Attorney General and several New York courts.
Nutter says, "There is great confidence out of New York and the New York Salvation Army that this process should flow along pretty smoothly."
Design for the memorial is already underway. The cost will be around $250,000, funded too by donations.
The committee wants to complete the design and fundraising goal by June 5th, the first anniversary of the collapse.
To donate to the memorial, visit: https://www.pennhort.net/memorial
