Committee unveils scaled veterans monument concept and a community-funded fundraising plan

The Veterans Monument ad hoc committee presented an updated, smaller-scale concept and a fundraising plan for a memorial adjacent to the Brentwood Police Station.

Landscape architect Maggie Ackerman of Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects described a focused plaza anchored by a bronze sculpture meant to represent a “citizen soldier,” a seat wall for ceremonies, six branch plaques and a pond overlook for quieter reflection. “The center of the space is a curved stunning post plaza anchored by the bronze sculpture of the citizen soldier,” Ackerman said during the presentation.

Cost and fundraising: the upgraded design is estimated at roughly $1,300,000 and is intended to stay within a $1.5 million budget target, the committee said. Committee representative Ashley Mackinholt outlined a two-pronged fundraising strategy combining major gifts (generally $25,000 and up) and a broader community-wide initiative, and clarified tax-deduction rules for donors: because the monument fund is a 170(c) revenue organization, “all contributions will be tax deductible as long as there’s no benefit received by the individual making contribution,” Ashley said.

Design and accessibility: presenters emphasized ADA-compliant routes, a plaza sized to hold just over 100 people for ceremonies and an adjacent pond overlook that can hold about 30 people. The design retains a large proportion of green space and relies on community fundraising; the final sculpture will be developed through an artist commissioning process and returned to the commission for review.

Discussion points: commissioners questioned pedestrian access to the overlook, the placement of the American flag and whether the representative statue should face the flag or the public. Staff and committee members explained the positioning and noted the statue in the concept renderings is a placeholder.

Next steps: committee members asked the commission for a nod of approval to proceed with fundraising and design work; presenters said approval this spring would allow fundraising to begin and that design work will proceed once roughly 50% of funds are raised. The committee pegged a goal completion date of July 4, 2027, contingent on fundraising and construction timelines.