Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) It's been almost three years since one of the darkest moments in Buffalo history. The massacre at Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue that killed 10 Black people and wounded three others.
The Reverend Mark Blue, Chairman of the 5-14 Memorial Commission
tells WBEN a site has been chosen for a 5-14 memorial. But it's too soon
to announce the location as negotiations are continuing.
A year ago, a design for the memorial, titled "Seeing Us," was selected
after a months-long public engagement process.
The commission is also close to naming a new Executive Director to help
with day to day operations and fundraising.
Asked if the pace of progress concerns him, Blue is not deterred.
"It may be slow now. Or people may be thinking that it's not going to happen.
But great developments happen with slow starts. This is something that we're going to have in perpetuity."
Another challenge may be the cost of the project.
"We're in a volatile political climate," he said. "We know prices will change. Construction costs will change. We are hopeful and optimistic that we will make the necessary changes and procure the money and property that we are looking for. We are resilient and we will go forward."
The original cost of the monument was $15 million dollars.
Currently, one million has been committed from the city of Buffalo and five million from New York State.
The Commission will soon be establishing a foundation for people to make donations.
"It takes time for these steps to develop but we are working feverishly to do what we can do," added Blue.