The 9/11 memorial sculpture created by local artists John Van Alstine and Noah Savet has finally been given a home.
The Saratoga Springs City Council voted unanimously to give the endorsement of the High Rock Park location for “Tempered by Memory. The spot was recommended after the city created a committee to determine the appropriate location. High Rock Park was suggested as the best place in early December after the committee held public hearings and visited several sites themselves.
Joel Reed, executive director of the Saratoga Arts Council, said he was happy with the decision.
“We came around to see the committee’s perspective, he said. “It’s quiet, it’s contemplative and it’s an attractive site.”
The 25-foot tall sculpture was created out of five pieces of steel from the wreckage of the twin towers provided by the New York and New Jersey Port Authorities. The two local artists assembled the piece, which was paid for by the Arts Council and then donated to the city. It was originally slated to be placed in front of the new City Center, with a dedication taking place on the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, but opposition from business leaders and the Heritage Area Visitor Center Advisory Board led plans to change.
Reed had asked Mayor Scott Johnson to place the current location recommendation up for a vote in order to not lose potential funding and volunteer services from backers to install the sculpture at the site. According to the council, about half of the $196,000 the project is estimated to cost has been donated by community members, local contractors and artists. The group still needs to raise $23,000.
The council voted to endorse the spot on the contingency it is signed-off by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and passes soil and engineering tests. In addition a archeological study may have to be performed because of the age of the site.
“I think it is an excellent site,said Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip”Scirocco. “I think it’s one of the only sites in the city that would certainly withstand the weight.
Reed said the council approves of the new site because it’s deeply connected to the city’s history.”
“It helps link the origins of Saratoga Springs to the recent events that have impacted New York State and the world so much,”he said.
The project began in the fall of 2011. The arts council hopes the process of erecting the sculpture can begin as early as spring 2012, now that a site has been found.