What's Happening in Tigard, OR…

A memorial to veterans may be coming to Tualatin Commons.

Parks planning and development manager for the City of Tualatin, Rich Mueller, said that the results of 11 public meetings, three surveys, and other types of engagement from the public have revealed overwhelming enthusiasm for the memorial. He said the next stage will be to develop funding for the project, which may attract residents from Tigard once it is completed. Others in the area may be interested in such a memorial and can be made aware of it through poster printing.

Mueller added that the public will also be involved in the schematic design of the memorial. This will be followed by the creation of construction drawings and documents, and then cost estimates.

Jessel Champoux, a project manager and associate with consulting firm Shapiro Didway, said that eight sites were initially considered as suitable for the memorial. Then, more detailed information like the character of the site, parking, accessibility, and transportation were examined for each of the sites. This process then narrowed the selection to three sites—the Sweek Pond Natural Area, Brown's Ferry Park, and Tualatin Commons, with the last being deemed the prime site.

Champoux added that the memorial will honor military family members and all military service branches and members. It will feature themes of peace and freedom, and focus on civilian supporters of the military.