By Jeffrey Rosenfield Safety Harbor Patch
Recently, Safety Harbor entered into a agreement with three surrounding towns to rotate 9/11 anniversary ceremonies in one of the communities every year.
Next year it’s this city’s turn to host the event. And if all goes according to plan, Safety Harbor should have a spectacular new memorial in place that will be the centerpiece of the ceremony.
The Safety Harbor Fire Department is working with city officials to construct a memorial downtown that will feature a courtyard, benches and a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.
“The City Commission recently approved us moving forward with the 9/11 memorial park in front of the flag pole between the fire station and City Hall,” Safety Harbor Fire Chief Joe Accetta told Patch.
“The conceptual plan calls for a courtyard with benches, and a pedestal with a 9/11 timeline around it that will house the piece of steel encased in glass.”
While many area cities have erected 9/11 memorials in recent years, two things separate the one planned for Safety Harbor from the rest.
Not only will people be able to actually touch the steel when they visit the memorial, but much of the surrounding area will be designed and developed by people from the community.
“The City is working with the Safety Harbor Public Art Committee to design the artwork for the benches,” Chief Accetta said.
“One artist, or a group of artists, will design each bench, which will depict a different aspect of the tragedy – the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93.
Accetta said the funding for the project, which is estimated at $20,000, will come exclusively from private donations and sponsorships.
He said they will be collecting donations at city events like Third Friday and Wine Fest, and he is also hopeful local residents and businesses step up and contribute to the cause.
“We wanted this to be on Main Street where people walking downtown and attending city events will always be able to see it,” he said.
“This will be a hands-on memorial that everyone will be able to appreciate and enjoy.”
For more information on the Safety Harbor 9/11 memorial, and to donate to the cause, contact Fire Chief Joe Accetta at 727-724-1573 or jaccetta@cityofsafetyharbor.com.
