WORK ON MEMORIAL WALKWAY BEGINS

7/30/2008
Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – Lake Havasu City workers broke ground Monday on what will soon be the first section of the Memorial Walkway between the London Bridge and the planned Freedom Bridge.

“The volunteers have been working on this Freedom Bridge concept for a little over a year, and now we can really see progress being made,” said Brian Wedemeyer, Freedom Bridge Foundation President. “The cooperation from the city staff has been amazing.”

The Memorial Walkway will consist of engraved bricks as well as historical markers that will tell the story of America’s fight for freedom. High school and middle school students soon will be invited to write the essays for the historical markers.

City government already planned to make some maintenance improvements along that portion of the Bridgewater Channel easement. City crews will install temporary bricks until the first engraved bricks arrive in less than two months. “At that time, we plan to hold a very special celebration,” Wedemeyer said. “It’s going to be a beautiful addition to the Channel area.”

Meanwhile, the number of local non-profit groups that have signed up as beneficiaries of the brick fundraiser has reached 30. The most recent application was approved for organizers of the planned Tinnell Memorial Sports Park. Those who purchase a brick can donate $5 to any one of the organizations listed.

In addition, companies have the opportunity to purchase multi-brick packages to honor Veterans, employees, customers or other groups.

Proceeds from brick sales will be used for the Freedom Bridge improvement project, including an enhanced bridge design and a proposed Freedom Park. The City is expected to go out for bid on the basic bridge design and engineering during the current fiscal year.

While the city will pay for the second bridge with general fund money as well as dollars collected from island development impact fees, the improvements to the bridge and the surrounding park will not be paid for through tax dollars.

“Our goal is to create a lasting memorial to the men and women who made this country what it is, without adding additional burden to the taxpayer. The monies for the park and the bridge enhancements will come from memorial brick sales and other outside, non-tax dollar sources,” Wedemeyer said.

For more information, visit www.havasufreedombridge.com

Larry Robinson
Executive Director
(951) 217-8017
robinsonl@frontiernet.net

Jarrod Lyman
Vice-President
Lake Havasu City CVB
(928) 453-3444 x134
(928) 453-3344 fax