We wanted to give you a new financial report concerning our progress on Fundraising for the Statue of Liberty since we are rapidly approaching our deadline of Jan. 15th. We will stop actively raising funds on that date, but we will continue accepting funds as they come in.
We are happy to report that we are now within $25,000 of our total goal. We have 10 days left until our “official” fund-raising deadline. However, we definitely want to raise a bit more so there is a cushion for contingencies, such as possible increased costs in building materials, backs on some of the benches, etc. Also, we just want to be sure there is really enough money to build this design, including the landscaping, so we can get it all done at one time. That would be really nice!
We wanted to include a few photos here and make a few comments to answer several points that people on your Blog have written about in the past:
1. Since there have been numerous comments about keeping the existing pedestal (the design was too “fancy”), we wanted to share with you a series of photos we took in November of a person climbing all the way up to the statue to give her a big hug, and in broad daylight nonetheless! This photo is a clear reminder of what is the original and inherent problem with the existing pedestal and why it needs to be replaced, and not just “spiffed up.”
Just as average day, and another person climbing the statue...
2. It was decided some time ago raising the money to build the new pedestal would be done by selling bricks for a new plaza. That design would replace the planter and buckled asphalt, and would be a more people-friendly installation. It’s also been a way to bring the Alki and West Seattle community together as the vast majority of residents have clearly wanted to do this design, as evidenced by their donations.
3. There were plenty of public meetings too where people made suggestions; these were incorporated in the final plaza design. (See photo of 9/13/07 meeting on the timeline showing all public meetings).
Each group of type in the middle of the chart above represents a separate, important public meeting on the design of the project with the Parks Dept. and the public.
Finally, we want to extend a big “Thank You” to all of West Seattle and Alki residents who have stepped up to the plate and donated money and time to this campaign. As an example that this is a well-loved project here, we are attaching the map showing where most of the donors live who have contributed thus far. We have received money from far away places like Anchorage, Brooklyn, NY. and cities around the country, but the vast majority of contributors live in West Seattle. So a big “Thank You”, and please, still send money (206-938-8721) to take us “over the top” on this plaza project.
Each red dot represents a donor. Obviously, the big majority are from the West Seattle area (and some dots cover other dots), but donors who love this area have given contributions from every area of the United States.
And, yes, the Holiday Brick Special is still on to the end of the campaign on Jan. 15 (three bricks for the price of two). We have not yet sold 1,000 bricks and there is room in the design for 6,000, so please help to fill up the plaza with inscribed bricks. Also, if you would like to volunteer 3 hours and participate in our “viral” campaign of telling your friends about this opportunity, please call us. We have easy tasks you can do to spread the word to your friends who want to be a part of this historic and special place. Lastly, we still have 5 benches for sale (out of 14) for $5000, 3 landscape plaques (out of 6) for $2000 and there is still plenty of room on the Major Donor plaque that will go on the front of the statue. Let’s finish this project --- completely!
Thanks.
Libby & Paul Carr, Co-Chairs
Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project
