Clark County has taken a significant step in the journey towards commemorating the 58 individuals whose lives were tragically cut short during the Las Vegas mass shooting on October 1, 2017. News3LV reports that county commissioners have given the green light to allocate up to $10 million for the construction of the "Forever One" Memorial, earmarked for the very site of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival.
The Las Vegas memorial will cover two acres and include 58 candles and a 58-foot tower of light. It is designed as a place for reflection and remembrance. According to FOX5 Vegas, the commissioners' unanimous vote to designate the funds to the Vegas Strong Fund marks an initial step, with further decisions regarding the specific allocation of the funds slated for future meetings.
"The county has been incredible," Kelly McMahill, treasurer of the Vegas Strong Fund, reflected in gratitude, referencing not just the present financial commitment but previous assistance which, included seed money from the county and a separate $5 million contribution from MGM Resorts. MGM Resorts also stands out for donating the land upon which the memorial will be built, reinforcing a fabric of community support and collaboration in the face of past tragedy, as detailed by News3LV.
While the $10 million in county funds will lay down the financial framework for construction, the maintenance and staffing of the Forever One Memorial will be entrusted to other sources. This delineation of responsibility sharpens the focus on the importance of private sector engagement, a detail not lost on Commissioner Kirkpatrick who told News3LV, "We the public have done our part so now we need the private sector to do theirs."
