North Ridgeville drawing up plans for veterans memorial

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio – The city is working to design a veterans memorial, which will be installed behind the Safetyville building at 35753 Bainbridge Road.

A public meeting was held March 22 to discuss the plan. In attendance were Ward 2 Councilman Dennis Boose, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Fougerousse and Keriann Roach, Jeff Grigsby and Jim Hordinski from VFW Post 9871.

The idea for the memorial came from Jim Maleski and Mark Steinbrunner of the veterans memorial committee.

Keith Martin of MBD Homes was introduced at the meeting as the general contractor/architect for the first stage of the project.

Maleski, organizer and treasurer of the memorial committee, has been soliciting donations and is planning a “bunch of fundraisers,” he said, including an Elvis impersonator, a Facebook page and an event at the North Ridgeville Corn Fest.

He noted that State Sen. Nathan Manning (R-13) has found funds of about $100,000 for the project. Another $50,000 may be coming from Lorain County Veterans’ Services.

Boose said the projected budget will be about $345,300. Currently, there is a shortage of about $50,000. The Cleveland Monsters was also mentioned as a possible sponsor of the project.

Items discussed included selling pavers (93 have already been sold), installing a fountain and having a flag display near the pavers.

Overall, Boose said, “We must be sure to do it all correctly.”

It was noted that the intention is to hand over the project to the veterans when completed.

A resident who lives very close to the land for the memorial commented on bad drainage. It was noted later that a lot of the funding dollars will go into drainage and that there will probably be seven yard drains.

It was also mentioned that a mound will be constructed to protect the yard of a neighbor who was concerned about the drainage so close to her yard.

The time frame for the project was estimated at about four months, making July and August the goal for finishing. Any grants would need to be in hand by June.

Fougerousse said the memorial will be maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department, so “don’t be too extravagant so that we will have to maintain it all.”

Finally, it was noted, most everyone said feedback on the project has been very positive and it has a lot of support.

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