A search is now underway for architects and artists who will design and execute a Hurricane Maria memorial honoring the victims and survivors of Hurricane Maria and the resilience of the Puerto Rican community.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this week that the monument will be displayed at Battery Park City and established New York State Hurricane Maria Memorial Commission on the one-year anniversary of Maria’s landfall in September, 2017.
“Hurricane Maria claimed thousands of lives and destroyed countless homes in Puerto Rico, yet the resilience of the Puerto Rican community has shown the world anything can be overcome when we all stand together in solidarity,” Cuomo said. “We want this spirit of strength and community to be reflected in the Hurricane Maria Memorial, and we look forward to seeing how the experts capture it in their designs.”
Experienced architects and artists are invited to submit a response to the request for proposal. Submissions must be completed and submitted online by Monday, September 9. Interested architects and artists should visit www.ny.gov/HurricaneMariaMemorial.
The Hurricane Maria Memorial Commission will review and select finalists from the submitted proposals. The budget for design and fabrication of the memorial site and artwork is approximately $700,000.
Battery Park City Authority President & CEO B.J. Jones said, “We are honored to site the Hurricane Maria Memorial in Battery Park City, made especially poignant as we proceed with our own resiliency infrastructure projects, designed to combat and overcome the threats presented by extreme weather.
New York State has dedicated approximately $13 million to support the more than 11,000 displaced Hurricane Maria victims living in New York.
Cuomo and the New York Congressional Delegation continue to advocate for Puerto Rico to receive essential federal assistance. In 2017, Cuomo along with members of the New York Congressional Delegation and with Puerto Rican elected officials issued a Build Back Better Assessment Report. The report identified specific sectors needing investments, including housing, power grid and resiliency, and agriculture, among others.
