Essential Workers Monument

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The Essential Workers Monument is a planned memorial in New York City, United States, commemorating key workers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

In June 2021, Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York state, announced that the memorial would be located in Battery Park City, along the waterfront with views of the Statue of Liberty. [1] [2] The proposed $3 million "Circle of Heroes" design included 19 red maple trees around an "eternal flame". [3] [2] [4] The monument's location faced opposition due to the process and location; plans would have called for removing existing trees and covering grass with concrete for the pathway. [5] [6] Protestors wanted to preserve the existing green space. [6] [7] Cuomo planned to install the memorial in a different location. [8] [4]

In July 2021, the Battery Park City Essential Workers Monument Advisory Committee was formed to help identify a new location. It comprises seventeen people representing various neighborhood constituencies as well as state officials and essential workers. [9]

In September 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed interest in completing the memorial. [10]

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References

  1. ↑ "Governor Cuomo Unveils New Renderings for Essential Workers Monument" (Press release). Governor's Press Office. 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 Weaver, Shaye (2021-06-24). "A new Essential Workers Monument and park is coming to NYC this fall". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  3. ↑ "Governor Cuomo Unveils New Renderings for Essential Workers Monument". www.governor.ny.gov. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  4. 1 2 Chang, Sophia (2021-07-03). "Controversial Battery Park City Monument To Essential Workers Will Be Moved, State Says". Gothamist. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  5. ↑ Chung, Lori (28 June 2021). "Planned monument to essential workers meets opposition in Battery Park City". NY1. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  6. 1 2 "NY Plans Circle of Heroes Monument for Essential Workers in Battery Park City, $25 Million in Childcare Aid". NBC New York. 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  7. ↑ Gannon, Devin (2021-07-06). "Cuomo's 'Circle of Heroes' monument proposed for Battery Park City will be relocated after protests". 6sqft. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  8. ↑ Slattery, Denis (2 July 2021). "Cuomo's essential workers memorial being moved after backlash from Battery Park City". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Committee formed to site essential workers monument in BPC". Tribeca Citizen. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  10. ↑ Fink, Zack (2021-09-08). "Hochul backs an essential workers memorial". ny1.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.


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