Memorial statue is Highland Park’s new choice for Port Clinton

After putting the Port Clinton place of remembrance design on hold in June, city officials are once again moving the project forward. 

During a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, July 20, officials unveiled a draft request for qualifications seeking artists to create a public art sculpture in Port Clinton to honor those killed in the 2022 shooting. 

The location is near the site of the attack on July 4, 2022.

The draft proposal is subject to change, and residents may submit feedback via email to remembrance@cityhpil.com. 

The official RFQ reportedly will be posted next week on the City’s website and will seek artist information, a letter of intent, a portfolio of previous works and references. 

Mayor Nancy Rotering said Monday she would like to include the question: “How would they remember the people that we lost?” 

The budget for the project is $200,000, officials said.

Preferred Location 

Officials have identified an “L-shaped nook” just east of the entrance to Walker Brothers, 620 Central Ave., just as Port Clinton Square begins. But artists are welcome to suggest an alternate location, Assistant City Manager Emily Taub said

City Manger Ghida Neukirch called it an “ideal” location for people who want to go near the piece and those who prefer to walk by it.

“We thought this was a good location [for the sculpture],” City Manager Ghida Neukirch said. “If people want to sit in the plaza, they will still be able to view the artwork from a different seating, as opposed to having it right in the middle.” 

Rotering said she is glad the sculpture is “protected”; although she still wonders if the spot would be triggering for those traumatized by the shooting. 

Resident Michael Cohn, a relative of Jacki Sundheim, who was killed in the attack, said the spot is “perfect where it’s at.”

“I think it’s in a respectful place that is not in the way of the concerts and events that happen at Port Clinton,” Cohn said. “For me, it’s exactly where I go now. To me I couldn’t have asked for a better location.” 

He recommended adding a “flower bed,” around it, so that kids don’t play too close to the statue.

Potential Art in Rose Garden

Residents at the meeting asked if any artwork would be included in the rose garden place of remembrance, in addition to the statue at Port Clinton. 

While that remains undecided, Rotering said project lead SWA Group is “open” to the concept, depending on what is “proposed” for the Port Clinton piece.

“For now, we want the Port Clinton piece to stand on its own, then we will see if we can also coordinate with the rose garden,” Rotering said.

Neukirch said that the City does want the two memorial sites (Port Clinton and the rose garden) to “blend” and be “compatible” with one another, she said. 

The artwork for Port Clinton will take “inspiration” from the rose garden, Taub said. 

The deadline to fill out the Port Clinton request for qualifications will be 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. 

The evaluation committee for the proposals will combine the place of remembrance working group and the cultural arts commission and reportedly will meet in late September or early October. 

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