The Moore County Veterans Memorial Advisory Committee has unanimously endorsed a landscape design that would help preserve the Moore County Veterans Memorial, by developing the land surrounding it into a public park.
During the Committee’s Friday, January 11 meeting, member Carolyn Mealing presented the design, which includes walking trails, an amphitheater, additional parking, and restrooms.
While Committee members praised the concept, they decided that one or two additional design concepts will be needed before making a recommendation to the Moore County Board of Commissioners.
Southern Pines Landscape Architect Vince Zucchino developed the design presented by Mealing. He told the Committee that there are other design options for the Memorial and the area surrounding it.
Moore County Planning Director Robert Hayter praised Zucchino’s work, but asked whether a different design might generate some cost savings.
Zucchino's design could cost as much as $1 million. However, Mealing reminded the Committee that the County would not be liable for the cost of the project. Rather grants, donations, and fundraising efforts would be utilized to cover costs, explained Mealing.
The only thing that the County would have to pay for is maintenance and insurance costs -- which the County already covers for the current Memorial site.
“It will be done in a step by step process,” said Committee member Ruby Hendrick.
Mealing said Zucchino's design places the Memorial within a park that could be enjoyed not only be Veterans, but by all residents of Moore County and for various events.
One current problem with the Memorial, Mealing said, is that it does not have public restrooms, adequate parking, or any type of stage for larger events.
Zucchino's design meets all of those needs, she said.
“There isn’t a family in Moore County that has not been touched by what Veterans have done for us,” said Mealing. “The Veterans are a very important part of our citizenry in this County . . . This is our opportunity to show our appreciation, gratitude and respect.”
During Friday’s meeting, Raymond Doby, President of the original Moore County Veteran’s Memorial Committee said he only became aware of Zucchino’s design on December 17, during a meeting of the Design Subcommittee of the Memorial Advisory Committee.
Doby asked why he was not involved in the design process.
Zucchino said he was asked to create a landscaping idea for the Memorial and the three adjoining acres at the beginning of December of 2012.
Doby was reminded by Hendrick that the original Moore County Veteran’s Memorial Committee -- including Doby himself -- had unanimously approved Zucchino's design before it was presented on Friday.
Subcommittee Charged with Developing Second Design
Moore County Board of Commissioner Jimmy Melton, who presided over Friday's meeting, recommended that the Design Subcommittee, under the leadership of Social Services Director John Benton, meet to discuss a second concept design.
“We are going to look at all avenues, said Melton. “This is just one concept.”
Coming up with a second design concept may be tricky, since the Design Subcommittee has no budget to pay for it. Zucchino donated his time and design.
The Design Subcommittee will meet on January 28 at 9:30 am at the Department of Social Services building in Carthage to begin the process of developing a second design.
Moore County Board of Commissioners Chairman Nick Picerno reminded the Committee that “there is no hurry” to come up with a plan for the Veteran’s Memorial.
“You have the time,” said Picerno. “And nothing is going to happen down there until we’ve explored all options. The right thing is to get it right.”
The Commissioners took the three acres of land adjacent to the Memorial off the market and are not entertaining any offers to purchase it until the Veteran’s Memorial Advisory Committee has completed its work.
The current Memorial holds 8,000 names of Veterans. Benton told the group that there are an estimated 3,200 names that still need to be added to the granite slabs at the site.
However, due to privacy concerns, those names and records have been sealed for up to fifty years. Any Veteran who has ever lived in Moore County can add their name to the Memorial for a $30 fee.
The Veteran’s Advisory Committee will not met again until a second design concept is presented to them by the Subcommittee.
