As the January 15th deadline for Seattle (Alki) Statue of Liberty Plaza Project fundraising draws near, organizers Paul and Libby Carr have issued another financial update this weekend regarding what they’ve raised and what they’re still trying to bring in:
We wanted to give you a new financial report concerning our progress on Fundraising for the Statue of Liberty since we are rapidly approaching our deadline of Jan. 15th. We will stop actively raising funds on that date, but we will continue accepting funds as they come in.
We are happy to report that we are now within $25,000 of our total goal. We have 10 days left until our official fund-raising deadline. However, we definitely want to raise a bit more so there is a cushion for contingencies, such as possible increased costs in building materials, backs on some of the benches, etc. Also, we just want to be sure there is really enough money to build this design, including the landscaping, so we can get it all done at one time. That would be really nice!
We wanted to include a few photos here and make a few comments to answer several points that people on your Blog have written about in the past:
1. Since there have been numerous comments about keeping the existing pedestal (the design was too “fancy”), we wanted to share with you a series of photos we took in November of a person climbing all the way up to the statue to give her a big hug, and in broad daylight nonetheless! This photo is a clear reminder of what is the original and inherent problem with the existing pedestal and why it needs to be replaced, and not just “spiffed up.”
Here’s that photo montage – text of the SSLPP update continues after it:
2. It was decided some time ago raising the money to build the new pedestal would be done by selling bricks for a new plaza. That design would replace the planter and buckled asphalt, and would be a more people-friendly installation. It’s also been a way to bring the Alki and West Seattle community together as the vast majority of residents have clearly wanted to do this design, as evidenced by their donations.
3. There were plenty of public meetings too where people made suggestions; these were incorporated in the final plaza design. (WSB note: The Carrs photographed the meeting timeline that was posted at the 9/13/07 public meeting; they say it will be on their website at sealady.org later today.)
Finally, we want to extend a big Thank You to all of West Seattle and Alki residents who have stepped up to the plate and donated money and time to this campaign. As an example that this is a well-loved project here, we are attaching a map showing where most of the donors live who have contributed thus far. (WSB note: That map won’t work in the image size we use here but it too will be at sealady.org) We have received money from far away places like Anchorage, Brooklyn, NY. and cities around the country, but the vast majority of contributors live in West Seattle. So a bigThank You, and please, still send money (206-938-8721) to take us over the top on this plaza project.
And, yes, the Holiday Brick Special is still on to the end of the campaign on Jan. 15 (three bricks for the price of two). We have not yet sold 1,000 bricks and there is room in the design for 6,000, so please help to fill up the plaza with inscribed bricks. Also, if you would like to volunteer 3 hours and participate in our viral campaign of telling your friends about this opportunity, please call us. We have easy tasks you can do to spread the word to your friends who want to be a part of this historic and special place. Lastly, we still have 5 benches for sale (out of 14) for $5000, 3 landscape plaques (out of 6) for $2000 and there is still plenty of room on the Major Donor plaque that will go on the front of the statue. Let’s finish this project — completely!
Thanks.
Libby & Paul Carr, Co-Chairs
Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project
206-938-8720 or -8721
More info: www.sealady.org
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