STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
To:
From:
Subject:
Honorable Mayor & City Council
Nancy Hunt-Coffey, City Manager
Recommendations By the 10/7 Permanent Memorial Committee Regarding Selection of “Shared Light Between Us” By Atelier Eyester Architecture (Jeffrey J. Eyster), Including Material Selection for and Placement of the Plaza and Focal Piece
Attachments: 1. Images of proposed materials, mockup and approximate location
INTRODUCTION
At the meeting on March 24th, the City Council expressed a desired to change designs for the October 7th Permanent Memorial. The Council considered “Shared Light Between Us” by Atelier Eyester Architecture. The Council had a number of questions related to the “Shared Light” design, so staff and the 10/7 Permanent Memorial Committee have worked with Mr. Eyester to address these concerns. Mr. Eyester has prepared various mockups to help answer these questions and facilitate the decision-making process.
DISCUSSION
At the March 24th meeting, the City Council considered “Shared Light Between Us” by Atelier Eyester Architecture as the new design for the 10/7 Permanent Memorial. The Councilmembers had questions regarding the piece at the center of the plaza. The questions revolved around the material selection for the focal piece (stainless, corten, etc.), how the names would be cut into the metal, how they would be joined together, etc. There was also a desire to develop the landscape concept further, further examine the placement of the plaza/focal piece, etc. The Council also directed that the memorial should be constructed in one phase rather than splitting it into three phases. The Council also indicated that construction on the piece should not commence before the funds are raised to complete the project.
To answer some of these questions, Mr. Eyester has created various mockups, and the Council and 10/7 Permanent Memorial Committee were offered one or more opportunities to view the mockups in situ. Staff will schedule one or more additional opportunities to view these items in the future.
Mr. Eyester created samples of the focal piece in stainless steel, corten steel and raw steel. The Committee members met on 4/20 at the site of the proposed memorial. The Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
members who were present favored the corten steel over the stainless choice. Corten requires less maintenance. The committee liked the color and patina of the metal and the fact that it is “self-healing” if there is damage. They liked the fact that the corten is not rough and doesn’t rust. The raw steel example was provided for the Committee to consider the font size and to show the names of the victims in the original language and in English.
The metal plates can be joined in 6-13 layers which would create a piece that is between 3”-5” in thickness. The Committee felt that fewer layers should be used to provide more sunlight through the letters. The committee also felt that the font size as originally proposed at approximately ¾” should be increased.
After visiting the site, the Committee felt that the plaza shape should be circular but that it should be relocated higher on the site, between the two large pine trees. The approximate location is marked by the red arrow in the image below.
The Committee felt that the topography of the location would allow the piece to be more visible, since it would be higher on the site but also more protected from cars that may hop the curb from the street. The Committee also favored a circular shaped plaza, rather than the more trapezoidal one that had been originally contemplated.
The Committee indicated that lighting was very important. Lights could be mounted on the two pine trees to help illuminate the piece. Mr. Eyester is also working on the possibility of having the piece lit from within.
Additionally, Mr. Eyester created a mockup of the piece itself using concrete board to provide a sense for how the light will show through the letters, the font size, thickness, etc. Images of this mockup are included in Attachment 1. The Committee was generally supportive of the mockup’s design, its ability to capture light, and felt that it provided an elegant way to honor the victims of the 10/7 attack.
Since the 4/20 site visit, Mr. Eyester has provided a sample of the corten steel with the name carved at 1” height which appears to allow for greater visibility/readability.
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
The Council is asked to provide feedback on the various aspects of the Memorial that have been developed since the March 24th meeting. For example:
--Do the mockups and material selections resolve the questions regarding how the names would be cut into the metal and joined together?
--Does the Council support the recommendation to use corten steel? --Does the Council recommend the revised location of the plaza and the circular shape?
FISCAL IMPACT
The City Council has allocated $500,000 toward the creation of the permanent 10/7 memorial. Fundraising continues toward raising the funds needed to construct the memorial.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss the ad hoc/committee recommendations regarding the selection of materials, placement, plaza shape, etc. for the design of the October 7th Permanent Memorial related to “Shared Light Between Us” by Atelier Eyester Architecture (Jeffrey J. Eyster).
Nancy Hunt-Coffey
City Manager
Approved By
Attachment 1
October 7th Memorial Mockups and Samples
Attachment 1
Corten steel, stainless steel, raw steel
Concrete board sample
Sample with font size between 1”-1.5”