On November 12, 2006, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg together with the families and friends of the victims of the Flight 587 tragedy and the Belle Harbor community dedicated a memorial by the artist Freddy Rodriguez at Beach 116th Street in Belle Harbor, Queens to honor the memory of the 265 who were lost on November 12, 2001.
In consultation with the families and the Belle Harbor community, the design was developed for the memorial by Rodriguez with the preliminary and schematic design consultant Situ Studio, and the design team of the Department of Parks & Recreation Capital Division, Kaitsen Woo Architect, P.C., McGregor Consulting, Signe Nielsen Landscape Architect, P.C. STV Incorporated, and Situ Studio is the preliminary and Schematic Design Consultant to the Artist. This multi-agency was spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office in collaboration with the Art Commission, Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program, Department of Design and Construction, and Department of Transportation. Construction was implemented by URS Corporation, Whitestone Contracting Corp., Ottavino Corporation, ARA Plumbing, C.D.E. Air Conditioning Co. Eldor Electric and Soil Solutions. The cost of the memorial is approximately $9.2 million, including the reconstruction of two adjacent comfort stations, construction of ADA comfort station and upgrade of existing lifeguard station and associated infrastructure. Public support was provided for the design and construction of the memorial. The City is raising private support for a maintenance endowment for the memorial.
The selection process began in the spring of 2005 that resulted in 68 design submissions, from which the six finalists were chosen. The selection panel, comprised of representatives of the families of the victims, the community, arts professionals and City agencies, chose Freddy Rodriguez's design with Situ Studio, preliminary and schematic design consultant in November 2005.
Download the RFP (in PDF )
The Mayor’s Office extends its appreciation to the following for their generous support and assistance:
Alianza Dominicana, Inc., The Beach Club, Belle Harbor Garden Club, Belle Harbor Property Owners Association, Committee in Memory of Flight 587, Community Association of Progressive Dominicans, Inc. (ACDP), Columbia University, Community Board 14, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute of the City College of New York, Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Department of Records and Information Services, Department of Sanitation, Design Selection Panel, Dominican American Culture Interchange Foundation, Economic Development Corporation, Fire Department, Friends of Tribute Park, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, HHS Foundation, Hostos Community College of the City University of New York, Isabella Geriatric Center, Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, Carmen Natalia Martinez, Metropolitan Transportation Authority/NYC Transit, Milstein Hospital, Family of Pedro Mir, Neponsit Property Owners Association, NY1 Noticias, NYC TV, Ocean Grande Condominiums, 1-800-Flowers.com, Police Department, Presidencia de la Republica Dominicana, Radio Televisión Dominicana, The Red Cross in Greater New York, Rockaway Artists Alliance, Rockaway Chamber of Commerce, Rockaway Park Homeowners and Residents Association, Satélite y Servicios Técnicos de Televisión S.A., Shore Garden Club, and V.I.T. & Sound.
