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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Two-alarm fire burns house in Central Point ... Crater Lake fire continues to burn near Rim Road ... Lead found in four more SOU facilities ... Two-alarm fire burns house in Central Point ... Crater Lake fire continues to burn near Rim Road ... Lead found in four more SOU facilities ... U.S. CELLULAR PARK It's official, Medford's Vietnam Memorial Wall is a go Medford City Council approves replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 7, 2016 at 5:51 PM Updated Jul 7, 2016 at 6:12 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 7, 2016 at 5:51 PM Updated Jul 7, 2016 at 6:12 PM » Social News Kenny Rogers had something to sing about Thursday after the Medford City Council approved placing a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in U.S. Cellular Community Park. The decision came hours before Rogers was to perform a benefit concert for the project at The Expo in Central Point. The city will enter into a 25-year lease agreement with Southern Oregon Veterans Benefits, allowing the group to erect a scaled version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall on 2.1 acres at the south Medford sports park. "It's a fantastic project," said Councilor Daniel Bunn. Organizers had failed at their attempts to place the wall at Veterans Park in Medford and multiple sites in Central Point in recent years. The memorial will be located between Lowry Lane, which loops through the park, and the Bear Creek Greenway, across the street from Coyote Trails Nature Center. The proposed lease is for $1 a year for a renewable 25-year period. Southern Oregon Veterans Benefits will be responsible for construction, land-use planning and maintenance. "I'm ecstatic," Southern Oregon Veterans Benefits member Ron Kohl said. The wall will cost $300,000, with collateral elements such as trees, benches and site work adding another $200,000. Kohl said he has about $40,000 to work with so far for operating expenses. He said he didn't think it would take long to raise the money to build the aluminum alloy wall now that a location has been determined. "I don't think it will take years," Kohl said. "I think it will take months." He said he thinks he will have the money in hand by the end of the year, along with in-kind contributions. It should take about four months to build the wall, which will have the names of the 58,262 who died in Vietnam, with room to add more names if other remains are found. In addition, landscaping, flag poles and benches will be installed. To reach Kohl, email [email protected] or call 541-500-1274. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 7, 2016 at 5:51 PM Updated Jul 7, 2016 at 6:12 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501