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CENTRAL POINT Vietnam Wall replica gets a boost $500,000 project will be built at Don Jones Memorial Park Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 2:04 PM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 2:04 PM » Social News CENTRAL POINT — A Southern Oregon replica of the Vietnam Wall is inching toward reality after supporters were given an official nod last week for a location inside Don Jones Memorial Park. Preliminary designs and a site plan application have been submitted to city officials, and the City Council authorized City Manager Chris Clayton to provide a letter of support ensuring the wall could be constructed as soon as funding is secured for the $500,000 project. Russ McBride of Southern Oregon Veterans Benefit said his group's fundraising effort has been going slowly, but official recognition by the city will help with grant-seeking and community support. "We're trying to keep the momentum going and let everyone know we're still moving forward. We were waiting for a letter from the city of Central Point stating that we were approved for the area," McBride said. McBride, a Vietnam veteran who saw action during the Tet Offensive in 1968, said $150,000 would be needed to start construction of the wall, including the etching of more than 58,000 names of those killed during the Vietnam War. His organization plans to sell $100 bricks to fund wall construction and will seek grants and community contributions. "If we sell 3,000 bricks, we can build the wall. We only need $150,000 for them to start construction," he said. Plans for the project were announced last summer. Initial discussions called for putting the wall in Medford Veteran's Park along Highway 99 near Stewart Avenue. The new location will allow the wall to be 50 percent bigger, McBride said, and it will fit in well with the nearby Oregon Fallen War Heroes Memorial and a historic cemetery that borders Hamrick and Vilas roads. McBride said the memorial, designed by architect John Duffiet, will give Southern Oregonians a chance to pay their respects without a trek to Washington. The wall will be 360 feet long and 8 feet tall, and will be an 80 percent replica of the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. Constructed of lightweight anodized aluminum, it will be built by AVTT Custom Engraving of Flint, Texas, builder of the traveling wall. McBride said the group would likely miss its goal of having the memorial in place by Veteran's Day, but he was optimistic momentum would increase now that the design and location have been finalized. Clayton said the city supports the project, and he agreed the city park was an ideal location. Clayton said city officials are working on parking concerns and issues related to the size of the memorial. "From what I've heard, people are a little concerned about parking and about the size of the memorial," said Councilor Rick Samuelson. "I think the size and scope of the wall, and the way they're planning to lay it out, won't interfere at all with how people are using the park. ... There are likely to be some issues a handful of days a year, so we do need to have a plan in place for that. ... It's a very good first for the park as long as everything is figured out in advance." To learn more about the project, call 541-778-3171 or see www.sovb.org . Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 2:04 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... 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