‘It’s going to be healing;’ Oregon District mass shooting memorial one step closer to being built

DAYTON — The City of Dayton is one step closer to having a permanent memorial built in the Oregon District that will honor the nine victims of the 2019 mass shooting.

On Tuesday afternoon, artists presented their designs for the memorial.

>> PHOTOS: Artist Designs For Oregon District Mass Shooting Memorial

“It’s never good when we build a memorial but it’s going to be healing for our community,” said Sandra Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “It’s going to be a place where people can continue to heal their hearts.”

The process of finding who will build the memorial began with close to 40 artists pitching ideas. Now it’s down to just five.

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“We’re just thrilled at the quality of the artist teams we have put together,” Gudorf said.

One of those teams is the Seed of Life. Terry Welker is the team leader, and he wants to create a space featuring a time capsule.

A poetry dynamic, large mosaic and nine pillars for each victim.

“The nine pillars of remembrance that are internally lit and with personalized mosaics on them,” Welker said.

The team said if they are chosen, it would be “amazing.”

“No place on the planet can boast about some of the things that have come out of this very city so it would just make me feel very proud,” said James Pate, Seed of Life artist.

The committee believes whichever artist is ultimately selected, the piece will become a staple.

“This was a very tragic incident and a place where survivors and families can go and know that their loved ones are still being remembered,” Gudorf said.

Two other artists presented their ideas as well. The remaining artists present Wednesday and an ultimate decision on what will be built will happen later this summer.

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Designs For Oregon District Mass Shooting Memorial Dayton is one step closer to having a permanent memorial built in the Oregon District that will honor the nine victims of the 2019 mass shooting

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