Dear Friends of the Monument:

I know we are all grieving for the destruction of major parts of our beloved Los Angeles.  I hope you are safe and getting through this difficult period without loss or major disruption.  It is heartening to see how Angelenos are supporting those who lost their homes and businesses.  It reminds me how we banded together during the height of the AIDS crisis to support and care for each other.

On a happier note, there has been lots of progress in the construction of the Monument as you’ll see below:

MONUMENT CONSTRUCTION PROCESS UPDATE

Concrete was poured on many areas of the site: around where the Traces will be installed, for the bench seating and pedestals, and for the protest podium facing San Vicente Blvd.  See photos below.  Concrete for the donor wall and the curb along San Vicente Blvd. will be poured next.

A contractual hurdle related to a completion bond for the Traces fabricator was cleared after many weeks of discussions and negotiations. Fortunately, the construction schedule has been re-sequenced so that the impact on the estimated Monument completion date is only six (6) weeks. We are now aiming for mid-October for completion of the Monument, pending any further unanticipated developments. The delay is unfortunate, of course, but we are grateful to be back in production on the Traces and expect the first batch of Traces to be installed in early April.

We’ve started planning for the Grand Opening event and after-party.  Details to follow!

If you want to sign up for updates from the City on Monument construction, please visit www.engage.weho.org/aidsmonument and create an account.

STORYTELLING UPDATES

Our story-gathering continues, so please be sure to visit our website www.aidsmonument.org and our social media (@theaidsmonument) on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook:

Social Media update

We posted seven (7) new videos on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook: