Overview: To honor, to gather, to celebrate, to pray, to support, to educate and to remember. Our vision of the Station Memorial site is to create a unique environment to support all of these needs. An extraordinary bridge will carry visitors across a moving stream leaving the bustling world behind and transporting them into a space carefully designed to accommodate those that wish to commune and those that require solitary reflection. Winding paths will lead up a gentle slope to the prominent feature of the site, a large Meeting House set above a landscape of intimate Memorial Gardens to celebrate the lives of those lost in the tragedy. Each element of this design has been carefully planned to honor the spirit of those who have been lost and the hopes and prayers of those who will never forget.
Entrance: Accommodations for 16 or more vehicles will available at the northern tip of the site with egress from both Cowesett Avenue and Kulas Road. The parking area will also contain a bike-rack and like the rest of the site be completely handicapped accessible.
Memorial Plaque: At the main entrance to the site a memorial plaque will be placed utilizing language selected by a unique competition. The plaque will also contain the dedication dates and names of the SFMF Board of Directors. Embossed in copper it would be ideal if the plaque could be framed with salvaged material from the Station building itself.
The Stream: Originating at the Ripple Pool at the rear of the Meeting House, a narrow stream serpentines its way through the landscape. The stream will not only accent the memorial site as a traditional water feature but also as a physical boundary challenging visitors to take a step forward in healing.
Aeolian Harp Bridge: One of the oldest of all stringed instruments the Aeolian Harp uses only the vibration of the wind to create soothing and ethereal sounds. Our vision is to incorporate these basic acoustic principles into an 8’ x 12’ bridge which will span the stream. The sounds which will emanate from the bridge will literally set the tone for visitors to the memorial. 100 strings, each dedicated to one of the victims, will stretch vertically along the sides of the bridge. As the wind passes through the bridge the harmonic vibrations of each string will resonate creating a musical soundtrack for the site reminding us how music was one of the main forces that originally brought people to this very spot.
The Courtyard: Crossing over the bridge will lead visitors to a 1200 square foot Courtyard situated in the geographical center of the site. Paved in bluestone with a clear view of the Meeting House this area becomes the ideal place to bring visitors together so they can share in the experience. During special events the area can accommodate food services and overflow space for events held at the Meeting House.
The Winding Paths: From the Courtyard, visitors have a choice of walking up the Memorial Steps to the Meeting House or to following one of two Winding Pathways which will guide them through the Memorial Gardens. Strategically placed plantings will partially obscure the journey in order that the traveler will truly embrace the idea of an exploratory pilgrimage as they make their way up to the Meeting House.
The Memorial Gardens: Methodically placed along the Winding Paths will be 100 individualized Memorial Gardens. Nestled in groups of four within a X’ x Y’ space the Gardens will offer private spaces to celebrate those that have been lost through a combination of selected plantings, personal contributions by friends and family members and those artifacts already a part of the temporary memorial. Sitting areas will be situated along the Winding Paths near each grouping to offer a comfortable place for prayer and contemplation.
The Memorial Steps: Leading from the Courtyard to the Meeting House will be a series of 8 steps. Each step will be dedicated to a group representing those which played an important roll in the tragedy and contain a quote, carved into the step, representing that unique group.
1. The Survivors
2. The First Responders
3. The Caregivers
4. The Volunteers
5. The Clergy
6. The Family Members
7. The Friends
8. The State
The overall goal of the memorial steps is to tell the Station Nightclub Fire story in the succinct but heartfelt words of the many people so deeply touched by the event.
The Ripple Pool: In the days and nights following February 20th, 2003 a wave of sorrow swept across the state of Rhode Island and far beyond. To capture how this one event affected so many, a Ripple Pool will be placed to the rear of the Meeting House. A spout will be situated above the pool and engineered in such a way that water will drip into the pool creating a series of gentle ripples. The Ripple Pool will also be the originating point of The Stream.
The Meeting House: At the heart of the site, situated in an elevated grade at the far Southwest area of the lot, will be the Meeting House. The post and beam structure will be approximately 18’ by 24’ and open to a porch at the front. The porch, which overlooks the Courtyard, can be utilized as a stage for special events. Wall space in the covered area will be used to display photos and stories outlining the history of the Station, the night of the fire and the aftermath of the event. An interactive kiosk can be situated in a securable area of the Meeting House and use multi-media to showcase various aspects of the Station story. At the rear of the Meeting House, bisecting the back wall, visitors can get a clear view the Ripple Pool below.
Notes:
Lighting: It is paramount that the memorial site be visually appealing both during the day and at night. To that end, unobtrusive lighting will be installed to highlight each Memorial Garden, guide visitors along the Winding Path and illuminate the Meeting House in a dramatic fashion.
Sound: It is imagined that the sounds from the Ripple Pool, water features and the Aeolian Harp Bridge will be the predominant background soundtrack of the site. In order to accommodate special events a simple public address audio system will be permanently installed in the Meeting House.
Infrastructure: An irrigation system should also be included in the plan to tend to the Memorial Gardens. Electrical and pumping equipment for the site will be located in a basement below the Meeting House and accessed through a bulkhead masked with plantings.
Sponsorship Opportunities: The financial aspects of this undertaking cannot be overlooked. While the plan accommodates a large number of elements which may be supported by private sponsorships such attributions should be contained to an area outside of the main memorial site. It is recommended that a space situated on the Western side of the parking area be set aside to offer credit to the many companies.