THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 21, 1997 TAG: 9701210256
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 56 lines
A contractor for Norfolk's long-awaited Martin Luther King monument could be announced as early as next week, an organizer said Monday.
Directors of the Joe Jordan Foundation have narrowed the field of five bidders to three local, minority-owned firms, said William Jordan, a foundation director and brother of the late Joseph A. Jordan Jr.. The Norfolk judge and City Council member dreamed of seeing the memorial to the slain civil rights leader erected at the intersection of Church Street and Brambleton Avenue.
William Jordan said last week that the $500,000 goal had finally been reached after two decades of fund-raising. However, he said, all construction bids had come in over budget.
Foundation directors now have their eye on one of the three companies but don't want to discount the others just yet, Jordan said.
``We're still working with contractors to bring the cost down, until we're able to go eyeball-to-eyeball with one. . . .''
The foundation expects work to begin in early spring and be completed by fall.
The goal is to keep the project within budget. Also, hard decisions include a choice of steel or granite for the upper portion of the obelisk and engraving near the base to include the dates of King's birth and death and a quote from his ``I Have a Dream'' speech.
Rerouting traffic at the busy intersection - part of the contractor's cost - will likely be an expensive proposition, said Lionel Brown, permit supervisor for the city. ``It's going to require an extensive detour plan - means shutting down north-south traffic on Church Street.''
A site plan already has been approved, said Brown - next come building and traffic control permits.
Dick Cook, owner of Norfolk Wholesale Floral Corp., near the monument site, said he will place a wreath on the monument and maintain the decoration.
A portion of the proceeds from Monday evening's ``Implement the King Dream'' awards banquet at Norfolk State University will go to the King Monument Fund, Jordan said.
Joseph A. Jordan Jr. was a local civil rights activist who launched the foundation to build and support memorials that symbolize the social contributions of African Americans.
He envisioned the memorial to King at what was once the hub of Norfolk's black community, visible from any point in the inner city and close to other landmarks: NSU, the Attucks Theatre, Booker T. Washington High School. His idea was that most of the money would come from average citizens.
For years, the fund grew slowly, until local businessman Hunter Hogan several years ago issued a call to his white peers to help. Some 1,200 individuals and businesses have given to the fund. MEMO: Contributions to the Martin Luther King Jr. monument fund may be
sent to the Joe Jordan Foundation, c/o William Jordan, 512 W. 35th St.,
Norfolk, Va. 23550.
KEYWORDS: MARTIN LUTHER KING MONUMENT