The City of Virginia Beach, VA is accepting qualifications from professional design teams, including but not limited to architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, and artists, to create a serene place of quiet reflection, a place of healing for all of those impacted and a remembrance of those lost and injured at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center on May 31, 2019, the stories of their lives, and service to the City.

II HISTORY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

On May 31, 2019, the City of Virginia Beach experienced a mass shooting in a city building at the Municipal Center resulting in the tragic loss of 12 of our community members, physically injuring 5, and impacting countless others, leaving our community forever changed. More information on those lost on May 31 can be found here.

Almost immediately following the tragedy of May 31, the City experienced an outpouring of public support through condolence calls, letters, cards, and gifts, as well as through the creation of a temporary memorial. The temporary memorial was filled with tribute items of all kinds.

The Virginia Beach History Museums staff carefully collected temporary memorial items in mid-July 2019. The items were sorted and photographed, and flash drives were given to the families to select any items they wish to keep, at their own pace, in privacy.

Remaining items from the temporary memorial are stored along with sympathy letters, cards, artwork, and other items received by the City. Together with the future permanent memorial, these items document a significant chapter of our City's history.

For full project information and application submission instructions, please see commission document.