After meeting for months, a committee presented a plan for a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial that would pay tribute to his famous speeches.
By SHANNON TAN
Published October 29, 2003
LARGO - Peace lilies envelop a granite lectern engraved with the picture of Dr. Martin Luther King. Freedom banners flap in the wind near a community water fountain. King's quotations dot the cement slabs surrounding the reflecting pool.
This is how members of a committee envision "The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Plaza" in Largo Central Park.
The five-member committee presented the proposal to the City Commission on Tuesday, after meeting for more than three months.
Their goal: to create a memorial that is visible, usable and educational.
"We wanted to do something for Largo that we thought would be unique," said the Rev. Arnold Johnson, committee chairman.
Committee members suggested placing the memorial at the plaza area adjacent to the existing library.
A black granite lectern with King's picture and a quotation would serve to remind the community of King's role as an orator and motivator.
Several of King's notable quotations would be sandblasted into cement slabs so students could make rubbings during field trips.
A community water fountain symbolizing unity would allow three or four people to drink at the same time.
The reflecting pool would feature multicolored rocks inscribed with King's inspirational words.
The estimated cost: $19,100.
"Nothing right now is in concrete," Johnson told commissioners. " . . . You have the final decision."
For more than a year, Largo has tried to decide how, where and when to honor the slain civil rights leader.
Not everyone wanted to name a street for King and those who supported it couldn't agree on which street.
Then, a festival on Martin Luther King Day was proposed and residents from neighboring Ridgecrest, a predominantly black area, were invited. Largo is nearly 93 percent white.
But Ridgecrest, which has its own celebration, asked the city to join them instead.
Largo declined and canceled the event, holding a vigil in January instead.
City officials eventually decided to create the memorial in Largo Central Park.
In July, a committee of residents was asked to develop a design not exceeding a cost of $15,000.
"This is a quantum leap forward," said Commissioner Charlie Harper, who had proposed renaming a street after King. "This is what Largo and a lot of cities like Largo needed to have done a long time ago. It's showing we care and we mean it and it's setting a new direction for Largo."
Commissioners didn't like the idea of the banners and suggested holding off on the water fountain.
Mayor Bob Jackson wondered if the committee could look at other locations for the memorial.
The memorial would serve as the focal point for the annual Martin Luther King Candlelight Vigil. Other events such as a gospel choir concert and interfaith picnic could be held there.
The committee said they were willing to continue working on the project until the memorial is completed.
Other committee members are: Beth Darnell, Wanda McCawthan, Anne Scofield, and Rodney Woods.
Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts director Joan Bryne and parks superintendent Greg Brown served as advisers to the committee.
