Washington Monument proposed to council

The Washington City Council will look into the physical impact of a proposed “Washington Monument” that could be erected in the middle of the intersection of 3rd and C Streets in downtown Washington. Derek Bruna, representing the Washington Rotary Club, said the club originally proposed a similar idea as their 2005 Rotary Centennial project, but the project was delayed.
Now, he said funds have grown for the project as has membership in the club, and along with it the size of the project has grown from a center island with a sign board to a monument with a sign board.
The monument itself would be an approximately 20-foot tall obelisk – basically a downsized version of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
According to the National Park Service web site, the Washington Monument is the most prominent, as well as one of the older, attractions in Washington, D.C. It was built in honor of George Washington, who led the country to independence, and then became its first President. The Monument is shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, 555’ 5/8” high, and averages 30 to 40 miles visibility in clear weather. It was finished on December 6, 1884.
The local monument would follow the design specifications of a proper obelisk, which is 10 feet of height for every foot of width and topped with a small pyramid.
Bruna said the club was figuring on a $20,000 price tag for the project, which would include the electronic sign, the monument structure and labor. But they already have around $6,000 in advertising (which would appear on the base) and they have been seeking corporate support too.
“(The club) doesn’t feel like money will be a problem,” said Bruna.
Bruna said Bradford Built was contacted about making the actual obelisk structure, which would be hollow and covered with stucco. They’ve also talked to Charlie Walters about the base and Clinton Stamm about the bricks or pavers.
The base would be about five feet tall, with a 20-foot obelisk on top of that. The base would be covered by bricks or pavers, but that has not yet been finalized. The electronic sign would be about 3-feet by 4-feet and would be black with red lettering viewable from both the north and the south.
Bruna said the city could generate some revenue by posting appropriate messages on the sign, like birthday or anniversary announcements like some businesses in other communities do with sign boards. Calendar items would likely be a free service on the sign.
The council decided it would need to get a visual idea of what sort of impact the structure would have on the intersection before they decide whether or not to approved the project. The plan is to set a date to draw out a circle and put up some palettes or another temporary structure to see if a five foot tall base would be a problem and if traffic flow would be affected.
Bruna said the club would be willing to work with the design to accommodate any issues that might arise. Originally an 8-foot base with vegetation was proposed in the middle of a roundabout, but the plan has been changed.
City administrator Kurt Hassler said this intersection would technically be considered a “traffic circle,” rather than a roundabout, since the stop signs would stay. He said he wasn’t concerned about cars and pickups getting around the intersection, but a semi might have a problem… but he still thought there would be enough room.
Vehicles would decide for themselves whether they go around the structure when turning or pass in front of it.
Hassler said the city would also have to put together policies on what is put on the sign or what fees to charge for messages and a separate fund could be set up dedicated to the sign. A memo of understanding was also suggested for who would take care of what on the initial construction of the project, since it would be turned over to the city when complete.
Bruna concluded that the project was originally an idea to replace the sign that used to be wheeled out into the intersection to announce special events. That sign was ruined a couple years ago, and now people use saw horses or barrels in the intersection on occasion.