This year marks the second anniversary of the fatal Market building collapse. As family, friends and city officials gathered to remember the victims, a large rendering of the future June 5th Memorial Park was unveiled last Friday.

Mayor Michael Nutter presented family members of the six people killed in the June 5, 2013 building collapse at 22nd and Market St. with replicas of color windows that will be included in the memorial sculpture.

The commemoration also served as a reminder that the park will be built only after all the necessary funds are raised. The Philadelphia Art Commission approved the final design last week.  

Nutter announced that the city would donate $300,000 toward the planned memorial park. "I want the work to start now," Nutter said, of the still-underfunded memorial park effort. "We need to move forward," the Allentown Morning Call reported.

“On June 5, 2013, Philadelphia suffered a terrible tragedy when six lives were lost at the building collapse at 22 and Market Streets,” said Mayor Nutter.  “And while we are still heartbroken over this two years later, our city is continuously working to ensure that this type of tragedy never happens again.”  

Memorial Park Committee member, Brandywine Realty Trust CEO Jerry Sweeney noted that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of in-kind contributions have been made by companies like construction manager Driscoll and engineering firm Pennoni Associates, but he indicated the effort still has a way to go.

“Even with all of those donated services, we are depending on public support to help raise the cash to pay for the rest. This is a very small piece of land, but in order to build an appropriately beautiful, sustainable park we estimate we will need approximately $1.3 million,” Sweeney said.

Architect Scott Aker explained he researched memorial parks from around the world to help inform the appropriate design for the site, although he said the final product is unique to Philadelphia.

Memorial sculpture artist Barbara Fox talked about her design being inspired by victim Anne Bryan’s last art piece. Bryan, like Fox, had studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Bryan’s mother, City Treasurer Nancy Winkler, has led the all-volunteer committee in the campaign to build the memorial park both as a lasting tribute to the victims and an ongoing reminder that development should be done responsibly.

“For too long the importance of governmental oversight of building construction, demolition and maintenance in safeguarding public safety was given short shrift in this city, and we paid a heavy price for it,” Winkler said. “City Council and Mayor Nutter have begun the work of reform but it will take time, effort, vigilance and funding. Philadelphia can and must do better.”

The memorial sculpture will consist of three tall granite stones. The six victims’ names will be etched into the granite. 

Those who wish to contribute to the June 5th Memorial Park fund are asked to please visit PennHort.net