On 33rd anniversary, fundraising advances for memorial to Hyatt skywalk collapse
The foundation trying to build a memorial to the victims, survivors and rescue workers of the 1981 skywalk disaster at the Hyatt Regency Hotel says it has raised 70 percent of its goal.
The 33rd anniversary of the disaster is Thursday.
The Skywalk Memorial Foundation announced a recent gift of $10,000 from The Builders Association and the Kansas City chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. The group said several law firms also have made contributions.
A spokeswoman for the foundation said board members are reverting to their original plan for the scope of the memorial, after having previously announced they were scaling back their efforts.
The group’s goal is now about $546,000, which includes a 25 percent maintenance endowment that the city is requiring.
Cash, pledges and in-kind donations now total about $383,000.
The memorial is proposed for a site in Hospital Hill Park at 22nd Street and Gillham Road, within view of the hotel where two skywalks collapsed during a big band party, killing 114 people and injuring more than 200 others.
The Kansas City Park board in March approved an extension, until Oct. 5, 2015, of the agreement granting permission to build the memorial in the park.
Board members of the skywalk foundation have invited people interested in learning more to join a gathering from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at La Bodega, 703 Southwest Boulevard. You can also visit the foundation’s website at http://www.skywalkmemorial.org/ or on Facebook.
To reach Matt Campbell, call 816-234-4902 or send email to mcampbell@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published July 15, 2014 at 5:10 PM with the headline "On 33rd anniversary, fundraising advances for memorial to Hyatt skywalk collapse ."