City Approves COVID-19 Memorial Design

LONG BEACH, CA — The Long Beach City Council unanimously approved a design for a COVID-19 memorial statue named the "Twin Arches" to honor those who lost their lives and those who were impacted by the pandemic.

The approval at the city council's last meeting advanced PAO Design's memorial concept design and further technical studies for the development of the display will occur. Just last month the city solicited submissions from artists for designs for the COVID-19 Memorial and a committee of community professionals selected PAO Design.

“I am honored to have concluded my final City Council meeting with the approval of this plan,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “The proposed artwork beautifully honors the members of our community lost to COVID-19 and the lives impacted by the pandemic.”

City council members approved a $20,000 contract for one year in order for PAO Design to put the final touches on the design and develop comprehensive cost estimates for the rest of the project. The money provided came from one-time funding from the General Fund in the amount of $650,000 and an additional $200,000 in Measure A funds for the Capital Projects fund group in the Public Works Department.

The location of "Twin Arches" will either be at the Civic Center Plaza of Rainbow Harbor Lighthouse the city said. City officials said the selected design will create an opportunity for interaction with the artwork as well as provide opportunities for social gathering and healing.

“I look forward to collaborating with PAO Design and the Advisory Committee to build the memorial in our Civic Center hub,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “This COVID-19 Memorial will bring people together from all walks of life to remember our loved ones and to help us heal as a city from the tragic losses we experienced during the pandemic.”

Earlier this year, Long Beach also unveiled a digital COVID-19 memorial which can be found at the city's site.