MONROE - Community organizations are going to be asked to help design and build an appropriate display for a piece of American history - a 6-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center, destroyed during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"I would like to see a lot of community equity coming on this, because of what it is," Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said.
The 800-pound I-beam was transported to Monroe in late April by members of the Monroe Fire Department. It is on permanent loan to the department from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The beam is believed by port authorities to be part of the floor structure from the South Tower of the World Trade Center, somewhere between the 18th and 64th floors, based on its size and accompanying bolts and metal attachments. It was recovered in late October, 2001 from the debris of the attack.
According to Rausch, Monroe is "one of three community fire departments in Wisconsin to receive an artifact of this size; however, there are many smaller artifacts that have been distributed."
The HERO Center in Burlington, similar to the MERIT Center in Monroe, received a substantial-sized piece, and the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial has received a significant artifact. Rausch said more larger artifacts may be awarded before the program ends this year.
Monroe Fire Department may have received such a large artifact because of the early application the department submitted. Rausch said he heard about the artifact loan program about three years ago while in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, the city's Public Property Committee asked the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners to meet jointly in about two weeks at the fire department headquarters to view the artifact and to determine an appropriate location to display the piece.
As part of the agreement the Fire Department signed to accept the loan, the artifact cannot be cut or altered, except for removing sharp or jagged edges for safety. It can be painted in a neutral color.
But Rausch would like the piece kept as natural as possible and not enclosed, so people can touch it.
Rausch is asking the city to have a location and the display ready for a dedication ceremony on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on America.
"I think it would be appropriate to dedicate it on Sept. 11," he added.
Members of the committee, Rausch and Parks Supervisor Paul Klinzing, discussed various locations around the city to display the huge piece. They considered public safety and protection for the artifact, as well as availability to viewers.
Twining Park was considered more accessible for the public viewing than Sunset Park, a small neighborhood park on 3rd Avenue. But Klinzing said the artifact would also be more exposed to defacing.
Locating the display at the westside fire station or the MERIT Center, to honor firefighters who responded to the Sept. 11 attack, was also considered. Rausch requested a more public location, pointing out that about 3,000 civilians also died that day. Eighty-four Port Authority employees also died in the attack.
Public Property Committee members include Jan Lefevre (chairman), Brooke Bauman, Sara Conway and Michael Boyce (alternate).
"I would like to see a lot of community equity coming on this, because of what it is," Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said.
The 800-pound I-beam was transported to Monroe in late April by members of the Monroe Fire Department. It is on permanent loan to the department from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The beam is believed by port authorities to be part of the floor structure from the South Tower of the World Trade Center, somewhere between the 18th and 64th floors, based on its size and accompanying bolts and metal attachments. It was recovered in late October, 2001 from the debris of the attack.
According to Rausch, Monroe is "one of three community fire departments in Wisconsin to receive an artifact of this size; however, there are many smaller artifacts that have been distributed."
The HERO Center in Burlington, similar to the MERIT Center in Monroe, received a substantial-sized piece, and the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial has received a significant artifact. Rausch said more larger artifacts may be awarded before the program ends this year.
Monroe Fire Department may have received such a large artifact because of the early application the department submitted. Rausch said he heard about the artifact loan program about three years ago while in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, the city's Public Property Committee asked the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners to meet jointly in about two weeks at the fire department headquarters to view the artifact and to determine an appropriate location to display the piece.
As part of the agreement the Fire Department signed to accept the loan, the artifact cannot be cut or altered, except for removing sharp or jagged edges for safety. It can be painted in a neutral color.
But Rausch would like the piece kept as natural as possible and not enclosed, so people can touch it.
Rausch is asking the city to have a location and the display ready for a dedication ceremony on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on America.
"I think it would be appropriate to dedicate it on Sept. 11," he added.
Members of the committee, Rausch and Parks Supervisor Paul Klinzing, discussed various locations around the city to display the huge piece. They considered public safety and protection for the artifact, as well as availability to viewers.
Twining Park was considered more accessible for the public viewing than Sunset Park, a small neighborhood park on 3rd Avenue. But Klinzing said the artifact would also be more exposed to defacing.
Locating the display at the westside fire station or the MERIT Center, to honor firefighters who responded to the Sept. 11 attack, was also considered. Rausch requested a more public location, pointing out that about 3,000 civilians also died that day. Eighty-four Port Authority employees also died in the attack.
Public Property Committee members include Jan Lefevre (chairman), Brooke Bauman, Sara Conway and Michael Boyce (alternate).