Earlier this month, the City Council approved a plan that utilizes both public and private funds to pay for the construction of the Metrolink Memorial Plaza at the Simi Valley train station.

In May, the city received $195,479 in Community Development Block Grant funds through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The city will use $100,000 of that to fund the memorial, which is estimated to cost $151,500.

The project is eligible for the funding because it is located in a low- and moderate-income area, would generate jobs, provides an investment in infrastructure with longterm community benefit within a major transportation hub, and is shovel-ready.

The balance of the project cost will be generated through community fundraising. The Simi Valley Community Foundation has established a Metrolink Memorial Plaza Fund—administered at no cost to the city—to which individuals and organizations can make donations for the project.

However, in order to complete the project by the first anniversary of the crash, the council also authorized a $51,500 shortterm loan from the Community Development Agency.

Fronting the project with general fund monies will allow construction to move forward while private donations accrue. The agency will be repaid as the Metrolink Memorial Plaza Fund receives donations.

—Carissa Marsh

Editor's Note: If you'd like to make a donation towards the creation of the memorial and benefit the Simi Valley Acorn, please see our voluntary subscription drive form on page 4.