Editors Note:  Following the publication of this article, Cumming officials revisited the issue, and have changed course. 

The latest story is here: https://www.forsythnews.com/local/local-government/cummings-veterans-war-memorial-wont-be-coming-down-after-all/

After 27 years, the city of Cumming’s Veterans War Memorial is coming down over safety concerns due to the structure’s condition, but components may be repurposed for a new war memorial at the proposed City Center.

On Tuesday, April 16, the Cumming City Council voted unanimously during their regular meeting to take down the structure. Work will begin on Thursday, April 18, according to a press release from the city.

“It’s heartbreaking for all of us,” City Administrator Phil Higgins said. “I remember when we built the monument. But, unfortunately, it’s time.”

The memorial has been a fixture of the downtown area since it was dedicated in 1992 and the site of its annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Designed by a five-member committee and built by county resident Gregory Johnson, the monument featured a pedestal for each war from the Civil War through the Persian Gulf War with the names of city and county residents who fought and died in each conflict, as well as bronze sculptural pieces of various items from those time periods.

The city’s street department noticed significant damage to the foundation of the monument about three weeks ago, Higgins said. Two monument companies and Johnson examined the monument and memorial grounds and determined the damage was from excessive moisture, Higgins said. All agreed the monument should be taken down, he said.

Council members voted to authorize funds for the work. Higgins said the cost of the removal couldn’t be determined until crews began the work and the extent of the damage was known.

As many marble tiles and brass fixtures as possible will be salvaged and stored at city facilities, Higgins said, in hopes of repurposing them for a new veterans memorial, which will be located at the new City Center on Hwy. 20, according to the city’s press release, which is expected to break ground later this year.

Meanwhile, the city’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies are still expected to be held at the current memorial site, according to the press release, and the site's Avenue of Flags display will remain intact until it can be designed into the City Center’s new veterans memorial.

“(We’re) going to be doing something bigger and better at the City Center,” Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow said.