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NewsWSVN 7News – Local NewsAugust 27, 2026Miami-Dade

Surfside Commission approves final design for Champlain Towers South memorial

The Town of Surfside commission has approved a final design for a permanent memorial to the 98 victims of the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse. The approved plan features an image of hands and the victims' names etched in stone, explicitly excluding the use of original building rubble, concrete, or rebar.

memorialpublic workslocal governmentChamplain Towers South
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Why It Matters

The decision settles the design of a public memorial in Surfside, determining how the site of the 2021 building collapse will be commemorated and whether physical remnants of the structure will be included.

Key Facts

  • The Surfside commission approved a final memorial design in July 2022 via a split vote.
  • The final design features an image of hands and the names of the 98 victims etched in stone.
  • The commission explicitly voted to remove concrete slabs and rebar from the design plan.
  • The memorial committee had originally proposed incorporating actual rubble from the collapse into the design.
  • Town officials cited public safety concerns and feedback regarding emotional distress as reasons for removing rubble from the design.
  • The project was previously scaled back due to budget concerns, though some family members claim alternative funding sources were available.
  • Construction timeline for the memorial remains undefined as of late August 2022.
  • Commissioner Gerardo Vildostegui voted against the final design, citing concerns that it 'sugarcoats' the event.

Who's Mentioned

personRaquel Oliveira Leone“Individual involved in the memorial committee process.”locationChamplain Towers South“Site of the 2021 building collapse.”personShlomo Danzinger“Mayor of Surfside who supports the current design.”organizationMiami-Dade County“Potential funding source for the memorial.”personMartin Langesfeld“Family member of a victim who opposes the current memorial design.”other98“Number of victims who died in the collapse.”personGerardo Vildostegui“Town of Surfside Commissioner who voted against the final design.”