(RANCHO CUCAMONGA)— Today, Assembly Majority Leader Emerita Eloise Gómez Reyes presented a $3.2 million check to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for the construction of their 9/11 Memorial Park. The check represented state funding, obtained by Reyes, in this year’s state budget. Rancho Cucamonga City Council, as well as staff from the city and fire district, joined Reyes for the event.
The 1.3 acre 9/11 Memorial Park will be located on Town Center Drive, east of Haven Avenue and adjacent to Fire Station 178. The park’s design will be centered around three artifacts from the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001: steel from the World Trade Center, material from Flight 93 and material from the Pentagon. The city has worked toward this park’s creation since 2002, when remnants from the attacks were temporarily displayed.
“I commend the City of Rancho Cucamonga for their dedication to funding their 9/11 Memorial Park,” said Reyes. “In the years since the attacks, they have remained devoted to providing a place for the community to honor and remember those we lost on that September morning. With this funding, we look forward to the park’s construction.”
“For over 20 years, the City of Rancho Cucamonga has desired to give the three donated 9/11 remnants a permanent home,” said Mayor L. Dennis Michael. “We are honored that Assembly Majority Leader Emerita Eloise Gómez Reyes supported our vision and advocated for the funding to make the 9/11 Memorial Park a reality.”
“By building the 9/11 Memorial Park alongside our newest fire station, we are proud to make it more than just a fire station,” said Fire Chief Mike McCliman. “Thanks to Assembly Majority Leader Emerita Eloise Gómez Reyes’ efforts, we are creating a regional space for people to come together to pay their respects and reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2011.”
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, the Majority Leader Emerita of the California State Assembly, is available for interviews in Spanish and English. She represents Assembly District 50, which includes all or parts of the cities of Colton, Fontana, Loma Linda, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino, as well as unincorporated Bloomington.