City of Indio to break ground on new 9/11 memorial featuring artifact of the World Trade Center
Gavin Nguyen
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — The City of Indio is preparing to unveil a striking new 9/11 memorial on Thursday, featuring a 12-foot steel artifact from the World Trade Center.
The city provided these artist renderings:
A spokesperson for the city outlined the purpose of the new memorial:
“The proposed design for the Indio 9/11 Memorial Project aims to inspire a sense of collective humanity and community by creating a physical space that invites remembrance and contemplation, and which can act as a catalyst for further conversation and learning.”
According to the city, it was entrusted with the steel beam four to five years ago. In the time since then, it searched for artists, selected a design, and carefully mulled over the best place to put the memorial.
James Dinh is the artist behind the piece. He said he submitted his design in 2023, and he described the thought process that went into it.
“It’s such a moving remnant people will be able to physically touch. I mean, it’s such a powerful gesture,” Dinh explained, referencing the centerpiece of the memorial.
A large, curved steel wall, engraved with “09 11 01” and punched with thousands of tiny holes will serve as a backdrop to the steel beam.
“All these little holes [are] illuminated like they’re intended to be, kind of like a constellation of stars, you know. So, yes, these people are no longer with us, but, you know, their… the memory is always there.”
The city said with the groundbreaking set for Thursday, the finished piece is expected to be done in the next six to nine months. Dinh explained everything still needs to be made – from fabricating the steel backdrop to fixing the steel artifact to the site.
In the meantime, city leaders, like Indio’s Chief of Police, Brian Tully, said they’re excited to see so much time and thought go into the memorial, and are glad the city took the time it needed to find the perfect spot.
“Going forward, what a fantastic place to gather, to remember in Miles Park. And what a great place to have it… I think it’s perfect for our city,” said Chief Tully.