Missouri City is working to reach its fundraising goal of $750,000 needed to begin the first phase of construction on its veterans memorial project.

In May, City Council approved city staff’s recommendation to contract formal design plans with LMA Design LLC for the park, which will be located near City Hall on Texas Parkway.

“Our hope is before the end of the year to achieve the $750,000,” City Manager Anthony Snipes told council. “Groundbreaking probably will take place in November and hopefully be completed eight months later.”

The first phase includes building the memorial and a shallow pond. Snipes estimates the project will cost $1.5 million with annual maintenance costs of about $24,000.

In 2011, City Council and staff expressed a need for a veterans memorial in Missouri City.

Three years later, the city held a design competition where LMA Design Principal Lloyd Lentz’s design won.

The design will include a fountain, an eternal flame, arched columns and a five-point star, symbolizing the life, freedom, bravery, sacrifice and strength veterans represent, Lentz said.

“I am thrilled the city is moving forward with this,” Lentz said. “This is going to be an integral part of people’s recreation and education, not just a memorial space.”

Although the project stalled due to a lack of funds, it was renewed in 2018 when the Missouri City Parks Foundation took over fundraising, gaining commitments from companies, including Niagara Bottling LLC, the George Foundation and H-E-B, Snipes said.

The city plans to collaborate with Fort Bend ISD and Stafford MSD for field trip opportunities.

“They will be able to hear veterans speak about their experiences and be a part of a video,” Snipes said.