5/14 Memorial Commission Updates

The 5/14 Memorial Commission invites designers (e.g., architects, landscape architects, artists, engineers, etc.) and/or teams of such individuals, to submit concept designs and associated project narratives for a permanent memorial to commemorate the lives lost and lives impacted as a result of the racially motivated mass shooting that took place at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue May 14, 2022 in Buffalo.

Key Dates and Information

• The 5/14 Memorial RFS Released to Public:  October 3^rd.
• Q&A Submission Period: October 3^rd – October 23^rd
• Deadline for Submitting Questions: October 23^rd.
• Answers for Q & A posted 514memorial.com:  October 30^th.
• Design Submission Period Begins: November 1^st.
• Design Submission Period Ends:  4 p.m. / December 18^st
• The Part 1 submissions will be reviewed and the short list to be invited to participate under Part 2 of the process will be selected by January 23, 2024.
• Additionally, the 5/14 Public Participation Survey is still open throughout the month of October.
• Electronic submissions are preferred. The link to upload your submission will be active beginning on November 1, 2023. Applicants will be required to first register on this webpage and fill out an online information form prior to uploading a submission.
• Hardcopy Submissions: If applicants lack the ability to submit electronically, hardcopy submissions will be accepted, but must be accompanied by an electronic version of the submission in Adobe Acrobat© (.pdf) format on a jump drive.
• Hardcopy submissions should be mailed to: 5/14 Memorial Concept Design City Hall 201 65 Niagara Square Buffalo, NY 14202 Email Address for Questions: 514memorial@buffalony.gov Project Website: www.514memorial.com

Public Comment and Participation

Several public meetings took place throughout the summer and fall months in 2023. The public meetings combined with the 5/14 Memorial Public Survey are just a few of the ways The Commission is working to engage the public on this project. The Commission offers a special gratitude to the following: Dr. Amitra A. Wall, associate Provost at Buffalo State College University, James Bachwitz, president of JRBInsights, and Laura Quebral director of the University at Buffalo Regional Institute (UBRI), Bart Roberts UBRI deputy director and the rest of their team for their work with the 5/14 Memorial Survey. 

5/14 Memorial Commission Members

Chair Reverend Mark Blue, Buffalo Chapter NAACP President

Diane Colgan, Senior Vice President, Tops Friendly Markets

Jonathan Dandes, Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Dr. Norm Lewin, Buffalo Arts Commission

Larry Stitts, Jefferson Avenue Business owner

Garnell Whitfield, Family Member 

Julia Bottoms, Visual Artist & Exhibitionist, Albright Knox Gallery

Fragrance Harris Stanfield, Survivor

Zeneta Everhart, Family Member

Steven A. Carmina, President, Carmina Wood Morris

Tiffany Gaines, Curatorial and Digital Content Associate, Burchfield Penney Art Center

5/14 Memorial Commission’s Mission Statement

“The mission of the 5/14 Memorial Commission is to respectfully develop a living and lasting memorial that will honor the survivors and the lives lost during the racially motivated mass shooting in East Buffalo. The living memorial will embrace the wishes of the families, honor the legacies of their loved ones, reflect the wishes of those who lived through the experience, and provide ongoing transparency and comfort to members of the community.”

The 5/14 Memorial Commission will follow a process that will help accomplish this mission.

• The commission will be transparent as decisions are made.
• The commission will inclusively and respectfully involve members of the families.
• The commission will engage in public comment and input.
• The commission will provide periodic updates to the public.
• The commission will involve the Jefferson Avenue community and the community at large.
• The commission will fully vet the type of memorial and the site of the memorial.
• The commission will educate the public about race relations and civil rights.
• The commission will designate a person or persons who are accountable for communications with the public.