Gatlinburg — Gatlinburg city leaders hope to have a groundbreaking ceremony for a memorial to the 2016 wildfires around the second anniversary of the tragedy.
Fourteen people died when the fires raged out of control on the night of November 28. Thousands of buildings were also damaged or destroyed.
WILDFIRES REMEMBERED: Complete coverage of the 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfires
On the first anniversary of the fire, local leaders announced plans for a permanent memorial to the victims. It will be built in the north part of Gatlinburg and will include a walking bridge and reflective pool.
The city and Sevier County have provided the cost of the $453,000 needed to begin the first phase of the project, which is to acquire the property, according to a report by Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy Ogle to commissioners.
Ogle said leaders may also able to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Grant from TDOT that could cover up to 80% of construction costs for the project.
Once they break ground, Ogle said the goal is have the project completed in nine months.