Almost nine months after the deadly fire that ravaged Grenfell Tower in London’s North Kensington neighborhood killed 71 people, the British government has announced its commitment to collaborating with survivors, bereaved families, and the community in planning for a memorial on the tower site.
On March 1, the government released a document outlining principles for determining how the area where the charred tower currently stands can be used in the future. Though “the decision on what happens to the site in the future will not be led by the government or local authority,” these entities will remain in place to carry out the wishes of the community, according to the document.
“The future of Grenfell Tower site has been a major source of anxiety for the bereaved, survivors and local community not least because it is the final resting place of the loved ones we lost in the fire,” said Grenfell United chair Shahin Sadafi in a press release. “We hope working together to create a fitting memorial will be part of a healing process for everyone affected.”
The tower is expected to be torn down by the end of 2018.
