"Ugly as hell." Critique of Surfside collapse memorial complicates project
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A rendering of the planned Champlain Towers South memorial. Image: Keith & Associates via Town of Surfside
Last-minute objections to a planned memorial for the victims of the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse have upset family members who say the project must continue without delay.
The big picture: Commissioners and a family-led memorial committee have already approved design plans for a memorial park near the site of the Champlain Towers South collapse.
- But last month, the town's Planning and Zoning Board criticized the appearance of the project and urged the commission to seek alternative design proposals.
Friction point: At the March 27 meeting, board member Carlos Aparicio, a Surfside architect, called it "ugly as hell" and "the worst thing I've ever seen in my life."
- "It makes me want to throw up, it's that bad," he said.
Aparicio said the memorial project — proposed to include a roughly 20-foot-tall water feature depicting the Champlain Towers and original materials from the building — had "no soul" and looked like "every cliche of every cheap monument that's ever been put together."
- "I will chain myself to this corner until this doesn't happen; this is a monstrosity."
- He told Axios this week that he "never intended to hurt anyone" and was only giving his opinion on the architecture and design of the project.
- "I spoke as an architect who lives in Surfside that has a private opinion on the matter," he wrote in a text message.
The latest: Aparicio resigned April 14 but withdrew his resignation April 17, according to public records released to Axios.
- Aparicio has not responded to questions from Axios about his reversal, but Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett says Aparicio had to resolve "technical issues" related to his qualifications as a board member.
Pablo Langesfeld, whose 26-year-old daughter Nicole Langesfeld died in the collapse, called Aparicio's comments "not only inappropriate but cruel" in an April 2 email to Surfside and Miami-Dade County elected leaders.
- "The process to create this memorial has been transparent, inclusive, and lawful, and it is disgraceful that a few individuals believe they have the right to dismantle years of work and the collective will of grieving families and the community," Langesfeld wrote.
Between the lines: The chair of the planning board, Lindsay Lecour, apologized for the inflammatory comments at an April 8 commission meeting but said she still wants the board to provide input on the design — with final say coming from the family-led committee.
- "I understand the urgency. But this memorial is going to be here long beyond anyone in this room."
- Some commissioners, who argued the design plans were incomplete, said they also wanted to hear the board's ideas if it didn't delay the project.
Reality check: The planning board doesn't have the authority to block the project. Surfside leaders, including Burkett, say they want to fast-track it while following the will of the family committee.
- "We are not slowing down," Burkett said at the April 8 commission meeting.
The commission voted that day to direct the firm behind the memorial project, Keith & Associates, to engage an artist and work with the memorial committee and the planning board to discuss any possible design changes.
- The board will discuss the memorial at its Tuesday meeting.
Martin Langesfeld, Nicole's brother, said at the April 8 meeting that the families were not opposed to "seeing other ideas and making this better; we just really do not want delays, and we want the final concept to be approved by us."
In emailed comments to Axios this week, Martin Langesfeld said it seemed the town was delaying the project by asking the planning board to provide input.
- "I hope that's not the intention, but it certainly feels that way."
- He said the planning board had four years to make suggestions about a memorial. Members speaking up now "feels like an unnecessary delay."
- "The families deserve action, not disrespect and setbacks."
The other side: Burkett tells Axios that the planning board will not slow down the process unless Langesfeld and the other family members decide to adopt their suggestions.
- "Martin is in control, and he can take it or leave it, but we're going," Burkett said. "If anybody says the word 'delay,' then we'll just go right past the [planning] board."
What we're watching: The memorial is tentatively set for an early 2026 groundbreaking, but Langesfeld and commissioners want to speed that up.
Editor's note: This story has been update to reflect that Carlos Aparicio rescinded his resignation from the Planning and Zoning Board.