SURFSIDE, FLA. (WSVN) - Two fathers of Surfside collapse victims unveiled a new sign that read “98 Points of Light Way” that will be in front of the condo collapse site.
The new landmark will honor the 98 lives that were lost in the condo collapse.
The street name was approved in Tallahassee, which was led by Senator Jason Pizzo.
It’s a small way of honoring those who were killed in the deadly collapse so that even after a new building is constructed, people will still remember what happened when they drive by.
“And now, when you pass this street, years from now, you will always remember, always remember, what happened here on that terrible day,” said Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Two fathers have a bond they didn’t ask for but have to live with. Their children, 26-year-old Nikki Langesfeld and 21-year-old Ilian Naibryf, died in the collapse.
“This is such an emotional but beautiful way to show honor and respect for our 98 loved ones,” said Pablo Langesfeld, who lost his daughter in the condo collapse. “It means a lot to all of us. Those little things will keep those 98 souls alive. It’s been over 14 months since this tragedy occurred, and we demand answers.”
Langesfeld and other family members of the victims who died wished that the collapse could have been persevered, but a developer from Dubai bought the land and plans to build a new luxury condo.
Langesfeld said family members plan to build a memorial right next to the land, but have not heard from developers about working together on the project.
Earlier this year, victims and family members of the collapse were awarded a $1 billion settlement but no answers as to what caused the collapse.
“It’s very sad that we don’t know what happened,” said Langesfeld. “We don’t know why. We are still waiting. It’s a never-ending nightmare. It’s very sad that we have to push for answers. It’s not my job.”
That has not deterred family remembers from building a memorial right next to where the collapse happened.
“This will ensure that long after this windscreen across the street comes down, after the new building goes up, that everybody who passes by this street, and drives by and walks by, will always remember what happened and remember the lives of the 98 souls that we’ve lost that night,” said Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger.
“And remembering the bravery and the hard work of the first responders, the fire rescue, the police, the social workers and victim advocates, all converged here as one to bring closure to the families to look for victims, and the struggle continues,” said Ramirez.
The struggle is investigating what happened here, honoring the 98 victims and making sure this never happens again.
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