As work progressed, crews encountered a cold Ohio winter and very wet spring. In addition to scheduling overtime, team members fielded inquiries in fewer than 24 hours to maintain schedule—a feat they attribute to the collaborative nature of the undertaking, including the open exchange of ideas.

As planned, the monument was dedicated on June 2, prior to summer adjournment of legislators.

"The goal of the memorial is to drive us all to contemplate the great evil perpetrated in the Holocaust against Jews and many others, and be ever vigilant against the hatred and intolerance that inevitably leads a society to death and division," Ohio Gov. John Kasich said in a statement.

The monument's wall is inscribed with the words, "If you save one life, it is as if you saved the world ..."

Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial, Columbus, Ohio

Key Players

Owner Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, Columbus, Ohio

General Contractor Turner Construction Co., Columbus, Ohio

Designer Studio Daniel Libeskind, New York City; Schooley Caldwell Associates, Cleveland