The two roundabouts on the east side of Jefferson City are taking form, with one showcasing a patriotic eagle.
Midwest Block and Brick sponsored the north roundabout, where they helped set the 6-foot-tall eagle statue Thursday. The company provided all of the material for the wall, the support for the monument and the equipment to help place the statue.
"It's awesome to be included in a project like that," said Jeremy Winegar, vice president of central/St. Louis sales at Midwest Block and Brick. "We're an east end business ourselves. We love to support the community and what a great way to do it by dressing up the eastern entrance into our city."
The American Legion Post 5 in Jefferson City is sponsoring the south roundabout, which will have a 40-foot-tall flagpole. At the base of the pole will be a pentagon-shaped monument containing patriotic messages.
The American Legion Post 5 will host a fundraiser from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday at Prison Brews, 305 Ash St. Fifteen percent of sales will go toward purchasing and maintaining a flagpole and other improvements at the roundabout.
Several local businesses besides Midwest Block and Brick - such as Twehous Excavating, Cole County Industries, All Seasons Landscaping, Capital Quarries Company, Meyer Electric Co. and Central Missouri Professional Services - have also donated materials and/or services toward the project.
Hank Stratman, East Side Business Association president, previously said he wanted to not only pay tribute to veterans but also market the east side, so he helped come up with the idea of creating two patriotic roundabouts.
The estimated price for the project is $75,000-$80,000, Stratman previously said.
Even with the anticipated donations and services, Stratman said last week, ESBA and the American Legion Post 5 anticipate being about $10,000 short.
Stratman previously said he hoped to complete the project by July 4.