THE STORY:
Initially, there were several locations on the 1800 Coxendale Road property that were considered for the flagpole. A crane hoisted a 30 x 50-foot flag 180-feet in the air and moved around the property. The flagpole occupies the edge of the Coxendale property due to the visual impact it made on the surrounding roadways - most importantly, Interstate 95, which has over one million vehicles travelling it every week.
USA Iron and Metal is a metal recycling company owned and operated by Monique Smith that shares the property at 1800 Coxendale Road. The company's philosophy, adopted from Sam Parker's book, "212: The Extra Degree", uses the idea of adding a pivotal degree to water that sits at 211 degrees which then turns to steam as an analogy to motivate one another: "The one extra degree makes the difference".
Through extensive planning, attention to flag design standards and community feedback, the flag's height and size were chosen to reflect the company philosophy. The flagpole now stands at 212 feet,
and the American flag is 40 x 76-feet.
During site review, Chesterfield County's Planning Department suggested a slight change to the original circumference of the sidewalk that allowed for a new footprint of exactly 1776 square-feet. The idea was adopted immediately. Monique reviewed the site plan and realized with some minor changes to the sidewalk leading from the outer perimeter to the pole itself, it could be shaped in the form of an angel's wings. The landscaping was arranged in a way that would symbolize the angel - watching over the pole. Another sidewalk design was needed to connect the parking area to the circular sidewalk around the flag. Our trusted stamped concrete specialists came up with a brilliant design. They drew up a large cross, with the base of the cross meeting the pole, and the top of the cross meeting the parking area.
Through many collaborative efforts, RJ Smith Construction compiled a team of multiple trades that assisted in the construction of the flag pole. Before the final segment of the flagpole was attached, all of those involved with the project gathered at the site to sign the finial. The following day, Chesterfield County's Sheriff and Chief of Police ascended the 212-foot flagpole to leave their signature on the finial as others had done before.
On November 18, 2018, the flag was raised as a symbol of thanks to our military and first responders. Today, Unity Park is a place for all to come and celebrate the unification of our great nation.
Initially, there were several locations on the 1800 Coxendale Road property that were considered for the flagpole. A crane hoisted a 30 x 50-foot flag 180-feet in the air and moved around the property. The flagpole occupies the edge of the Coxendale property due to the visual impact it made on the surrounding roadways - most importantly, Interstate 95, which has over one million vehicles travelling it every week.
USA Iron and Metal is a metal recycling company owned and operated by Monique Smith that shares the property at 1800 Coxendale Road. The company's philosophy, adopted from Sam Parker's book, "212: The Extra Degree", uses the idea of adding a pivotal degree to water that sits at 211 degrees which then turns to steam as an analogy to motivate one another: "The one extra degree makes the difference".
Through extensive planning, attention to flag design standards and community feedback, the flag's height and size were chosen to reflect the company philosophy. The flagpole now stands at 212 feet,
and the American flag is 40 x 76-feet.
During site review, Chesterfield County's Planning Department suggested a slight change to the original circumference of the sidewalk that allowed for a new footprint of exactly 1776 square-feet. The idea was adopted immediately. Monique reviewed the site plan and realized with some minor changes to the sidewalk leading from the outer perimeter to the pole itself, it could be shaped in the form of an angel's wings. The landscaping was arranged in a way that would symbolize the angel - watching over the pole. Another sidewalk design was needed to connect the parking area to the circular sidewalk around the flag. Our trusted stamped concrete specialists came up with a brilliant design. They drew up a large cross, with the base of the cross meeting the pole, and the top of the cross meeting the parking area.
Through many collaborative efforts, RJ Smith Construction compiled a team of multiple trades that assisted in the construction of the flag pole. Before the final segment of the flagpole was attached, all of those involved with the project gathered at the site to sign the finial. The following day, Chesterfield County's Sheriff and Chief of Police ascended the 212-foot flagpole to leave their signature on the finial as others had done before.
On November 18, 2018, the flag was raised as a symbol of thanks to our military and first responders. Today, Unity Park is a place for all to come and celebrate the unification of our great nation.