WEST WARWICK, R.I. — Relatives of the 100 people killed in a Rhode Island nightclub fire have formally asked a town council to take the site by eminent domain so they can build a memorial there.
West Warwick Town Manager James Thomas said the council didn’t vote on the request yesterday after an anonymous out-of-state donor offered to buy the Station nightclub site for the families. David Kane, who represented the families, said the town manager is in contact with the property owner over the issue.
A temporary memorial sprang up at the site soon after the 2003 fire, but several family members have established a foundation to build something permanent. They say the company that owns the property had promised to hand over the land years ago. The company disputes that.
