The board of directors of the New York City AIDS Memorial has reached an initial goal of $4 million to finance its design and construction, according to a statement from the group. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn secured $1.5 million, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer secured $1 million. Private donations totaled more than $1.5 million. Funds for ongoing maintenance have yet to be raised. Construction is expected to be completed in 2015. The memorial will be located across the street from the former Saint Vincent’s Hospital, which was the epicenter of the early AIDS epidemic. The memorial will honor the more than 100,000 New Yorkers who have died of AIDS.

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