For the past year, family and friends of John T. Williams have been fundraising to install a 40-foot totem pole in honor of the late Ditidaht woodcarver, who was fatally shot in 2010 by Seattle Police officer Ian Birk. The pole was slated to be erected on February 26—the day before Williams's birthday—at the Seattle Center.

"We're envisioning a two-day celebration, involving a parade of people hand-carrying the pole from the waterfront and raising it on Sunday, and then a smaller, more intimate celebration of John's life on his birthday," says Connie Sue Martin, a lawyer associated with the John T. Williams Totem Pole Project.

But now that plan is in jeopardy of falling apart. Martin says that the memorial fund is roughly $60,000 short of its $160,00 fundraising goal, which includes $15,000 stipulated by the city to ensure the pole's future maintenance. "If we need that cash on hand, if that's a sticking point with the city, the project's a no-go," she explains. "With all the events planned for the Seattle Center for its 50th anniversary year, we have a very small window of opportunity for raising the pole this year."

"So we're in a big fundraising push right now," she adds.

In light of their lack of funds, private firms have stepped up and offered their pro-bono services to get the pole installed on schedule. "We have an architectural firm working on site design and permitting, and a construction company willing to dig a telephone-pole-sized hole for the totem's base," Martin says. "We're hoping the city will work with us on this."

Martin is scheduled to meet with city and Seattle Center officials at 3:00 pm today to ask for a concession from the city that would allow them to continue fundraising for the endowment once the pole is raised.