Whoopi Goldberg Joins Design Jury For AIDS Memorial Park In Greenwich Village

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Academy Award-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg and fashion designer Kenneth Cole have joined the jury that will choose a design for an AIDS memorial park in New York City.

The memorial is planned for a triangle across the street from the former St. Vincent's Hospital in Greenwich Village. The property is now owned by Rudin Management.

The memorial park is intended to honor the more than 100,000 people who have died from AIDS in the city and to celebrate the efforts of AIDS caregivers and activists.

Entries for the design competition are due Jan. 21. To enter the competition click here.

The winner will receive $5,000 and a runner-up will get $2,000. Winners will be announced on Feb. 1, 2012.

The memorial organizers said Wednesday that actresses Susan Sarandon and Julianne Moore, who are Village residents, have joined as supporters of the effort. Sarandon says the park will be "an inspirational, educational and green public oasis.''

"It's time for us to preserve this historically significant location with a living memorial that connects current and future generations," Sarandon said.

Organizers hope to have the park completed by World Aids Day on Dec. 1, 2014.

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