Batavia approves new sculpture for Wilson Street bridge
The city is inviting artists to design a second sculpture for the Wilson Street bridge.
The city council on Monday approved giving $25,000 for this year’s competition. The program is funded through two tax increment financing districts.
First Ward Alderman Garran Sparks voted “no.”
“I feel it is not money well spent right now,” Sparks said.
He also had concerns about the procedure being followed.
“There could be better ways to do it,” he said.
The city council had set aside $30,000 for the first sculpture, “Nature Sounds of Harmony,” which was dedicated in April 2009. The sculpture was installed following the reconstruction of the bridge in 2007-08.
“The reduction is due to the economy and a belief by staff that such will not undermine the quality of the pieces,” City Administrator Bill McGrath said in a memo to aldermen.
McGrath said the process will allow the city council to choose the new sculpture with input from professional artists and the public.
|
|
