A city committee voted 0-7 on a motion to recommend a proposed sculpture for Baker Park to the full City Council, effectively blocking the installation from moving forward at that location.

The proposal, presented by artist Monica Franciscus, called for a temporary, 9-foot tower assembled from repurposed plastic car bumpers, placed on a concrete pad and internally lit by small solar lights. The artist told the committee she would cover the installation costs, including the cement pad, and described the work as a “provocative” piece about consumerism, fossil-fuel dependence and sustainability. “I am covering all the costs for this installation and the cement that it is on,” Franciscus said.

Neighbors who spoke during the public hearing urged the committee to reject the Baker Park site. Sue Merkel, who said she lives at 104 Park Street across from the park, told the committee she supports public art generally but opposed this piece at Baker Park: “I’m not opposed to public art. I’m a huge supporter of it. I’m just not supportive of this piece being put in Baker Park.” A resident who identified their address as 102 Park Street said they had gathered petitions from neighbors and summarized signers’ concerns about light pollution, potential encampments and a lack of a maintenance schedule for the sculpture and its concrete pad.

City planning staff told the committee the artist’s prior approval for a similar piece at the park, issued in February 2019, expired after one year because the work was not installed. Staff also said the application process included mailed notice to property owners within 200 feet and a posted QR sign with comment instructions. Staff noted there is currently no funding or installation plan tied to the concrete pad the artist proposed, and that park maintenance is handled by a different department. When asked, staff said there were no funds identified for long-term maintenance of a slab or ongoing upkeep.

Council members raised several concerns during the discussion: neighborhood opposition to the chosen location; the potential for nighttime light impacts; the absence of a sponsor-identified maintenance and removal plan; and safety questions about whether children might climb on the sculpture. Alderson Leatherman said he was “not in favor of putting the sculpture up there.” Alderson Matos told the artist he would not vote in favor of the installation at Baker Park, saying he had heard from constituents who opposed it. One council member asked the clerk how many petition signatures had been submitted; the clerk answered that there were 13 names.

The motion on the table was to recommend the application to the September meeting of the full council. After discussion and several members saying they would not support the proposal at that site, the committee held a roll call and the motion failed 0-7.

The artist may submit a new application for a different site; staff said an applicant would need to file a new application if a different location is proposed.