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San Jose council accepts Diane Brandenburg’s gift of Peace Monument for Arena Green West
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Summary
The City Council approved a donation agreement to accept a large-scale peace monument donated by Diane Brandenburg and created by artist Mario Chiodo; the item was pulled from consent for public comment and drew praise from arts leaders and private partners.
The San Jose City Council voted to accept a donated Peace Monument from philanthropist Diane Brandenburg on Oct. 7, approving a donation agreement to place the artwork by sculptor Mario Chiodo at Arena Green West in Guadalupe River Park.
The council’s action, moved by Vice Mayor Pam Foley, accepted the gift and the proposed location. The item was pulled from the consent calendar for public comment; Councilmember Mulcahy recused herself from consideration because of a longstanding personal and business relationship with the donor.
The donation brings a large-scale public sculpture to the city’s downtown parkland. “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then our world will know peace,” Diane Brandenburg said in public comment, quoting Jimi Hendrix as she described the monument’s inspiration and her vision for the work as a gift to future generations.
Project staff and supporters told the council the monument is intended to be a place of reflection and neighborhood connection. Kimberly Mulcahy, identified at the meeting as the Seeds of Peace Monument project lead, thanked city staff including the Office of Cultural Affairs and Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services for helping the project move through city processes. “This monument is more than a piece of art. It reflects San Jose’s commitment to investing in beauty, meaning, and shared cultural experiences,” she said.
Arts Commission Chair Shelby Takata and Arts Commissioner Janet Peace spoke in support; Charlie DiNapoli, a local artist who has worked with the sculptor’s studio, read a statement from Mario Chiodo describing the monument as “a reminder that peace is something we must actively build.” Chris Shea, senior vice president for Sharks Sports & Entertainment, said the piece will help “stitch together downtown, the park, Little Italy, and SAP Center.”
At the podium, a public commenter who said private partners had raised $150,000 for related park repairs urged the council to review city policy on fees for privately funded improvements, saying the group had nevertheless received a $20,000 bill from the city. That commenter called for clearer rules so philanthropic investment is not chilled by unanticipated charges.
Councilmembers thanked Brandenburg and other supporters for the donation; the council approved the agreement and returned to the remainder of the consent calendar.
The council did not allocate project construction funding at this meeting; staff noted acceptance of the donation is the city’s step to secure the artwork and location, with further implementation details to follow through standard city permitting and project delivery processes.
