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Joliet council approves City Square "Dome of Unity" sculpture 5-4 after months of public input and debate
Summary
The Joliet City Council voted 5-4 on Sept. 16 to award a contract not to exceed $197,000 to the selected studio to fabricate and install the City Square sculpture known as the Dome of Unity. Supporters said the piece will drive downtown activity; opponents raised process, cost, maintenance and local representation concerns.
The Joliet City Council voted 5-4 on Sept. 16 to award a contract not to exceed $197,000 to the selected studio to fabricate and install the City Square sculpture known as the Dome of Unity.
The decision capped a yearlong selection process promoted by the Joliet Arts Commission that drew more than 3,000 public votes and a field of finalists. Arts Commission chair Tom Grotowski told the council the commission carried out “this responsibility with thorough, transparent process, including discussion among the commission members, ultimately leading ultimately to an agreement on the Dome Of Unity.”
Why it matters: supporters said the sculpture will be a cultural draw that helps downtown economic development and reflects community input; opponents said the public-engagement process fell short, that the city should prioritize infrastructure and maintenance of existing public art, and…
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