Joliet council approves City Square "Dome of Unity" sculpture 5-4 after months of public input and debate

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 that the project should include clearer local content and funding safeguards.

Supporters at the council meeting included members of the Arts Commission and downtown business owners. Eric Deshaun Doris, who helped create the Arts Commission and now serves as Midwest regional director at Young Invincibles, urged approval and compared the project to early criticism of Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate, saying public art can spur visitation and economic activity. Several local business owners and arts advocates said the piece would help brand downtown and attract visitors for events such as the Route 66 centennial next year.

Opponents and skeptics — including multiple residents and at least one council member — pressed for more detail on total project costs, maintenance funding for the city’s existing public-art collection, and greater involvement of Joliet-based artists and organizations. John Sheridan and other speakers contrasted the $197,000 contract with larger city expenditures and urged the council to seek private donations or local contributions.

Artist team and community process: the selection named Sija Chen (artist) and the studio team described in the contract documents as CGHN studio/CJ Chen Studio. The studio’s manager, Michael Pack, submitted a written comment in the record stating that the concept renderings’ cutouts are not final and “the final design of the cutouts will be determined from future community workshops that we will be hosting in Joliet with residents and stakeholders.”

Council discussion and safeguards: council members questioned whether site-preparation and installation were included in the $197,000 cap and asked staff for an itemized breakdown; staff told council the contract price is not to exceed $197,000 and that site footings had been anticipated as part of the project. Several members pressed for an explicit maintenance plan given the city’s history of deteriorating mosaics and public art.

Vote and next steps: the motion to award the contract passed 5-4. Council members voting in favor were Cesar Cardenas, [Councilwoman] Navarro, Pat Mudrin, [Councilwoman] Verdon and Mayor Terry Darcy. Council members voting no were Joe Clement, Larry Hugg, [Councilman] Moreno and Councilwoman Quillman. The contract requires community workshops with the artist to finalize cutouts and calls for materials intended to resist graffiti and minimize maintenance.

The artist will host community workshops and the city will proceed with the contract and installation planning. Council members asked staff to provide an itemized cost breakdown and to clarify longer-term maintenance responsibilities before fabrication proceeds.