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Board discusses bronze statues on Fox River pedestals; arts council to pursue design sketches
Summary
The East Dundee board reviewed an Arts Council proposal to install three bronze statues on existing river pedestals near the pedestrian bridge, agreed to seek design sketches and explore cost-sharing with West Dundee while members raised timing and river-condition concerns.
The East Dundee Board of Trustees discussed a proposal from the Arts Council on Feb. 3 to install three larger-than-life bronze sculptures on concrete pedestals in the Fox River and along the riverbank near the downtown pedestrian bridge. The board did not approve installation funding but gave the Arts Council direction to pursue sketches and preliminary cost estimates and to approach West Dundee about sharing costs.
Arts Council outreach: The Arts Council, led in discussion by village staff, said it has a letter from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources indicating that the proposed decorative installations would not require a permit. The council suggested bronze castings—animals associated with the area such as foxes, ducks or an eagle—placed on the existing pedestals (remnants of old river-chain anchors) to create a memorable riverfront landmark and activate the waterway for boaters and pedestrians.
Cost and funding: The council estimated each partner’s share at roughly $40,000 if East and West Dundee split costs; the arts council proposed a $500 initial expense to commission artist sketches and renderings as a low-cost next step. The board discussed whether the village’s Arts Council budget could cover the $500 sketch cost and whether additional village funding would be required for installation.
Timing and site concerns: Several trustees and residents urged caution because the river’s condition is changing: the village has recently removed a dam and water levels and river appearance may vary seasonally. Trustee Sauter said the timing is uncertain given the dam removal and suggested delaying any physical installation until the river’s post-dam behavior is clear. Board members proposed alternatives including installing statues on each bank first and reserving the middle-pillar installation until river conditions stabilize, or relocating a sculpture to a park site if necessary.
Installation challenges: Staff noted the middle pedestal sits in the river and may require additional investigation and installation costs; the onshore pedestals are more straightforward. The board discussed materials and longevity; bronze was preferred by proponents for durability, while concrete was raised as a potentially lower-cost but less durable option.
Next steps: The Arts Council will pursue sketches (the $500 design step) and continue discussions with West Dundee about cost-sharing and installation logistics. The council and staff will report back with budget implications and with any required technical information about pillar stability and river installation before the board considers final funding or placement approvals.
