DDA approves purchase of two sculptures, backs community glass-wall unveiling with up to $1,000

The Downtown Development Authority voted to buy a sculpture and concrete base by artist Kelly O’Neil for $4,000, approved purchase of an untitled abstract glass panel by Wyandotte Art Glass for $2,500, and authorized up to $1,000 to sponsor a community-unveiling event for the planned glass wall installation.

Those votes came after a presentation from Ally, who outlined options for purchasing or re-siting leased pieces on DDA property and proposed moving one piece to a new DDA-owned concrete base. Ally explained the status of several artists’ offers and the relative cost of pieces, saying that two works — Simon’s and Kelly’s — were the most practical purchase candidates and that Kelly’s piece already had more than half of its leasing stipend paid toward purchase. “This would be the only decision that would have to be made at tonight’s meeting,” Ally said about Kelly’s piece, noting foundation and siting work could happen later.

The purchasin…