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 purchasing motions and the event sponsorship motion were formal actions. Supervisor Porcinelli moved to buy Kelly O’Neil’s sculpture and base for $4,000; the motion was supported and adopted. A motion by Ms. Pusack to buy the untitled abstract glass panel by Wyandotte Art Glass for $2,500 carried, with Mr. Ranley and Ms. Pusack recorded as voting no. The board also approved an event-sponsorship program, not to exceed $1,000, to reimburse costs tied to the community glass-wall unveiling; the DDA left the unveiling date open, discussing possible late-September or early-October dates while noting other downtown events on the same weekends.

Discussion before the votes emphasized budget limits and the next steps after acquisition. Ross, in the financial update and later budget discussion, warned the DDA had a tight capital outlook and that some items — including lighting and landscaping around sculptures — would likely need to be prioritized in next year’s budget or addressed after a budget reassessment. “We really have $6,500 left over for any additional sculptures,” Ross said while outlining capital-improvement estimates.

Board member Brad Randle (first reference: Mister Brad Randle, board member) urged prioritizing site lighting and landscaping over additional purchases. “Rather than having five or six pieces… I’d rather spend the money on highlighting the piece because it either blends into the background or it sits on… an eyesore of a platform,” Randle said. Several board members and staff discussed issuing a request for proposals for lighting so the sculptures could be showcased once purchased.

Ally also reported installation timing and production issues for the planned 30-foot community glass wall. Ally said the wall was roughly three-quarters complete and that a kiln part delay had created a risk to an earlier target date; she said she was “90% sure it will be installed” by the proposed date but preferred to leave the unveiling date flexible to avoid publicizing a date that might change.

Outcomes and next steps: the DDA instructed staff to record the approved purchases and to proceed with reimbursement and scheduling for the unveiling within the $1,000 sponsorship cap. Board members asked staff to revisit lighting and landscaping budgets during the next budget cycle and to consider an RFP to secure vendors for lighting work. No additional permanent purchases were approved beyond the motions taken tonight; several higher-cost pieces (named in the presentation as Henry’s and Caroline’s works, and one from Simon with a higher remaining balance) were discussed but not purchased.

The decisions were taken at the DDA’s public meeting; opponents of the abstract glass purchase were recorded on the roll call for that vote, and multiple members asked staff for clearer cost and implementation plans before committing further funds.