The Liberty City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to acquire a permanent public sculpture by artist Amy Jacobson, selected through a competitive national request-for-qualifications process and funded with transient guest tax revenues.

Councilman Greg Duncan, chairing the presentation, told the council the selection panel reviewed 117 qualified applicants, narrowed the list to five finalists and ultimately recommended a single design called Stop and Smell the Roses by Ferris Wheel Studios (artist Amy Jacobson). The work uses both the primary pad and the planter in front of City Hall, spans about 30 feet long and rises roughly 12 feet above the ground; the artist described it as a cascading rose bush with poured colored glass centers and integrated LED lighting.

Duncan described the piece as “iconic” and “conversational,” intended to draw people to the square and remain weather-resistant. “It’s beautiful by day… and it’s stunning by night,” he said, describing one-inch-thick colored glass centers and LED rings that will light the sculpture at night. The selection panel evaluated finalists on scale, uniqueness, durability, public interaction and long-term maintenance.

Council members asked about durability and safety; staff and the selection panel said the sculpture will be steel with engineered attachments, welded construction and robust glass elements. The artist, Amy Jacobson, is locally based in Independence and has completed large-scale public commissions, including work for botanical gardens and other municipal installations.

City staff said installation is expected in spring, with the artist responsible for installation. The ordinance was adopted unanimously; council members and staff said they plan to coordinate plantings and landscaping around the piece and will return with details for long-term maintenance.