Members approve 'Smell the Flowers' artbox; 'Pantone Lake' approved contingent on completion

Members at a public arts meeting approved an Artbox project titled “Smell the Flowers” and voted to approve a second proposal, “Pantone Lake,” on the condition that the second project not proceed until the first is complete.

The projects were proposed by artist Jordan Evans (doing business as Art Jordan). A staff member presenting the proposals said the commission has budgeted for two full-size projects in the 2025 work plan and recommended approving the two projects sequentially to simplify project management. The staff member said, “my recommendation would be to approve the smell of the flowers. And when that one's finished, then vote on the Pantone Lake.”

Approval and why it matters The staff member told members the first proposal, Smell the Flowers, is an uplifting, family-friendly design that the artist proposed to site at a cabin on Hayes Avenue near Pierce Street — a corridor the staff member described as the city’s “Healthy Hays Corridor” because of nearby medical uses. The proposal includes a suggested sensory element: the artist proposed adding scent to the installation, but the staff member said logistics for any scent element are “TBD.”

The presenter said the 2025 work plan contains funding for two full-size projects; the program had originally budgeted for three projects but one full-size award already went to artist Kylie Frederick. The staff member recommended managing the two new projects one at a time to produce a proof of concept and keep timelines orderly.

How the panel voted Members made and seconded motions to approve Smell the Flowers and then to approve Pantone Lake with the contingency that Pantone Lake not be implemented until Smell the Flowers is fully approved and managed by city staff. A roll call for Smell the Flowers showed the following recorded votes: Marsha Carrington — yes; Sean Daly — yes; Bridal Stanley — yes; Alex Domanich — yes; Martha Weichel — yes. Aaron Blair was present but noted as a non-voting attendee. The contingent approval for Pantone Lake passed in a subsequent roll call with Carrington, Daly, Domanich, Bridal Stanley and Weichel recorded as voting yes.

Details and next steps The staff member reiterated a project-management preference to execute one installation at a time to avoid timeline conflicts and to hold a budget spot for the second project while the first is underway. The staff member also noted that if the second proposal cannot be scheduled before the end of the year, the commission could roll the funds into the next year’s budget.

Unresolved specifics mentioned during discussion include the technical and logistical feasibility of adding scent to the Smell the Flowers installation (described as “TBD”) and the final siting details for Pantone Lake, which the presenter and other members suggested would be more appropriate downtown near the pier.

What the decision does not do The meeting record shows approvals and a management plan but does not assign contract awards or provide construction schedules. The approvals recorded were motions to move forward under the conditions described; the transcript does not show staff issuing contracts or firm start dates.