The Grosse Ile Downtown Development Authority heard an update on public art and Lions Park projects and approved two maintenance contracts at its meeting.

Public art consultant Allie reviewed five sculptures that have been on Macomb Street under lease and outlined purchase options, costs and installation issues. She said one piece by an artist identified as Kelly (titled "Windows" in consultant materials) is valued at $5,000; the DDA could purchase that piece for about $2,000 but the piece currently sits on a poured concrete base that is too small and would require a new base if the sculpture is moved. Allie proposed the DDA consider purchasing pieces the board already has invested in; she characterized two pieces as reasonably priced for purchase (Kelly’s piece and a stacked‑glass work by an artist identified as Simon) and recommended against purchasing two larger, more costly works that would require further investment.

Allie said Simon’s stacked glass piece was listed at roughly $11,000 but the artist offered a lower purchase price — she discussed a $4,000 buyout split over time — and that one large piece sited at the post office had an asking price in the neighborhood of $20,000. Two other works were estimated at $15,000–$16,000; some pieces do not have portable bases and would remain site‑specific unless the DDA paid for new bases.

Allie also updated the board on a community mosaic project for Lions Park: she said the community glass wall project has collected just over 500 tiles from residents and that the installation team is aiming to finish the full 30‑foot wall by Sept. 30 to meet a grant requirement. She described ongoing tile composition work to avoid large color blocks and said a small additional tile‑making session might be scheduled to include late entries.

On related park improvements, the DDA approved two expenditures in action items added to the meeting. The board voted to hire Matt Scott Landscaping to install seven “Green Giant” arborvitae, 6–7 feet in height, at Lions Park for an amount not to exceed $3,850; board discussion described the plantings as a screen along the west property line, north toward the high school, and as matching trees planted last year on the north side of the park. The DDA also approved TNT Tree Service to remove two trees near Macomb Street that consultants and staff said were past their useful life; that work was approved for $1,700.

Allie said benches and trash receptacles ordered for Lions Park will arrive in roughly eight to ten weeks and that township engineers will coordinate concrete pads for seat installations. Ross (staff) told the board the township will insure purchased sculptures and that sculpture assets will be included on township property inventories if the DDA decides to buy pieces. Board members discussed whether the DDA wants to be an art collector and noted the program’s original plan anticipated owning some pieces and rotating others on lease.

Board members asked staff to place the sculpture purchase decisions on the next meeting agenda so the board can review pricing, bases and insurance implications before September deadlines. One board member said the DDA has already purchased several pieces in prior years and that the program’s intent was always a mixed approach: buy some sculptures outright and continue leasing others for rotation.

Allie and the board discussed planning a community unveiling event for the Lions Park installation, with a tentative post‑installation celebration that could include music and local vendors.