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City moves to finalize Savas' panels; foundry costs rose, staff propose temporary display options while fountain work proceeds
Summary
Staff reported increases in foundry and finishing costs for the Savas panels and told the subcommittee they will ask council to approve updated contracts; staff also proposed temporary display options for the bronze panels if the Courthouse Square fountain construction is delayed.
Arts and culture staff and project managers provided an update on the reproduction and installation of the artist Savas' panels and the related Courthouse Square fountain project.
Meredith (Arts & Culture Coordinator) reported the foundry contract for bronze casting requires additional funds because earlier estimates omitted tax, engineering and some dimensional corrections; staff previously spent $30,000 on digital scanning. The city has available allocations of $75,000 and a balance in a Warehouse Square fund (about $83,000) identified for the project; together staff said those funds and the contract amendment would allow completion without drawing on the general fund.
Because the fountain construction schedule has uncertain timelines, staff proposed temporary, wall-mounted displays for at least one panel so the community can see the work while fountain construction is pending. Staff also said the city would present an amended foundry contract and cost estimate to council on June 17 (date in agenda packet) and that casting would take roughly six months once contracted.
Director Osborne underscored staff's intent to avoid indefinite storage of the cast panels and to honor project timelines for family and community stakeholders. Public commenters generally urged timely installation; one public speaker advised fiscal caution given city budget pressures but supported moving the panels into public view if funds and contracts allowed.
Ending: Staff will present the contract amendment to council for approval and, if the foundry contract is executed, expects a multi-month production schedule; staff also outlined temporary display options that would allow panels to be publicly visible before the fountain is completed.
