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CBH Homes pitches 'Hearts Across the Valley' public-art project for Garden City
Summary
CBH Homes presented a proposal to place decorated fiberglass hearts in Garden City as part of a broader Treasure Valley project; no city funding was requested and council expressed interest in working with staff to find a location and review design and safety details.
CBH Homes representatives presented "Hearts Across the Valley," a public-art program that would place decorated fiberglass hearts in participating Treasure Valley cities, and asked Garden City to consider hosting one of the installations.
Mariel, a CBH Homes project manager, told the Garden City City Council on Feb. 10 that the program is modeled on Kansas City’s Parade of Hearts. CBH plans to produce 30 fiberglass hearts about 5 feet by 5 feet, each with a small sponsor plaque; the company is donating the piece and is not requesting money from the city. Mariel said the initiative’s goals are to highlight local artists, encourage park and business visitation, and promote an interactive app that would profile artists and locations.
Mariel said the hearts are manufactured by the same firm used in Kansas City and include a central steel rod; they are intended to withstand weather and remain installed for up to two years, with the option to make them more permanently anchored if the city prefers. She said sandbags could be used for ballast and that a small acrylic plaque (about 3½ by 11 inches) would carry sponsor and CBH logos.
Council members asked how artists and final locations would be chosen. Mariel said CBH will collect submissions and that the city could form a committee—she said the parks committee had already reviewed the idea and that locations could include the Greenbelt and parks such as Pamela J. Beaumont Park, with coordination where needed with Ada County and the fairgrounds. Council members also discussed permanence and safety; Mariel said the hearts are sturdy, weather-rated and could be anchored more heavily if the city requires.
Council members indicated general interest and asked Mariel to leave contact information with staff. No formal council action or city funding request was made during the presentation.
The presentation highlighted partner organizations already on board in the Treasure Valley, including the Boys & Girls Club in Meridian, the City of Meridian, College of Western Idaho, the Ford Idaho Center and private businesses such as Talea Winery. Mariel said the program aims to place hearts in up to 13 cities across the valley and to pay artists for the work.
Council members said they were supportive of artists and asked staff to coordinate next steps and a possible process for site selection and artist review. The city clerk/staff were asked to retain CBH contact information for follow-up.
