At a meeting of the Laramie Planning Commission, consultants Laura Haddad and Tom Drugen presented early concepts for the Third Street Beautification public‑art project and solicited feedback from commissioners and the public.

The consultants said their practice focuses on large‑scale, place‑making works that use form, color and light to create civic identifiers. They showed precedent projects including a stainless‑tag dog sculpture and a 60‑foot river beacon, and explained that their process will combine site research, community engagement, prototypes and materials testing before advancing preferred concepts.

“...we're striving to create art experiences that have a bit of magic in them to capture the public's imagination,” Laura Haddad said, summarizing the team’s approach and emphasis on lighting and environmental activation.

Commissioners and attendees suggested local themes and design constraints the project should consider. Speakers repeatedly invoked Laramie’s “open skies” and changing light as a design asset and recommended exploring works that respond to sunlight, wind and seasonal conditions. Several speakers urged referencing water and the Casper Aquifer as a local story; others cautioned against repeating familiar imagery such as cowboy statues and urged forward‑looking treatments that reflect the city’s current identity.

Staff described potential implementation sites and next steps. The city is exploring bookend locations at the north and south ends of downtown (near Sheridan Street and near Clark Street) and possible agreements with private property owners to enable larger gateway installations beyond the limited public right‑of‑way. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (YDOT) right‑of‑way is also under consideration as a potential site for a visible landmark.

Budget and schedule remain at an early stage. Staff said the city has allocated funds in the “few hundred thousand” dollar range; consultants referenced an approximate project budget of about $300,000 for the current phase, and said they expect to develop preferred concepts over the coming months with a target of winter for a concept recommendation. Materials and durability were central to the discussion: commissioners emphasized that any work must tolerate high winds, intense UV radiation at 7,100 feet elevation, and long, harsh winters so lighting, surface finishes and fastenings remain serviceable over time.

The consultants noted design options that animate with natural forces, including wind‑activated elements and surfaces that change with light and frost. They said they will coordinate with city architects and fabricators on constructability and maintenance as the project moves into concept development.

No regulatory approvals or land‑use decisions were made at the meeting; the presentation was a non‑action, fact‑finding item and the commission provided general feedback to guide the next design phase.

Next steps: the consultant team will produce concept alternatives informed by tonight’s feedback, coordinate with city architects and property owners where relevant, and return with preferred concepts for further review and possible future action by the commission and city council.