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Middleton arts committee readies $60,000 Lake Street sculpture under "half percent for art" measure
Summary
The Middleton Arts Committee reviewed progress on a Lake Street Park sculpture—about $60,000—funded by two years of the city's "half percent for art" program tied to TIF development. Installation is on track for around June 1 with a public unveiling scheduled for June 6 at 4:00 p.m.; the committee also discussed using future capital-budget requests for larger public-art projects within TIF boundaries.
Sebastian Norbeck, a committee member who works on public art with CODAworx, described recent fabrication photos and said the glass elements of the Lake Street Park sculpture show fine detail. "I'm very excited," he said, adding he planned to wait for the full installation before passing final judgment.
Michelle (chair) explained how the project is funded under a local measure often called the "half percent for art": when a developer uses tax-increment financing (TIF) there is a half-percent contribution earmarked for public art that must be spent within the same TIF district. The committee said this sculpture used two years'worth of that funding and cited the sculpture cost at about $60,000.
Scott, assisting with logistics, reported Parks has poured the concrete base and the artist is on track for an installation around June 1; the committee confirmed a public unveiling event for June 6 at 4:00 p.m. Katie Nelson said she will speak at the unveiling and requested messaging noting the measure's origin and the committee's use of two years'funds for the piece.
Committee discussion also turned to the 2026 capital-budget process as a vehicle to request funding for larger public-art projects. Options raised included more bus-shelter art, murals on private-building facades (one member offered a 165-foot wall as a possible site), painting a water tower at Pheasant Ranch, or installations at the pool or Parise Park. Members agreed to form a small working subgroup to develop presentations for city council that include several price-range options and a backup plan if larger requests are not approved.
Members emphasized TIF-boundary constraints: Scott and others noted that future projects using the same funding source would need to be located within TID/TIF 5 (the committee asked staff to circulate a map). Sebastian said the committee can also combine multiple years of funds for larger projects if the council approves.
