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Martin County panel unanimously approves decommissioning of two public artworks
Summary
The Martin County Public Art Advisory Committee voted unanimously to decommission two county-owned works — Yap Money Stones at Gazebo Park and the Live Long Loggerhead at Hope Sound Beach — directing staff to seek nonprofit placement or auction and to coordinate salvage with the artist.
Martin County’s Public Art Advisory Committee voted unanimously to decommission two county-owned artworks, directing staff to pursue nonprofit placement or county auction before any disposal.
Staff presented a recommendation to remove two pieces from the county inventory: Yap Money Stones (a five-piece installation by Gary Gresco) at Gazebo Park, and Live Long Loggerhead (installed 2011) by Mia Lindbergh at Hope Sound Beach, citing site redevelopment and deterioration. "So we are asking to decommission 2 pieces in our inventory," the presenter said when introducing the proposal.
Committee members raised concerns about preserving salvageable elements of the Hope Sound installation. Artist Mia Lindbergh said she would "remove all the key elements, including the mosaic sign, the ceramic turtle, the hatchlings," and offered to store and restore pieces she and her husband can recover. "All I need is a little bit of help from who's ever there to get them into the truck so that we can get them to a location, restore them, and hold on to them," Lindbergh told the committee.
Members discussed ownership and the history of the Yap Money Stones, noting that the artist had previously delivered five pieces for the public exhibit. One member recounted that the works had been transferred to the county for a nominal fee and have been on site longer than originally intended.
A member moved "that we decommission these 2 items" and another member seconded; an amendment requiring staff to first contact nonprofits and to consider removal costs was accepted. The committee approved the motion with the amendment by unanimous voice vote. "None opposed," the chair stated after the vote.
The committee clarified that decommissioning means the pieces will be retired from county-managed inventory, not necessarily destroyed, and directed staff to explore nonprofit recipients, auction channels, or sale. Staff said placement and final disposition are "to be determined" and that the county would consider removal logistics and costs.
The next steps: staff will coordinate salvage work with Lindbergh for the hope-sound elements she can recover, pursue potential nonprofit takers, and, if necessary, place the pieces through the county auction process.
