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Arts committee recommends not reinstalling decades‑old neon map on baggage wall
Summary
The airport arts committee told the board the 40‑year‑old neon regional map on the baggage‑area wall should not be reinstalled because it understates modern community scale and would require frequent updates; the committee suggested rehoming the piece in a museum or staff space and the board accepted the recommendation.
The airport's arts committee recommended the board not reinstall a long‑standing neon regional map on the west baggage‑area wall, and the board voted to accept that recommendation.
Ivy, speaking for the arts committee, said members appreciated the map's historic value but worried about its scale and ongoing maintenance costs if it remained in the public terminal. "The group was really thoughtful about both the historical value and thinking about the future of the space," Ivy said, and added the committee "felt that all of the map would need to be recreated" to represent current community boundaries and future growth.
Committee members suggested relocating the neon piece to a museum or staff space where it would be preserved for its historical value rather than displayed on the principal public wall. The arts committee also recommended leaving the baggage‑wall area open for a future artwork designed to align with the terminal's updated brand.
A board member moved to accept the committee's recommendation not to reinstall the neon map; the motion passed with an abstention recorded. Board members asked staff and the arts committee to provide cost estimates for relocation or restoration if the board decides to pursue that later.
Next steps: staff and the arts committee will evaluate relocation options and potential costs and return with recommendations.
