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Commission acknowledges emailed public suggestions, including an offer for a Harriet Tubman sculpture
Summary
During the meeting’s public‑comment portion, commissioners reviewed emailed suggestions posted to the agenda — including a donor‑led Harriet Tubman sculpture proposal, suggested statues of figures tied to Ann Arbor and a community poetry trail — and staff said he would send a template acknowledgement and follow up on actionable items.
The commission’s public‑comment portion on Wednesday included discussion of several emailed suggestions that were attached to the meeting agenda, staff said. The messages included a submission from an artist proposing a Harriet Tubman sculpture and other suggestions from residents for statues and a temporary poetry trail.
The Chair read portions of one email describing a sculpted, life‑size Harriet Tubman work and noted the sender appeared to be seeking a home for the piece. Commissioners stressed that the emails are recommendations to the commission rather than formal city projects. “This is somebody’s opinion and a suggestion about bringing … statues of Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, and Kathy,” the Chair said while summarizing a resident’s note about potential figures with Ann Arbor ties.
Staff (Chris) said standard practice is to publish received emails under the public‑comments section of the agenda, redact personal contact details for privacy, and post the correspondence for transparency. He told the commission he planned to send a template response that thanks the author, confirms receipt and notes that staff will follow up if an item becomes actionable.
Commissioners suggested possible local partners — including the DDA, the Art Center, park staff and event organizers — that could help connect proposers with appropriate resources if a donation or placement opportunity is viable. Commissioners also noted funding limitations; one commissioner said the commission cannot currently purchase artworks outright and recommended that donors be linked to fundraising partners or programs that could cover acquisition and installation costs.
No formal action or vote was taken on any of the emailed suggestions. Staff said he would acknowledge receipt to the senders and follow up if a submission becomes an actionable project.
