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Parks board approves $120,000 donation and commission for Lincoln Park bronze statue
Summary
The board approved entering a $120,000 donation agreement and a matching commission with sculptor Ryan Feny to create a bronze Abraham Lincoln statue for Lincoln Park; payments are staged and the donor retains final approval of the likeness; the board delegated one staff member to approve contract milestones.
The Parks Board approved a $120,000 donation agreement and a separate commission contract with artist Ryan Feny (Indie Art Forge LLC) to produce a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln to be permanently installed in Lincoln Park.
Under the donation agreement, the $120,000 is payable in three installments: $60,000 on execution, $30,000 upon approval of a clay model, and $30,000 upon installation. Staff said those sequencing terms mirror the commission agreement and that the park board will be responsible for installation and the concrete pad or other base. Jared described the production workflow: computer modeling, a foam mold cut to close tolerance, clay refinement by the sculptor, and bronze casting.
Board members asked about donor approval rights and final placement. Staff acknowledged the donor would have approval authority over the likeness per the agreement but said the parties have collaborated during design and do not expect surprises. The board unanimously approved the donation agreement and the commission agreement by voice vote. The board also voted to delegate authority to a single staff designee (Jared) to approve intermediate contract steps and satisfy donor-approval conditions on behalf of the board.
The board did not record a roll-call tally; motions passed by voice vote. Staff said the artist's contract term requires completion within one year of execution, though the parties discussed seeking flexibility to time completion with park ceremonies.
