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Consultant lays out draft public art plan for Windsor Heights; council discusses funding options
Summary
Consultant Liz Liit presented a draft public art plan for Windsor Heights that identifies ten priority locations (top priority near 6857 University Ave/Blue Agave), recommends a public art fund and a percent-for-art approach, and suggests allocating 5% of the annual culture and recreation budget to art; council discussed fund sources including a community foundation, TIF funds, and grants.
A consultant presentation at the Windsor Heights City Council meeting on Feb. 17 outlined a draft public art plan that the city will review for location priorities, program goals and funding strategies.
Liz Liit, an art advisor and gallery owner who presented the draft, described how community focus groups and an online survey shaped the plan. She said the plan lists 10 location priorities; the top-ranked site is 6857 University Avenue (the Blue Agave property) and other priority spots include 63rd and University near the Windsor Heights welcome sign, Colby Park and 66th at the circle structure. ‘‘The public art plan envisions a community where public art is integrated into city initiatives, private development and revitalization efforts,’’ Liit said.
Key funding recommendations in the draft include establishing a public art fund (potentially through the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation or a similar external account), pursuing matching grants and applying a percent-for-art model: 1% of a development’s budget for site-built artwork or 0.5% if the developer makes a direct payment to a city fund. The draft also recommends that Windsor Heights allocate 5% of the annual culture and recreation budget to public art and consider using TIF dollars for art placed along renewal corridors.
Council members asked about operational details: whether the city would create new staff roles (Liit said responsibilities would be integrated into current staff duties and an appointed public arts committee) and whether preference would be given to Iowa artists (the draft leaves such priorities to be refined by an appointed committee). Members discussed options to seed a fund, including using existing Keep Windsor Heights Beautiful reserves, placing a line item in the CIP, seeking grants through Bravo and other partners, or establishing an external fund that accepts private donations and bequests.
The council did not take a formal funding vote that night; staff and council discussed next steps, including confirming funding sources and returning with a final plan for community review and an RFP process as money becomes available.
