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Coldwater DDA approves $2,000 purchase to keep popular turtle sculpture downtown
Summary
The Coldwater DDA approved buying a popular turtle sculpture from its design budget for roughly $2,000 after the artist indicated he planned to sell it; the design committee had already recommended purchase and the board asked the design committee to determine a permanent location.
Board members discussed the potential purchase of the climbable turtle sculpture currently on display in front of the library and voted to buy the piece for roughly $2,000 from the DDA’s 2026–27 design budget.
A board member reported that after speaking with the artist at Strawberry Fest the artist said he would sell the turtle “for 2,000” and that the design committee had already reviewed the idea and supported purchase. The board considered where the turtle and the artist’s new caterpillar piece would be placed downtown and noted that Kiwanis had sponsored the sculpture’s current location by the library.
Members emphasized two recurring concerns: preserving a popular, climbable public artwork for the downtown experience and maintaining rotation and opportunity for other artists. One board member urged that the DDA continue rotating artworks so multiple artists get exposure, while another noted that acquiring pieces could also be used to encourage private donations to the DDA’s design program.
The board approved the purchase by motion and voice vote, with a permanent location to be worked out by the design committee. No dollar appropriation beyond the design budget was reported at the meeting; staff said the cost would come from next year’s design budget.
Next steps: The design committee will determine an appropriate permanent or temporary placement and address installation-base needs.
