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City outlines funding mix and timeline for Chief Tuscaloosa sculpture
Summary
Committee members reviewed funding sources (private donations, state grants, city appropriations, university project-management support), contract status with sculptor Caleb O'Connor, and an anticipated spring 2027 construction start while noting timing uncertainties.
Committee members reviewed the project's funding mix and timeline and discussed how the newly recorded $150,000 grant fits into the larger capital plan.
The chair said the project has an existing mix of private donations and public funds. “We've raised just under 1,000,000 privately,” the chair said, and staff listed other commitments including $300,000 from an RFI line in 2025, $450,000 from an Alabama trust fund in 2025, and a $40,000 state tourism appropriation. Staff also said the university has donated up to $500,000 of project-management services.
Staff described contracts currently in place: a production contract with sculptor Caleb O'Connor (amount described in the transcript as 'just under 5' for the statue production) and a site-development planning contract with TTL for $162,000; Tuscaloosa tourism previously received $23,000 for planning and fundraising. Committee members and staff discussed site work, donated stone base by Buddy Williams of Brookwood, and the timeline, with multiple speakers indicating a construction start targeted for spring 2027 but noting that completion by that date may be optimistic.
The committee did not resolve schedule uncertainties and directed staff to coordinate with the mayor and contractors on timing and logistics.
