Planning commission presented with conceptual designs of roundabout art
By Joe Bachman
Editor
STEVENS POINT — City officials continued discussion on the installation of art near the Northpoint Drive roundabout on Monday night.
Officials have been working with CREATE Portage County, which will see the installation of structures in one of two spots by the newly constructed roundabout. A request for proposal was sent out last month for the project.
According to a city memo:
“While none of the submittals really seemed to capture the goal, we did receive a letter from an artist identifying some ideas, of which we further explored. Ultimately, this ended up with the idea of creating a piece that would serve as an entry feature, but would also portray our city slogans: “Gateway to the Pineries” and “City of Wonderful Water.” In addition, another interactive piece would be created that would complement the main piece.”
Two proposals were picked for this potential project.
-“POINT” – The letters will be in a chestnut brown and the tree will be clad in copper to make the needles green. The water will be a different metal. The peak of the tree will be 12 feet tall.
Estimated cost – $62,000
-“Pine Cones” – The Pine Cones will be 8’, 6’, and 4’ tall. They are based on a traditional Polish paper making art.
Estimated cost – $43,000
The work would come from Junction City artist and blacksmith Boleslaw Kochanowski.