HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda_ARTAB_12.09.2008http://agendas.georgetown. org/Bl uesheet.aspx?ItemID=546&Meetin-ID=59
City of Georgetown, Texas
December 9, 2008
SUBJECT:
Consideration and possible action regarding an Arts and Culture Board report on Texas Historical Commission
position on placement of'Waterin' the Work Mules' statue -- Ruth Roberts, Arts & Culture Board Chair;
Eric Lashley, Library Director and Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services
ITEM SUMMARY:
Thursday, November 20, Ruth Roberts, Eric Lashley, Tom Yantis, and sculptor Bob Coffee met with Sharon
Fleming of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to discuss the location of the sculpture, "Waterin' the
Work Mules." It was clear from the conversation that Ms. Fleming had been misinformed and believed that the
entire block was owned by the County. Tom Yantis provided maps showing the ownership of the proposed site
as City property. Ms. Fleming agreed that, legally, the City may place a sculpture on the site and that it would
not negatively impact the current or any future grant to the County or City. However, she reiterated that the
proposed placement of the sculpture —and any other improvements that the City may wish to make in the
future --would not be in keeping with the intent of the THC's grant to Williamson County, which was to have
the Courthouse Square appear as close as possible to its state in 1911.
As directed in the October 28, 2008 Council meeting, staff looked for alternative sites on the Square for the
sculpture. The only feasible alternative that keeps the sculpture on the Square is on the northeast corner of
Main and 7th Streets, in front of Council Chambers. Adapting this location for installation of the sculpture
would require taking at least the first parking space on the east side of Main Street, in front of Council
Chambers, filling it to bring it to sidewalk level and surrounding it with a retaining wall and landscaping.
isOther locations, off the Square, would be (1) on the southeast corner of 9th and Main, adjacent to the municipal
parking lot, or (2) in Founders Park. Both of these locations are less desirable because they would be much less
visible to the public than a location on the Square.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No additional cost would be incurred by placing the statue on the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square,
as originally planned. The additional cost of installation at 9th and Main probably would be minimal.
The exact cost of creating the alternative location at 7th and Main is not known, nor is the cost of an installation
in Founders Park. Both would require extensive earth -moving, creation of solid bases, and landscaping
changes.
SUBMITTED BY:
Eric Lashley, Randy Morrow
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