Less than $150K of Ann Arbor city hall sculpture expenses will go to German artist
Less than $150,000 of the $750,000 being spent to install a new piece of public art in front of Ann Arbor's city hall is going to the German artist who designed the piece.
That's according to Aaron Seagraves, the city's public art administrator, who confirmed today Herbert Dreiseitl and his firm will receive less than 20 percent of the money budgeted.
Seagraves noted the project budget from December 2009 indicates Dreiseitl will receive an artist design fee of $148,370, minus payments previously paid.
This bronze sculpture was installed in front of Ann Arbor's city hall on Tuesday. The total project budget is $750,000, but less than 20 percent of that is going to the German artist who designed the piece.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Debate has continued to surround the city's selection of a German artist — as opposed to a Michigan artist — for the city hall sculpture project, but records show most of the money has been spent on putting Michigan-based contractors to work.
Warren-based Future Group was responsible for about $460,000 worth of work to fabricate and install the sculpture that now stands in front of city hall as of Tuesday.
Included in that amount is about $150,000 for lighting and water technology that is subcontracted to CAE from Hamburg, Mich. Also included is about $110,000 for the bronze materials and casting. The bronze material came from Clarkston Fine Arts Centre in Clarkston, and the casting was subcontracted to Wolverine Bronze in Warren.
The rest of the work is contracted to Quinn Evans Architects, Conservation Design Forum (for the rain garden) and Peter Basso & Associates (engineering), all of which have offices in Ann Arbor.
Sue McCormick, the city's public services administrator, said the $750,000 project budget covers all change orders related to installing all supporting infrastructure for the public art piece, including plumbing, electrical and concrete work.
The installation of Dreiseitl's sculpture comes as an intense debate continues to surround the city's Percent For Art Program, which funds public art using a mix of mostly city millage and utility funds. Under an ordinance approved by the City Council in 2007, 1 percent of the budget for all city capital projects — up to $250,000 per project — is set aside for public art.
The Dreiseitl project is tapping into the city's pooled public art fund, including $30,000 from the stormwater utility fund, $210,000 from the water utility fund, and $510,000 from the sewer utility fund. The idea is that it serves a purpose related to the source funds.
No general fund dollars, which pay for police and fire services, have gone to the city's public art program, according to records reviewed by AnnArbor.com.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Kelley
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
Two comments. First, there may be a time, place and appropriate budget for public art. Unfortunately, in a time of economic constraints and other more pressing public needs, this is not the time, Ann Arbor is not the place, and our City budget should not be the source of funding, for public art. Second, to satisfy the desire for public art, there are other, much cheaper and/or non-public ways of providing for it such as through temporary loaned art installations and privately purchased art installations. The City should explore these alternatives.
mojo
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
Time to cut back on "Public Art".
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
Be honest. Even if it cost $1.98 it would still be ugly. What in the world was worse than this that it wasn't chosen?
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 11 a.m.
"Payments to Dreiseitl so far include $2,000 in consulting fees paid in November 2008, $72,000 in design fees paid in August 2009 and nearly $5,000 in travel reimbursements in August 2009." Get a clue Ryan. Wasn't 'travel reimbursements' for an August 2009 trip BEFORE AAPAC even voted on this piece of...art? The fix was on since day one because...let's see WHICH local environment group flew the artist in for an environmental talk (oh a group run by a member of the AAPAC committee that voted for the work and another supporter of the Mayor). And now the art project for the City Building is being done in secret too. Wow. I'm sure all the city officials are rolling on the floor laughing at the free pass investigative journalism is giving them since the death of the Ann Arbor News too.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 4:59 a.m.
Repeating the same wrong-headed, inapplicable priorities and "getting votes" for doing so is what's crazy. The shortfall in funding for road infrastructure is massive: due entirely to the Republican-caused recession and the Republican PLAN to cut ALL funding for ANY public purpose. You wanna talk about crazy? There it is: so dwell on that FACT and then make your decision about who and what to vote for. Same applies to such things as foreclosure aid: the increase in mortgage defaults started with the "unregulated" derivatives market, a proven FRAUD perpetrated by the biggest contributors to Republican candidates at all levels. That anyone is even spending more than one minute "campaigning" against this minuscule matter is itself "ugly." How many of those criticizing this artwork have gone to see it in person? How many of those criticizing this artwork have seen even the rendering of what it will look like when finished? How many of those criticizing this artwork have degrees in art? How many of them are artists? Well - we can see how many of those criticizing this artwork have any imagination.
lester88
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
@ KJMClark Did you get tired of being Tim Darton?
nixon41
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
So what's the point? You shouldn't have spent the money in the first place.
Pam Bethune
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 1:11 a.m.
Michigan has plenty of wonderful artists. ALL of this money should go to Michiganders!
mojo
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
Scrape brass is going for something like $2-3/lb - perhaps AA could get some money back? Or just return it to the scrape yard that it came from.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:02 a.m.
The issue isn't how much money went to the "artist," it's how much was spent, PERIOD.
Peter Eckstein
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
"The onsite stormwater improvements which include the rain garden, the cistern, etc. were all project requirements (funded in the overall Municipal center budget) as necessary to meet current code requirements for managing the site stormwater. The art project, however, interfaces with that system, using the captured stormwater for the circulation through the art. The change orders necessary to create that connection are in the 750K." It was good of Ryan Stanton to go back to Sue McCormick to get a clarifying statement. I suggest that he go back one more time to find out what in blazes it means. What are "the change orders"? In what sense are they "in the 750K"?
Let me be Frank
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
A ruse by any other name is still a ruse.
Kai Petainen
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 10:32 p.m.
so the art is functional and serves a purpose to the building. this is good news for anyone building in michigan. citizens should be notified that when they build something, then they need to get expensive artwork to meet the building codes.
Let me be Frank
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.
"$30,000 from the stormwater utility fund, $210,000 from the water utility fund, and $510,000 from the sewer utility fund. " spent on art displays is an example of the gross misappropriation of funds and the walnut shell games going on that has been exposed. What other (slight) misuse of funds going on? Where are the scruples? Where is the respect for the public trust?
Kai Petainen
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
This seems like a great question. This wasn't art money used for art. This was utility money used for art. It seems to me, that utility money should be used for matters relating to our sewers and water (the Huron River).
Kai Petainen
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 10:04 p.m.
After reading this article it became a bit more apparent that the money.... went towards Michigan businesses. I think that's a good thing?
Urban Sombrero
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 10 p.m.
I'm sure it's been covered before, but I don't see it in this particular article: when is it expected that this thing will be up and running?
LA
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
Does anyone know how the art was paid for in the Washington Street parking structure? That shows integrated art w/the building, and fits quite well. Does anyone know who designed it? Was it part of the 1% bucket or was this done prior to that idea? What was the public reception like for it? Also: Does anyone remember the 'entrance' sculpture for State St by Briarwood? A work by our own famous Jerome Kamerowski was supposed to be installed there. I remember there was a big outcry but I cannot remember the details. Obviously, it was never installed. It would have been great....I think. Does anyone know the reason it was derailed? Was it because of an outcry like this?
Vivienne Armentrout
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 2:56 a.m.
The art at Fourth and Washington was the result of private donations. The earlier version of the Ann Arbor Public Art commission merely helped to facilitate donation and installation. I don't know about the piece on the front, but the pieces inside the structure were a memorial to Reuben Bergman, the first administrator of the DDA after it took over the parking structures. I recently spoke with his wife, Barbara Bergman (a current county commissioner) to refresh my memory. The artwork was donated by their family. The art commission offered several alternate choices and then the Bergman family chose one alternative and paid for it. I like it, and I believe that this parking structure and its details are one of our finest public structures.
Sparty
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
Appalling use of city financial resources in these times. City council members who failed to stop this installation and financial expenditures should be voted out of office in November and this "bucket" should be eliminated as the first order of business by the new council. Beyond the the horrendous, morally corrupt use of economic resources for public art in these times of recession, the failure to use local artists for Ann Arbor public art is just unthinkable at any time. Not to mention that this particular installation is just plain UGLY in my opinion (which is on a single opinion, but does seem to be widely shared).
ToddAustin
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
Thanks for finally posting the breakdown of expenses that shows that the vast majority of the funds expended went to local Michigan businesses. Why was this not in the original posts on the topic? Why has AnnArbor.com fed and encouraged the blind rage that some like to exhibit on this site toward any government expenditure of any kind? Why does AnnArbor.com repeatedly fail to provide even the barest semblance of journalistic skill in researching a story completely and writing it up in a complete and careful way? Like many, I would have preferred that a local artist was selected, as well. Barring that, it's good to see that we're supporting our fellow citizens with solid jobs.
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
I don't think it's quite fair to beat up Mr. Stanton about this. He did a reasonable local interest article, which turned out to have a lot of interest, and he followed it up with more information. It would have helped to have had a breakdown of the costs in the first article, but no one's perfect. And I wouldn't call this "blind rage". For the most part, these are just the usual suspects, ranting against Ann Arbor and government in general. It must be pretty frustrating for some people that the best run city in the state has an all-Democrat council.
Veracity
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
The following statement can be found in Eric Chiu's July 21, 2009 article, entitled "German artist reveals plans for Municipal Center project," published in The Michigan Daily: "Earlier this year, City Council members approved paying Dreiseitl $77,000 to develop the designs." How come Herbert Dreiseitl actually received almost twice that fee ($148,370)? BTW, Herbert Dreiseitl will convert his fee into Euros and spend them in Germany.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 10:06 p.m.
If that's the case, then, according to today's news, we just contributed $150,000 of Ann Arbor taxpayer money to provide retirement benefits for 55-year-old Greek people.
John A2
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
maybe we it was Euro's we agreed to pay him.
John A2
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
let me get this right. Editor please explain if I am wrong, but I am understanding that all the artist did was design the thing, right. He didn't actually have his hands on the thing, and it was produced here, and we paid him and paid for room and board to help direst its completion, hmmmmmmmm
LA
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
May I reiterate some comments I made earlier? Since the arguments here are the same as I replied to, they are still relevant: It is so much easier, and fun to tear down and criticize things, isn't it? I am so appalled at the comments regarding this sculpture. If it was up to people like these commenters we would all be living in dirt hovels and still refusing to accept the radical ideas of the wheel and fire. I'm surprised their ancestors didn't wash all the cave painting and petroglyphs off the walls. After all, those people could have been out hunting and gathering for the greater good like everyone else! How about the Sistine Chapel: why didn't the Pope use the money he spent on paint to feed the poor!! Even if there were private donors, there would be complaints in this town. OMG, why did the Medicis donate a million dollars for a sculpture? They could have used it to build low-income housing!
Vivienne Armentrout
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 3 a.m.
We have a lot of privately funded art in this town, and though there may be a little carping about those, I think people are upset about the use of tax dollars. I encourage everyone to engage with the currently constructed art as art, and then to work to change the policy so that it makes good sense. The artists are not our problem, it is the policymakers.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
I stopped reading after "dirt hovels". I trust the rest was just as ignorant.
John A2
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
do you have a mirror?
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
Has the artist any idea what a hornet's nest he's coming into. Perhaps more money should be saved by having him remain safely at home where he need only read about public reception of his art.
st.julian
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
This is a self serving analysis by the City. The cost of the project is $ 750 k irrespective of where the work was done. The notion that it's better because the the work was done here is nonsense. If a Michigan artist had been slected, then all of the work would have been done here. The fact that the committee's arrogance was apparent in the selction process will not be diminished. Their process and selection is an insult to: first the large body of qualified Michigan artists, second the larg body of qualified American artists, and third, perhpas more importantly, to the community that holds one of the major art fairs in the ocuntry every year. Whetehr it is art is in the eyes of the beholder. Whether it is worth $ 750 k is also subjective. Whether it was snesitive to the economic conidtion of city there is not question that this expenditue was ill timed and reflects an unspeakable arrogoance in budget priorities that should not be forgotten as police and firean are cut from the budget
deletedcomment
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
$750,000 spent repairing infrastructure will also 'create' jobs and more than a select few will be able to enjoy said repairs. This is the only city I have been a resident of that cares more about creating a false image then actually handling what a real city government should. Cut backs, lay-offs and infrastructure that is literally falling apart should equate to the end of useless spending. The Art fund should be the first thing to cut spending from, it benefits no one.
A2LIFER
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:37 a.m.
It benifits me
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
We haven't yet seen the finished product, with all its flashing lights and its flushing system. Rumor has it that our German friend has programmed the lights to spell out "hahahaha, you American Imperialist suckers" late at night. Will Mayor Hieftje get to throw in the first urinal cake at the ribbon flushing ceremony?
George
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:23 p.m.
Looks like the goose has already stopped laying golden eggs. Art Commission Rejects Third Dreiseitl Work <a href="http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/08/10/art-commission-rejects-third-dreiseitl-work/" rel='nofollow'>http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/08/10/art-commission-rejects-third-dreiseitl-work/</a> Maybe each blue light on the sculpture represents a police/fire person laid off to buy the thing?
thinker
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
@Ryan-Staff- Question: If that area had been a park, with dirt and trees and landscaping, would stormwater management, cistern, etc still have been necessary, or was it because is was all paved over?
4mytown
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Public art, if it is good, can lift the spirits of the citizens. I think the finances of this project, with most of the funds being sent on Michigan contractors, is fair. A major artist, getting A fee of $175K seems more reasonable ... As long as the end result is good.
alarictoo
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.
"Public Art Administrator"...? Please tell me this is a joke. We can't afford police officers and fire fighters, but we can afford a "Public Art Administrator"? It's high time to be moving out of this town to somewhere that the elected officials have a lick of good sense.
A2LIFER
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.
Please do
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
"It's high time to be moving out of this town to somewhere that the elected officials have a lick of good sense." Bye. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. In case you missed it, we *do* have police and fire fighters. I sure hope we don't cut any more of them though. Why can't more people comment here without insulting people? F4's comment is fine - I don't completely agree with it, but he's not insulting anyone. You could have said the same thing and ended with "elected officials make better decisions", but you had to get that insult in there.
f4phantomII
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
Are you that surprised? We have an Environmental Coordinator, Historic District Coordinator and I can't begin to guess what else. I guess that's fine if it's what a majority of voters want. But first, I believe we need to put out fires, catch the criminals, and maintain the roads.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8 p.m.
I call "bogus" on referring to Dreiseitl as an "artist."
KJMClark
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Seems like there an awful lot of people from yesterday who are supposed to be publicly eating crow today. "In the course of my life, I have often had to eat my words, and I must confess that I have always found it a wholesome diet.", but, "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Churchill
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
I don't know what makes you say "most people 'round here don't like that quote so much." No one around here is trying to tax anything into prosperity. Believe it or not, he wasn't calling for eliminating all taxes when he said that, either.
f4phantomII
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
He also said, "We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle". Most people 'round here don't like that quote so much.
f4phantomII
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
So, it wasn't the sculpture that was so expensive, it was all the extras.
Mike
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
It's chump change when you can just raise parking fines and increase enforcement. That's the way government officials look at thiongs; we're just a bottomless supply of money waiting for new taxes...I mean fees.....er, revenue enhancements; I believe that's the most politically correct way to phrase it these days.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.
The Dreiseitl project is worth its weight in scrap metal.
TheInfamousOne
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
I don't get it, what is it suppose to be? Phallic Symbol?
Lionel Hutz
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
My initial impression was that due to the ugliness of the work, the artist was paying Ann Arbor, not the other way around.
d
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
I think it will be a beautiful addition to downtown.
Mike
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
You think?
mojo
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
Since the sewer department paid much of this $750,000 art 'investment' - I guess it had to look like a urinal or something. I could not have even imagined something this bad planted in the middle of town. Perhaps it can be sold for scrape.
David Cahill
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
The extra info on this project is not changing the overwhelmingly negative view that the voters have about it.
KJMClark
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8 p.m.
See David? Mike says the voters should can all those Democrats. The irony just makes me laugh.
Mike
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
The views of the voters don't matter; besides you elected all of these "progressive" folks who feel art is more important than fiscal responsibility. Hasn't been a republican on council in years last time I checked; they're too "conservative" and out of touch............
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
@David: How did Sabra vote on it?
javajolt1
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
So we have had numerous articles related to downtown police presence (there isn't enough). We have crime problems and increases in downtown parking rates that directly affect the health and vibrancy of the downtown area. We have budget issues that has caused our city leaders to lay off fire and police personnel. We have deteriorating streets and infrastructure.......everywhere you look. .....and our city leaders think the best use of our taxpayer dollars is to spend $750,000 on a $150,000 piece of art by a German artist to be placed in front of their multi-million dollar ode to their own self-importance. If that's not arrogance, waste and misuse of public trust, nothing is. When are the citizens of this town going to wake up and say: Enough!
javajolt1
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
Ann Arbor is the "best run city in the State of Michigan"?? By whose measure? That would explain why Michigan cities are at the bottom of just about every national list.
KJMClark
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:01 p.m.
"When are the citizens of this town going to wake up and say: Enough!" When it stops being the best-run city in the State of Michigan?
DeeDee
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
How great that we spent all that money in Oakland County ! Personally, I'd rather spend it in Ann Arbor on police, potholes, bridges, firefighters, and oh yeah, catching that sexual predator we have hanging around.
Jimmy McNulty
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
"Less than $150K of Ann Arbor city hall sculpture expenses will go to German artist" Well then, that makes it totally worth it, doesn't it? It still cost $750,000, right?
tommy_t
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
Where's the bronze apes clutching thigh bone clubs staring up at it? ...........Ok now I get it - interactive art. Citizens are to take on that role. Clever!
Jay79
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
We the citizens of Ann Arbor should call for a group photo of all the facilitators with this project AnnArbor.com could put it on the front page As a Townie, I know some of them would actually be proud
A2LIFER
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:32 a.m.
I would be
Go Blue
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.
So $600K or so was frittered away and a few jobs were briefly given. That's pretty darn expensive for a one time shot. Can anyone think of anything more relevant that $750K could have been spent on? Obviously, city hall cannot.
Soothslayer
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
"One time shot"... This will easily last for decades. Just look at all the public art in and around Chicago and how it has contributed to the vitality of that city. Get a grip.
KJMClark
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.
Um, that's a "one time shot" that will be gracing the downtown long after we're both dead. Could be a *lot* worse.
grye
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
You know, this art sculpture looks a lot like the Lord of the Rings Eye of Sauron. Maybe we could have that installed on top, it can monitor all the bad things going on in town, and then alert the police department. All the while, we can sit back and admire it's wonderful beauty.
golfer
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:17 p.m.
it is not who gets what. it is the TOTAL cost that you look at.
djm12652
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:14 p.m.
Anyone interested in starting a pool [pun intended] to see how long it takes before the cistern, rain run-off is contaminated with excrement and urine?
John A2
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
Right On! So we will be paying for it for ever to be cleaned out too. How tragic one's thinking can be. Oh no it's the group thing there going on. Are the counsel all in a cult or something?
alarictoo
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:01 p.m.
Hmmm... It DOES sort of resemble a roman toilet... ;^)
A2LIFER
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 5:45 p.m.
Wow, based on Ann Arbor.com comenters you would think that the Mayor and Council would be in trouble come election time. But as usual the vast majority of city residents support them and the arts fund. Please please please please stop beating your heads against a wall.Most are happy with the sculpture and the program and look foward to more public art.
A2LIFER
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 12:30 a.m.
No it's obvious election after election after election after council meeting after council meeting. My comment is reality, Annarbor.com's majority of commenters are really a very small minority.
John A2
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
Are you joking or something.
LA
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
Thank you for a note of sanity 'tegel'!!!
Lionel Hutz
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
It's a one party system.
tegel
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
Agreed! If left to the commenters here, there would be no public art at all, so I'm grateful the city leaders had the foresight to institute this program. What is really embarrassing is all the negative vitriol towards even the idea of setting aside a minimal (yes, the last I checked, 1% is indeed minimal) amount of funds for public art. An argument could be made for improving the program by integrating art into existing infrastructure projects (bridges, buildings etc...), or even for reducing the amount set aside, but those are different discussions than what I've read on this site. I certainly hope the silent majority is enlightened enough to realize the important role that art plays in making a city vibrant. As for this particular piece, I'll wait until I see it in person before making a judgement.
golfer
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
just like detroit. if kk ran again he would be elected. nobodys fault but our!
djm12652
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
yeah, until the [God forbid] need a cop....
Chase Ingersoll
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 5:34 p.m.
Why couldn't they have just planted a tree?
Soothslayer
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 11:34 a.m.
I'm sure bronze tree installments were considered but probably too expensive as the amount of detail would really increase the cost. Planting a live tree wouldn't have nearly the impact, permanency or entertainment value. Just look how this is bringing everyone together and involved in armchair budgeting and art critiquing now! That's the true and awesome power of art!
Lionel Hutz
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
A tree does not meet Ann Arbor "ugliness" art initiative.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.
What about a pergola?
djm12652
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
isn't a rain garden a silly name? how about a rain re-cycling/conservation system...a garden is usually associated with a growing organism...oh wait...e coli is one of those so maybe garden is right...there will be a plethora of bacterial growth from our finer residents who have no qualms in expelling any and all body fluids and solids in public!
John A2
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
That is not art and it's not fare to the people who had to sacrifice their livelihood for it. Do we have a bunch of juveniles running our city. This has gone too far. That thing they call art is a monument to stupidity, and selfishness. It's almost as ridicules as the new Crosswalk Law. This is what happens when no one shows up to our counsel meetings. The mice will play when the cats away.
Soothslayer
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 11:30 a.m.
Who sacrificed their own livelyhood? This was a citywide decision, not an individual one of sacrifice. Also what's wrong with stoping for people walking across the street? I think this is a good thing. If you were waiting to cross a busy street I bet you'd hope people would stop for you, which is the right thing to do.
Karen Sidney
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
Did the documents provided by the city include the amount spent on this project directly from the municipal center bucket (fund 8) or just the percent for art bucket? The spending from the municipal center bucket means the general fund had to transfer an additional $250,000 to cover this project. Those funds could have been used to hire police officers or fire fighters. It's unclear why spending for this project is split between two buckets other than that it makes it harder to follow the money
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 5:06 p.m.
More from McCormick on what portion of rain garden costs are included in the $750K. "The onsite stormwater improvements which include the rain garden, the cistern, etc. were all project requirements (funded in the overall Municipal center budget) as necessary to meet current code requirements for managing the site stormwater. The art project, however, interfaces with that system, using the captured stormwater for the circulation through the art. The change orders necessary to create that connection are in the 750K."
RTFM
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 5:01 p.m.
The Dreiseitl project is tapping into the city's pooled public art fund, including $30,000 from the stormwater utility fund, $210,000 from the water utility fund, and $510,000 from the sewer utility fund. The idea is that it serves a purpose related to the source funds. I believe city officials should really be a part of this exhibit and be permanently chained to the structure. City Bridges falling down while supposed art goes up.
B2Pilot
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.
"$30,000 from the stormwater utility fund, $210,000 from the water utility fund, and $510,000 from the sewer utility fund. " Please explain in common sense language how this piece of 'art' relates to these funds being used for this purpose. This is crazy!!!! shouldn't fixing bridges, streets, and storm drains be a better use for these funds??
buenaonda
Fri, Sep 30, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.
Do you know how far $750k would get you in street repairs? The answer is: not that far.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
"Please explain in common sense language how this piece of 'art' relates to these funds being used for this purpose?" Simple. The theme of the Dreiseitl project is waste water. Per City Council, it meets the funding ordinance's requirements.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
The Dreisitl project is as big an eyesore as the Stadium Bridge.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
The One Per Cent For Art Program should be repealed. It is an embarrassment to the principle of fiscal coommon sense. There are many more pressing needs the City of Ann Arbor has, including mortgage foreclosure relief, cutbacks in essential services, and pension funding shortfalls. And besides - the "artwork" looks atrocious.
Soothslayer
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 11:27 a.m.
That's the fun thing about art is that everyone can have their own opinion of it. I expect a considerable amount of research was performed in selecting the artist, medium & location. Think of all the local Michigan contractors who benefitted from this work and the future beneficiaries that will get to enjoy it once the current crumudgeon generation has quieted down. One would be hard pressed to notice a $750k street improvement, it wouldn't buy anything nearly as appreciable or permanent as this. Get on with it already everyone & stop whining. This is a done deal & there's real work to be done.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
@Z-man: Mortgage relief is beneficial to the public at large as abandoned homes can lower property vales for an entire neighborhood and are more likely to become targets for vandals, rodentinfestation and other problems requiring costly municipal intervention. This is not to mention that there is no homeowner paying property taxes to support the city and county treasuries or the school districts. Mortgage relief benefits everyone.
Z-man
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
Roadman, of course mortgage relief from the city's coffers "can be beneficial to consumers who may be in default to their mortgage lender." So what? Such mortgage relief is not beneficial to all of the taxpayers who involuntarily pay for it. It would be beneficial if the city were to cut my grass and pay my utility bills, but I don't expect them to do so! Again, is it right for the city to take money from responsible taxpayers and use it to bail out others?
KJMClark
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Is "coommon sense" related to "common sense", cause if it is, I have a great Einstein quote for you. The City of Ann Arbor has no role to play in mortgage foreclosure relief. So you think cutbacks in essential services is a pressing need? And there's a pressing need for pension funding shortfalls? And besides - you haven't even *seen* the artwork yet. All you've seen is construction pictures. That's like saying the underground parking deck looks atrocious, when you haven't seen that either. Hate to pick on you, but this is the most highly voted comment? Ouch.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
@Z-man: The County of Washtenaw has employees who have the duty of facilitating work-out arrangements between banks and homeowners to prevent eviction; it has has some success reportedly. The City of Ann Arbor has also allocated funding for similar assistance. My experience is that these efforts can be beneficial to consumers who may be in default to their mortgage lender.
Z-man
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
"Mortgage foreclosure relief" is a pressing need? Why should taxpayers make house payments for those who entered into financial contracts with banks to purchase houses they can no longer afford? While I can sympathesize with some who are overextended, it is not a function of city government to bail out these people with my taxpayer dollars.
Snehal Shah
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
Art in city is a necessity, food on table of its residents' home is optional. After all movies on hunger are considered art movies!
Soothslayer
Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
You want the City to feed you now? I don't understand what you're suggesting.
rsa221
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
Thank you for being more specific.
Kk Ichikawa
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
...or wait, there IS another debacle just a short walking distance away where you can park.
Kk Ichikawa
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
How many cars could have been parked in that space? Maybe it's a "Citizen Belt" to keep angry taxpayers from accessing City Hall?
Roadman
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.
The project as well as the ordinance was the product of bad City Hall leadership. Long ago during a council caucus session, Marcia Higgins noted that the Art Commission appeared to be receiving massive overfunding since there was a heavy volume of high-dollar capital improvement projects. Most of all the project lacks any degree of aesthetic quality.