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Do you want an icon in the downtown plaza?
It appears as if the icon for the downtown plaza in Mason is on the shelf for now. With changeover on the Mason City Council and an expected higher than budgeted cost, the city has severed its relationship with artist Edward Casagrande. The budget for the icon was $300,000. He designed a “story tower” that would celebrate Mason’s past, present and future. Former Mayor Char Pelfrey and other downtown committee members were thrilled with the design. The current council has said they aren’t sure they want an icon. Plaza workers have created a planter to fill the space where the icon was supposed to be constructed. Would you like to see an icon built? If so, how much should the city spend?
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Comments
By MainSt Business Owner
May 1, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
City Council has once again deceived local business owners with another failed promise. Is it true the winning artist has never been paid the prize money after 6 months? This sounds like a Chad Johnson contest ! How much did Mason spend on lawyers which then caused the artist to defend his name at his expense? Mason should pay the legal fees incurred by the artist because this was clearly was a screw-up by the Mason Economic Development Dept and a vendetta by Grossman to stick it to Pelfrey.By Rt42 business
May 1, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
I find it disturbing business members of the downtown council were kept in the dark this entire time yet Pulse Journal reporter Callahan was given access to the City’s lawyer for talking points. I agree with the prior comment the City should pay any legal fees incured by the artist. As I understand the facts, no public documents exist about budget or cost estimates which proves the “cost” excuse was fabricated to kill the project. Now my business looks over a million dollar round-about flower pot.