You know, I sent a letter to one of the EL councilman a while back just to say that I really don't like the veto power residents seem to have over developments in their neighborhoods. Yes, I get that you probably moved there because you liked the way it was on the day you moved in... but just imagine how much longer it would have taken our beloved downtowns to develop if all along the way we'd insisted that new construction not change the character of an area.
It doesn't sound like a bad idea, but I hope the money can also be used to buy and/or improve the parks and plazas that the art will go in. In Lansing at least, they should really create better spaces for art before they go spending too much money on the art itself.
Actually, I had exactly the same reaction hood. Most of the time, I would probably rather they spend 1% more to make the building appealing architecturally (which is its own kind of art), rather than on specific art purchases. Obviously much harder (pretty much impossible) to write that kind of ordinance.
I'd agree with that also, but I was more talking about new parks and plazas, along with improving existing parks. There's no point in putting a sculpture in the middle of grass field in a little used park. You have to do other landscaping, build paths and create reasons for people to visit the park which includes, but is not limited to art. I hope that any ordinance like this allows the money to be used for those things in addition to art, or maybe provide some matching funds for the park infrastructure.
I know that Meijer has been trying to get a Meijer gas station in that spot for the longest time, but has faced considerable backlash from residents of the nearby neighborhoods. Perhaps I missed the announcement? I think any type of retail was fought by the neighborhoods. I looked but couldn't find anything on the City of East Lansing website.
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