Des Plaines may mold money into sculptures

Bronze sculptures of birds, children playing with a turtle and young people playing leapfrog could be coming to downtown Des Plaines.

Des Plaines aldermen on Monday night agreed to have staff look more into the idea.

Mayor Tony Arredia and 3rd Ward Alderman Laura Murphy saw the sculptures at a conference they recently attended in Las Vegas.

Arredia said they had walked down the "wrong aisle" when they happened upon the sculptures on display at the conference. "It looked good," he said.

The Rose Garden of Dania Beach, based in Florida, had a special offer for attendees of the development conference. Offering half off, five sculptures would cost the city $28,485.

Murphy said the sculptures could enhance the downtown Metropolitan Square development and the planned riverwalk.

City Manager Jason Bajor said the fund money from the downtown taxing districts could be used since that's likely where the sculptures would be located.

"What a wonderful use of TIF (tax-increment financing) funds," 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman said.

Brookman said they would be similar to the sculptures on display in Elk Grove Village's town center.

Some aldermen questioned using a Florida firm, asking staff members to look into using local artists instead.

Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten suggested looking at Illinois-based artists. Second Ward Alderman Marty Moylan agreed and added that the city hadn't even looked at seeking competitive bids for the project.

But Murphy said the deal was being offered by the firm to participants who attended the Las Vegas conference.

Arredia also said that local artists sometimes charge more money, saying the price was a great deal for five sculptures.

Staff members will look more at the idea and return their findings to the council.