My recent stories on calls to relocate the Light + Time Tower from its perch on Capital Boulevard have generated several responses from readers -- mostly those opposed to uprooting the piece.
I got an email this week from someone very familiar with the tower and its storied history. Elaine Lorber was director of the city's Arts Commission in the 1980s when deliberations over the project took place.
Lorber shared with me some details about the origins of the tower.
The entire concept grew out of the then-Raleigh Planning Director George Chapman's interest in beautifying Capital Boulevard (then known as Downtown Boulevard) as a way to commemorate the city's bicentennial.
A collaboration between planners and arts commissioners led to talks with public art professionals; input from citizens, business owners and artists; conferences with state transportation and planning officials; and City Council approval and funding of the project.
There was never any question or debate as to the location of the art work, Lorber told me.
The site on a grassy median along Capital Boulevard, just north of the Wade Avenue interchange, achieved the highest level of visibility as well as the most sunlight over the longest period of time.
That's where the piece got its name – light and time.
The main issue, once the plan went public, was the use of public money. Then-Mayor Tom Fetzer railed against the $51,100 price tag, saying it was wrong to make Raleigh taxpayers pay for such a frivolous undertaking.
Over Fetzer's objections, the City Council signed off on the project. But the ensuing public outcry caused such a stir that Raleigh leaders temporarily put the city's arts program on hold. Fetzer, meanwhile, cruised to re-election.
Sixteen years later, City Councilwoman Mary-Ann Baldwin has raised the idea of moving the piece to a more prominent location. Baldwin's suggestion has drawn support from arts advocates who lament the overgrown bushes shrouding the piece in its current home.
Hold on just a second, others say. Rather than take the drastic step of moving the tower, why not just tidy up its surroundings?
That suggestion led me to Ivan Dickey, an assistant parks superintendent for the city who oversees landscaping and maintenance at park venues, including public art installations.
Part of the issue with the Light + Time Tower, Dickey told me, is that the artist left no written instructions for how to maintain the area around the piece, at least none that are still on file with the city. So there's nothing to specify the proper height of shrubs, etc.
Nonetheless, Dickey said he plans to meet with Jerry Bolas, the new director of the city's public art commission, to talk about what can be done (The city is responsible for maintaining Capital Boulevard between the Beltline and downtown). Dickey told me he was driving on Capital recently when he caught the light at just the right time and spotted the tower's refractive glass glimmering in the sun.
Dickey said a little yard work could make a big difference in improving sight lines. "It does get a little hidden," he said.
