COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A proposed fountain and sculpture in the southeast part of the Four Corners Park in downtown Coldwater is on the Coldwater City Council’s agenda for Monday night.
The current budget for the project is about $200,000. City Manager Keith Baker is proposing that the City of Coldwater contribute $100,000 from the general fund balance to match $100,000 that would be sought through private donations and a Patronicity Public Spaces Community Places grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The City Council will be asked to adopt a resolution to authorize the City to apply for a $50,000 M.E.D.C. grant and allocate $100,000 from the City’s general fund balance towards the project.
Baker points out the Four Corners Park master plan included a fountain in the southeast corner park next to the Branch District Library. The circular lawn area in the center of the park was designed for the inclusion of a fountain and sculpture.
He adds when the park was renovated, utilities were extended to the area to accommodate a future fountain project.
According to Baker, former city councilmember Maureen Petzko had always hoped to have a downtown fountain and current city councilmember John Petzko established a fund at the Branch County Community Foundation to provide seed funding.
Council member Petzko has been working with city staff and the City’s landscape designer to come up with a design for the fountain and piece of art.
What a waste of money, when there are so many others that could benefit from this money. Maybe renovate some of these abandoned houses or buildings and make them in to homeless shelters. This town has so many in need. Don’t give a hand out, but how about a hand up. A place that can help them to have a place to live, so they can have a legitimate address to put on a job application, and eventually get a permanent home of their own. This would benefit so many in this community.
Respectfully, this piece of art would be jarringly out of place next to our historic library, and in our downtown historic district.
There may be other locations around the city, which are more appropriate. This is very definitely not it.
Gross misuse of public funds. Limit it to a simple fountain at a much lower cost; or scrap the idea altogether. City of Coldwater Mayor and Councilpersons are completely oblivious of the economic strain that many Coldwater residents are under.
Please attend the next City Council meeting at 5:30 PM on MONDAY NOVEMBER 27 to voice opposition to this bizarre plan.