Backers of a proposed downtown Fargo art sculpture are struggling to secure the money for the project.
Fundraising for the nearly $600,000 Broadway Square sculpture, planned for the intersection of Main Avenue and Broadway, has been stalled since the idea earned city approval last summer.
Project architect Lee Watkins, a Fargo resident, said he's not sure if it will ever be revived.
"I stopped holding my breath six months ago," said Watkins, who was selected from a pool of more than 80 artists and architects from around the world.
Dawn Morgan, chairwoman of the Broadway Square Selection Committee, said fundraising should have started immediately after the sculpture got the go-ahead.
ADVERTISEMENT
That didn't happen, and now it may be time to start fresh, Morgan said.
Shortly after the project was announced, it drew criticism from people who didn't like the look of what had been proposed.
Morgan said she's not sure that people really understand the project.
The structure's panels would be sheathed in red-painted aluminum, which would light up at night. A square, six-color weather forecast indicator would display time and temperature.
"Broadway" would be written vertically up both sides of the billboard in two-foot black letters. The oval-shaped structure was proposed to be 40-feet wide and 40 feet high.
Morgan said she's frustrated with the process, but hopes the project won't have to be scrapped.
Watkins said he's fine with whatever happens.
"It's not in my hands," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mary Jo Almquist at (701) 241-5531
