Local News

An artist drawing shows a daytime view of the proposed Town Square sculpture rejected last week by Burien council members. City of Burien photo

Burien council rejects Town Square sculpture

By Ralph Nichols

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

After several weeks of contentious community debate over public art, the Burien City Council rejected a "screw" for the centerpiece of Town Square on a 4-3 vote June 4.

"I'm very sorry," Mayor Joan McGilton told artist Dan Corson following the council's rejection of his concept for a 40-foot high, tilted screw-like sculpture.

"You certainly have caused our community to become more aware of art."

McGilton and council members Sally Nelson and Gordon Shaw voted to approve the $80,000 sculpture that Corson said would "serve as a 'beacon' for Burien."

Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and council members Sue Blazak, Jack Block Jr. and Lucy Krakowiak noted against accepting it.

Prior to the vote, Clark said "controversy has its place ... [but] not in an area where we are welcoming people to lots of fun activities."

Later, she expressed the hope that the city will continue to work with Corson on public art for Town Square.

Voicing opposition to the proposed sculpture, which recalls Gunther's Tower-a spiral staircase built around a tree by a Burien land speculator to provide views of home sites, Blazak said "most people in this community were expecting something more welcoming."

But, Shaw countered, while some people see themes of sex and violence in the proposed work, "It's just beyond me why we can't put that stuff out of our mind."

Calling the concept "a fairly dynamic sculpture," he said there should be some art in Town Square "for those who want to stand back and look, and this piece does that."

During public comment, Dan Rosenfeld, managing member of the Burien Town Square Development Co., said while there is much about the proposed sculpture that he likes. "it is intimidating art ... it is not welcoming."

It would be "a handicap and an interference" as his company tries to sell some 400 condominiums at Town Square, Rosenfeld noted.

In other business, representatives of Opsis Architecture of Portland summarized the consulting firm's qualifications for developing a master plan for a new Burien Community Center.

Lawmakers agreed to vote on June 11 to authorize the city manager to negotiate a contract with Opsis.