The city will keep the multicolored sculptures on Park Boulevard designed to look like street signs.
The city’s Commission for Arts and Culture unanimously voted Friday to keep the sculptures in the city’s art collection, rather than de-install them as public art manager Dana Springs had recommended.
Artist Roberto Salas made the sculptures in the late 1980s in response to a call for art to spruce up the city as it hosted the Super Bowl. The city meant to leave them up for 10 years, but it’s been more than 20 now.
As I noted in November, estimates to restore the pieces range from $12,000 to $40,000. They’re in rough shape:
Now the vinyl’s peeling, the aluminum is torn and holey in places and the poles are scratched and faded. Some of the sculptures are wobbly and askew. And two of the sculptures are just missing entirely.
We heard from many of you with strong feelings about whether to restore the sculptures, remove them or make way for something new. What do you think of this latest development? Leave us a note below.
I’m Kelly Bennett, reporter for Voice of San Diego. You can reach me directly at kelly.bennett@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.325.0531.
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