Coldwater proposes sculpture for Four Corners Park

COLDWATER — The city council committed $100,000 in funds Monday night as part of a $200,000 plan to place a sculpture in Four Corners Park. Another $50,000 raised locally would match a state placemaking grant.

In a separate resolution, the council agreed to take bids for $600,000 in planned improvements for Waterworks Park after failing twice to receive state grant funds to improve that park in the First Ward, also part of park improvements planned for Coldwater.

City Manager Keith Baker said the late “former city council member Maureen Petzko had always hoped to have a downtown fountain. She and her husband, current city council member John Petzko, established a fund at the Branch County Community Foundation to provide seed funding for a future fountain and sculpture downtown.” The amount was not disclosed.

The proposed modern sculpture selected from several raised some questions. The silvery twisted metal piece is unlike anything else in the city.

Councilwoman Emily Rissman said, “Those who spoke to me mentioned they envisioned more of a traditional design.”

John Petzko said his late wife envisioned an art walk area outside the library in the southeast quadrant of Four Corner Park. “My daughters weren’t overly thrilled with the traditional concept” after viewing several proposed art pieces, he said.

The 15-foot sculpture selected was by Fritz Olsen from the 2023 Grand Rapids Art Walk.

Mayor Tom Kramer suggested the design could go up on the city’s website. “We at least give people a chance to comment on it over the next few weeks," he said.

With the Petzko family seed money placed with the Community Foundation, the city will apply for a Revitalization and Placemaking 2.0 Grant like the ones used to raise funds for the downtown Children’s Museum and the city tennis courts. The grant application will go to the state by the end of the year.

The Michigan Economic Development Commission will decide if it will match the local effort. If approved, the city must raise the match from donors within six months.

The plan calls for a fountain around the sculpture but no water as part of the tall metal object. Baker said the city could add water features onto the sculpture if enough funds were raised above the grant match.

A traditional 20-foot-tall statue was left on the southeast corner as part of where it was originally installed and will remain.

During the completion of the Four Corners Park renovation, water, sewer, and electrical were placed in the park’s southern quadrants for additional elements such as the fountain and sculpture.

The redesign selected the northeast quadrant for memorials and military weapons.

In the northwest quadrant, a gas fireplace was donated and installed with seating among the trees left on that site, used for the summer farmer’s market.

Councilman Travis Machan suggested the city use the $70,000 net proceeds from the sale of 71-73 West Chicago buildings for part of the city’s project share — the remainder would come from the general fund or American Rescue Plan Act money.

The city will bid on Waterworks Park improvements this winter for construction next year.

Baker said the city will “Upgrade its walking paths, a couple of parking areas and a youth soccer fields” along the Sauk River.

Related story Coldwater takes next step in Rotary Park river access improvements

Over the last 10 years, the city restored the riverbanks and made other improvements.

Operated by the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities as the wellhead area for the city’s water supply, the general government and CBPU split the cost of improvements for the First Ward park project.

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The city made major improvements in Heritage Park in the Third Ward and proposed significant improvements in Rotary Park along the Coldwater River in the Fourth Ward.

Councilman Jim Knaack reminded the council not to forget the northeast Second Ward.

Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater sculpture Four Corners Park