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newsobserver.com <br />1111! 11~~ ~~J3k7L'I~Y1'~ <br />newsobseruer.com <br />~~- <br />Published: Feb 18, 2009 12:30 AM <br />Modified: Feb 18, 2009 02:18 AM _ _ _ _ <br />i <br />~ - "~ <br />~ ~ ~> ~~~ <br />,,++ , <br />'Glimpses of the Promised Land' graces Raleigh's Chavis Park. Two city council members voted against the public <br />funding formula, citing the poor economy. Mayor Charles Meeker expects things to be better by the time most <br />projects get started <br />. Staff File Photo by Juli Leonard <br />Buy Photo <br />A 0.5% tip for public art <br />Raleigh approves funding formula to grace buildings, parks and <br />public spaces <br />DAVID BRACKEN, Staff Writer <br />Comment on this story <br />The Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday to dedicate a constant stream of taxpayer money for the <br />creation and development of public art for city buildings, parks and other public spaces. <br />City projects planned for after April 1 will be eligible to have 0.5 percent of their total <br />construction cost go toward public art. Eligible projects will be selected by City Manager Russell <br />Allen and submitted to the Raleigh Arts Commission. The commission will determine whether a <br />public art component is appropriate for the project, as well as the type of art'and how the artist <br />is chosen. <br />The vote Tuesday was a victory for local art supporters who have lobbied for years for Raleigh <br />to make public art a priority. Asheville, Chapel Hill and Charlotte have similar ordinances that <br />dedicate 1 percent of the budget for eligible capital projects to public art. <br />Councilmen Philip Isley and Rodger Koopman were the only two council members who opposed <br />the resolution. Koopman said the city should delay the implementation date until the economy <br />has improved. <br />Isley said he couldn't support the resolution given the economic uncertainty faced by the city <br />and many of its residents. <br />"I just don't think it's the right message to send out right now," he said. <br />Council members Mary-Ann Baldwin and Russ Stephenson argued that supporting public art <br />provides an economic boost and helps draw tourists and talented workers to Raleigh. <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />http://www.newsobserver.com/news/v-print/story/1409614.htm1 2/24/2009 <br />