DOWNEY - The City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to hire a consultant who will help facilitate the process of creating and constructing a full-size statue of John Gately Downey, which will be placed in front of City Hall.Just prior to the vote, Community Services Director Thad Phillips said the consultant would take the project from beginning to end, soliciting proposals for the sculpture from local artists. The public art sculpture will also contain some points of historical record around its base about John Gately Downey, who served as Governor of California from 1860-62 and whose company owned land here before it was subdivided into smaller cities. Councilman Mario Guerra applauded the idea, one he has introduced in the past. "I really want to see this done as soon as possible," said Guerra. Phillips said he will search for a consultant with experience managing public art projects. "I commit to do it as fast as possible and come back to you with the artwork and where it will be," said Phillips. Once hired, the consultant's work will be reviewed by the Art in Public Places Committee and later approved by the City Council.

********** Published: December 18, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 35