City Commission to revisit roundabout art height

At a special meeting tonight scheduled for the discussion of the city’s “housing first” homelessness strategy, the City Commission will also revisit another topic: the height of a recently approved piece of public art.

At the request of City Commissioner Susan Chapman, the city will once again discuss “Embracing our Differences,” the sculpture slated for installation in the middle of a roundabout at Main Street and Orange Avenue. The commission approved the design and placement of the artwork at its Oct. 19 meeting.

According to an email sent to staff, Chapman is concerned about the size of the sculpture, which would be 20 feet tall, 5 feet wide and weigh approximately 2,500 pounds. Chapman wrote that she does not want to reject the gift, which would satisfy the One Palm development’s public art requirement, but wants to reconsider the sculpture’s dimensions.

The main topic of consideration at tonight’s meeting is homelessness, with two representatives from the Florida Housing Coalition scheduled to speak. A joint meeting of the city and county commissions regarding homelessness is scheduled for Nov. 6, and the city hopes to develop a more refined vision for its housing first program in advance of that date.