Arts and Humanities committee worried about the light - Salina Journal

Salina Arts and Humanities is concerned that four light poles near the sculpture "Dawn's Silver Lining" on South Ninth Street are casting too much light on the sculpture and thus diminishing its effect.

Brad Anderson, executive director of Salina Arts and Humanities, said the light poles are closer to the sculpture than artist Barbara Grygutis planned.

"We are looking at trying to reduce the amount of light reaching the sculpture," Anderson said of the installation, which is lit from within. "The artist's intent was very different than having the extra lights washing over the surface. We are looking at our options and working with the artist and city departments."

The 20-foot, stainless-steel sculpture was installed in late October and early November

south of Schilling Road. The city approved the purchase of the\ $246,547 sculpture in 2010 and another $53,052 to build a foundation for the piece.

Anderson said there have been some complaints about how the sculpture didn't look as good now as it did in November when the city had a lighting ceremony and had turned off some of the lights in the area.

'Relatively low' cost

The options the city is looking at include adding a shield to deflect the light away from the sculpture, changing the bulbs to emit less light or removing the

poles. "The costs are relatively low at this point," Anderson said. "The least likely option is to fit hardware onto the lights to redirect it.

That would mean the city would take ownership of the poles and be responsible for maintenance."

Anderson said Westar could change the bulbs for "less than $500 total."

City Engineer Dan Stack said the option of removing the poles could cost the city money up front but save it money in the long run.

Under an agreement with Westar, Salina leases each light pole in the city at different rates. Each of the four poles in question costs the city $13.69 a month, or a total of $657.12 a year.

Stack said Westar has told the city it would cost almost $1,000 to remove the four poles.

Why the poles are there

Stack said city staff is looking at whether the lights could be removed.

"We are trying to figure out if there is any risk in taking them out," Stack said. "We are trying to determine how much lighting is adequate. We have plenty of roads that are lit less than South Ninth Street, which is one of the best-lit streets in the city."

Stack said the lights are placed in an area based on standards set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. The standards aren't enforced or required to be followed by any law.

"If we took the lights out, would it be a big deal or not?" Stack said. "That is what we are looking at."

Better at the dedication

Anderson said discussions are premature but he hopes to bring back the view from the night that it was lit.

"It looked so much better the night of the dedication, and it doesn't look the same now," Anderson said. "The photos show a nice job from that night. This has been on our radar for a while."

-- Reporter Chris Hunter can be reached at 822-1422 or by email at chunter@salina.com.

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Source: http://www.salina.com/news/Too-much-light-shines-on-sculpture

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