Lasting Impression
Committee
to choose from
11 Legacy Gift proposals
Bicentennial
to commit $250,000
toward establishing winning idea
By
Konnie McCollum
Staff Writer
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February
2009 |
(February 2009) – If every project proposed
for the Madison Bicentennial Celebration Committee’s Legacy Gift
project was completed, Madison, Ind., would be teaming with activities,
visual attractions, a museum and even a performing arts theater. Eleven
proposals were submitted to the Legacy Gift Committee, which has earmarked
$250,000 to establish the winning project. The committee that will choose
the winning project includes Joe Carr, executive director of the Jefferson
County Historical Society; Corey Murphy, executive director of Economic
Development Partners of Jefferson County; Harold Lakeman, Madison City
Parks Director; Ken Gibson, director of the Hanover College Library;
and Ashley Hanson Schutte, a board member of the Community Foundation
of Madison and Jefferson County.
The deadline for submitting proposals was Jan. 9. The Madison Bicentennial
will be celebrated June 6-14 with a 200-hour “Old Home Week”
full of activities.
The Madison Bicentennial Celebration Committee is hoping to present
a lifetime Legacy Gift to the city. During the city’s Centennial
Celebration, the Broadway Fountain was brought to Madison as a legacy
gift and has become an enduring symbol of the city.
“My hope is that all of these great ideas don’t die just because
they are chosen for this project,” said Jan Vetrhus, chairperson
of the Madison Bicentennial Committee.
Vetrhus said the idea for the Legacy Gift has been discussed since the
early days of the Bicentennial planning. “When you go to a birthday
party, you bring a gift,” she said.
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Legacy
Gift Project To inquire about this process, contact chairman Joe Carr at (812) 265-2335 or email: jchs@seidata.com. |
“Well, we were thinking along those lines.”
She said the decision for the project will be announced prior to the
June 7 “Roaring ‘20s Gala,” which will be a fundraiser
event for the gift.
“At this point, fundraising in general is going well, despite the
economic conditions,” said Vetrhus. “We are getting ready
to go into our second stage of fundraising, and everything is looking
up.”
Madison Mayor Tim Armstrong said he has seen many of the proposals and
hoped that whatever is chosen will remain as a lasting tribute. “I’d
like to see something that will remind people of our Bicentennial for
many years to come – something like the Broadway Fountain,
which remains as a lasting symbol of Madison.”
The city will play a part in selecting the winner, since its work crews
will likely be responsible for maintaining it, Armstrong said.
Carr, who serves as chairperson of the Legacy Gift Committee, said a
date has not been set to announce the winning proposal. “We are
still working through them,” he said.
“The city also has to analyze each proposal and work on a cost
analysis and other issues before we decide which idea would work best.”
The city staff is working with the Madison Bicentennial Committee in
a public-private partnership on the Legacy Gift project.
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‘It
is certainly going to be a tough choice...’ |
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‘When
you go to a birthday party, you |
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‘I’d
like to see something that will remind people of our Bicentennial
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“It is certainly going to be a tough choice because
all of the proposals bring something valid and important to the table,”
said Carr. “Many of them were well thought out and interesting.
We certainly would value public input on this project. We will use any
comments we receive on each project to help us shape our decision.”
Murphy, the county’s economic development director, said, “I
am impressed with the work and time that was put into these proposals
by the various groups. This is an opportunity to create something that
will complement the strengths of Madison and the larger community. Just
like the Broadway Fountain is a site that residents and visitors alike
flock to for enjoyment, we have an opportunity for the same thing in
the Legacy Gift.”
The 11 proposals vary in type and scope. Here’s a description of
each:
• Indiana Veterans
War Memorial. The gift would be located at the Indiana Veterans
Memorial Ceme-tery on Madison’s hilltop. The memorial would honor
men and women in the state and local area who have served in the military.
It would provide a visual means for future generations to understand
the service and sacrifice veterans of all ages have given. It would
tie the local community with veterans who served from the area and entire
state and draw tourists from across the state to observe the memorial.
The monument would be a series of black polished panels created by Searcy
Monuments of Carrollton, Ky. Maintenance costs have been included in
the budget for the project, and additional funds could be generated
through donations or through the selling of bricks with veterans’
names on them.
• Splash Park with
“Spirit of the River” sculpture. A proposed splash
park along the riverfront was part of the original plans for Madison
Bicentennial Park. This proposal would continue that idea and add an
8-foot or 10-foot sculpture in bronze or limestone. If chosen, Clark
Design Limited of Terre Haute, Ind., would be contracted for the sculpture.
• Heritage Trail Bridge
over Crooked Creek. In this proposal, an historic bridge
would be reconstructed over Crooked Creek with a viewing area that will
allow hikers on the Heritage Trail of Madison to enjoy a panoramic view
of the area. The Heritage Trail of Madison is already in possession
of the bridge but needs funding to reconstruct it.
• Madison Square Park
featuring the Irene Dunne Sculpture Garden, amphitheatre and stage.
This proposal would be a memorial tribute to Irene Dunne, the Hollywood
star who grew up in Madison. Dunne, known as the “First Lady of
Hollywood,” had 22-year film career spanning the 1930s-40s, starring
in more than 40 movies. She was nominated five times for an Academy
Award as Best Actress but never won. As one of the most famous citizens
of the community, this memorial would become a magnet for tourists and
fans of Dunne. If selected, sculptor David Ross Stevens will create
a bronze of Dunne.
• Madison Riverfront
Historical Storyboard – A Walking Tour of Our Heritage.
This proposal suggests creating five vertical black granite panels and
five horizontal panels to be situated along the river walk on Vaughn
Drive. The panels, which would have information in 20-25 year increments,
would provide a synopsis of Madison’s heritage in a concise, yet
visually inviting format where citizens and visitors could enjoy the
beauty of the riverfront while participating in a walking tour. Panels
could continue to be added as history unfolds. The long-term sustainability
costs of the project would be low, and panels could be sold to individuals
or corporations as a way to raise funds for future additions.
• Arts Venue.
The former Antiques on Main building for sale at 129 E. Main St. has
been proposed as an ideal location for an arts venture, particularly
for performing arts. A first-floor theater could be used by community
groups, including churches, social organizations, professional theater
groups and area schools.
Upper floors could house rehearsal and storage space or could be used
for workshops and lectures. The basement could be used as office space
or a costume shop. History through drama could be one of the many educational
purposes the arts venue has.
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This
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• River
Cliff Park. This project will save and open to the public
10 undeveloped acres along Madison’s western riverfront. That area
will be the primary building block for “River Cliff Park,”
which will eventually extend up the Madison Railroad incline and include
the Heritage Trail of Madison and the historic Cat Steps leading up
to the Madison State Hospital. The park will connect the Madison River
walk Project that runs along Vaughn Drive to the Heritage Trail of Madison
and the other historic trails being developed in the area. An education
center to explain the interrelations of river life and the railroad
is part of the future plans for the park.
• Interpretive Center
and satellite pocket parks with kiosks. The Interpretive
Center would be located in Madison Bicentennial Park, while pocket parks
would be at designated locations throughout the community. Each kiosk
would explain community history or accomplishments and would direct
people to pocket parks throughout the community for additional and expanded
information. Example history topics could include the founding of Madison,
the history of the Underground Railroad in the area, the history of
Madison Railroad and the history of firefighting. Examples of pocket
park locations could include John Paul Park, the Madison Railroad Terminal,
Eleutherian College and the Lanier State Historic Site.
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• Georgetown
Memorial Park and Walnut Street green space. A building at
918 N. Walnut St. could be acquired and turned into a memorial to commemorate
heroic actions of the Georgetown area citizens during the 19th century
as they assisted enslaved African-Americans escape to freedom. The site
would highlight the accomplishments of ordinary citizens, including
African-Americans, and their sacrifices for the abolishment of slavery
in the United States.
• Classic Carrousel.
A classic amusement park ride would be placed in Madison Bicentennial
Park and could be used as a way for the City of Madison to generate
income. The carrousel has been a popular attraction at carnivals and
theme parks for generations, and all ages of people can enjoy riding
on one.
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File
photo by Don Ward Madison’s
John Paul |
• John
Paul Park Hill Stabilization Project. In line with the heritage
and history of Madison, John Paul Park represents the city and community
as a place to gather together, hold concerts and play ball. The park
was the first public park in Madison. Some stabilization work between
the Plateau and Lower area needs to be completed.
Mayor Armstrong envisions a Legacy Gift that will attract people to
a place where they can enjoy it, similar to the park-like setting that
exists today at the Broadway Fountain.
The Broadway fountain was designed by J.P. Victor Andre, a French sculptor
employed by the Janes, Kirtland Iron Co. of Morrisianna, N.Y., (now
the Bronx). During its heyday, the company, which is credited with the
design, creation and placement of the Capital Dome in Washington, D.C.,
was one of the country’s major foundries. The fountain originally
appeared in the company’s catalog, labeled simply “No. 5.”
It was offered for $2,500.
The fountain is 26.6 feet high and 35.6 feet wide with two basins and
a reflecting pool. The top basin features a maiden; the second basin
features two large birds. The base of the fountain is surrounded by
four horn-blowing tritons. Several ornamental urns sit along the top
wall of the reflecting pool. The fountain has been repaired or recast
three times over the years, the last time in 2004.
Although considered a local landmark, the fountain has not always belonged
in Madison. It first appeared in the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition,
where it was exhibited in the Agricultural Nave. The fountain came to
grace Madison’s Broadway Street in 1886, thanks to an organization
known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Odd Fellows purchased
the fountain several years after the Exposition closed and presented
it as a gift to the city of Madison.
• Learn more about the Bicentennial events at: www.MadisonBicentennial.com.