The City Council has approved spending $9,000 for the conceptual design phase of a public art project, a decision that one Council member called a “leap of faith” that, if taken, could transform the landscape of the downtown around the former jail site.

The Council approved the motion made by Steve Stefanovich at a special meeting Thursday night, held to discuss a variety of upcoming capital projects on the horizon. The $9,000 phase will bring in two people, including the artist herself, to put together a conceptual design for the former jail site off Vance Street, now being referred to as the “central park” site. The design will include a piece of art to be placed there.

“We don’t know exactly what it will be,” said Stefanovich.

Stefanovich, one of 10 local people sitting on an arts committee to give input during the process, said the group is passionate about the project and have met numerous times to discuss it. During that process, they have been shown an array of possible art — from bronze pieces, glass art, murals, water-based art and others — that could be placed in the downtown.

“Hours and hours have been spent discussing this; it has been a very detailed, well-organized effort,” said Stefanovich, who said the talks have generated a great amount of “excitement” amongst committee members. “It would be a wonderful addition to our area. You almost have to be in those meetings. If you were, I think you would look at that $9,000 and say ‘Is that all?’ It’s been a grand experience for all of us. I would move we spend $9,000 knowing that there would be more money to be funded down the line.”

Mayor Lew Starling inquired as to the possible source of those monies. Beyond the $9,000 conceptual phase, implementation would require an estimated $50,000 budget, with likely sources being $25,000 from a state Arts Council grant with a $25,000 local match.

Stefanovich said there has been talk of private dollars, but “none of that has been solidified yet.” City funds should accompany private funds, he said.

Stefanovich said he knows expending any amount of money for something in the idea stage is a lot — but he is confident that something positive will come out of it.

“It’s a lot of money and this is not something we’re used to spending money on,” said Stefanovich. “I know it’s strange to say ‘Give me 9 grand and we’re not sure what you’ll get, but it’ll cost 9 grand.’ It’s a bit of a leap of faith, but from a visionary standpoint, I think this would be a next step.”

Lisa Turlington, director of the Arts Council, has noted to city officials that membership for the Sampson County Arts Council is down and it does not have the money to move forward. It would be relying on the city to fund initial costs.

‘Normally this would be something paid for by the Arts Council,” Stefanovich noted. “The Sampson County Arts Council is still in its infancy. They don’t have any money. So it’s a situation where either you pay it or we stop dead in our tracks and maybe pick it up later.”

In August, the Arts Council received a $5,000 grant to develop a public art plan, which was matched by the city. City officials also partnered with the Arts Council to provide resources in devising that plan. That included putting together the committee, which then looked into artists they could attract to the project.

City manager John Connet said that, throughout project talks, the committee has been conscious of cost and dismissed art endeavors that would be beyond the monetary scope of the city and the Arts Council.

They have tentatively decided on Heidi Lippman, who has various works of glass, mosaic and terrazzo art to her name, as well as works on rooftops and studio works for interior and exterior settings. One particular work adorns large glass windows inside Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport.

Turlington also said that Kofi Boone, an assistant professor of landscape architecture at N.C. State, has been solicited to get a local expert to speak to Clinton representatives about the project. Lippman and Boone would work together as part of the conceptual process.

“In talking to (the artist), I think she would be interested in making whatever it is fit our community,” Stefanovich remarked. Connet said that process would likely include Lippman interviewing local residents and “getting a feel for the community” before putting together a design.

The public art piece would be borne out of the community, and would be a great step forward for it, Stefanovich said.

“It’s an investment in our city, just like we’re buying lots and tearing down (dilapidated) houses,” he said. “I think it’s a wonderful step and a visionary step for a city our size.”

Councilwoman Jean Turlington seconded that.

“If it takes $9,000 to light the fire,” she said, “You got to light the fire.”

After that, Stefanovich again made his motion and the Council voted to move forward with the conceptual design phase.

“I think you all will be pleasantly surprised,” he said.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.