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Letter: How valuable is public art?

Dear Editor, Re: “Manhole covers get artsy,” News April 22. What is with our council’s fascination with public art? A pole and rain cloud for $350,000. Branscome House has sat largely vacant after a $301,500 reno.
Richmond News
SkyDam
SkyDam, created by artist Nathan Lee, is part of the Art Plinth exhibition, designed to bring some vibrancy and art to the otherwise blank and bland end of the Canada Line’s concrete guideway.

Dear Editor,

Re: “Manhole covers get artsy,” News April 22.

What is with our council’s fascination with public art?

A pole and rain cloud for $350,000. Branscome House has sat largely vacant after a $301,500 reno.

Don’t get me started about the Canada Line plinth! Now, we have these beautiful new manhole covers.

If this public art is so valuable, let a private citizen purchase it and donate it to the city. Then we’ll see what its value really is.

I think a far better use of the funds would be to purchase a new MRI or CT scanner for Richmond’s residents.

Chris Dyck 

Richmond