Art project expansion eyed for Preston St.

The Preston Street BIA is considering producing two additional columns to accompany the other 15 art pieces already installed along Preston Street.

Following a letter to the City of Ottawa arts program from Eric Darwin, president of the Dalhousie Community Association, the Preston Street BIA is looking into whether the funds are available for the task.

Lori Mellor, the BIA’s executive director, says the association is waiting to hear back from the city as to whether there is enough money remaining in the sewer and watermain reconstruction budget that could be transferred to accommodate the building of the pillars.

The funds designated for an art project in the area have already been used to facilitate the building of the other 15 columns by artist cj fleury.

Although there are granite column pieces available that could be used to build the additional two columns, Mellor says the city would still need $30,000 to finish them.

“cj fleury would need $22,000 to pay for the stone and finish them and the city would need $4,000 per footing to place the item.”

There is no confirmation if the columns will be installed.