Sculpture would keep river spot, a bit south By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle The proposed public artwork planned to go along the Fox River Trail will apparently do so a bit south of its originally proposed site. The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority recommended putting the artwork by artist Richard Taylor on a site along the Fox River Trail between St. Brendan's Inn and the Johnson Bank south of Walnut Street. The sculpture, a 12-foot metal collage, had come under fire from the city's Park Committee and City Council when it came time to approve a spot along the river north of Walnut Street. Some objected to the abstract piece on its merits; others because they were not given other options. Tina Quigley of the Northeast Wisconsin Arts Council said that the group was happy with the new site as the sculpture had been designed to go along the river. The RDA had also heard from Ald. Chad Fradette and others in the neighborhood along Webster and Harvey streets who plan a sculpture garden. They offered to take in the sculpture if it could not be placed downtown. Instead, the RDA recommended the new downtown site, and suggested the Arts Council use $5,000 for the proposed sculpture garden. The City Council still must approve the actions. The city had included money for the art in a federal block grant earlier this year, at which time it agreed to provide a site. The Northeast Wisconsin Arts Council sent out a request for artworks, and picked one that fit requirements. Among the requirements was that the sculpture be moveable to fit with possible development at the site. Tina Quigley of the Arts Council said the construction of Nicolet Bank and the proposed condominiums and large building at the corner of Washington and Walnut made placement of the artwork difficult, and the new site would work well. - Direct Development will work with the city on a proposal to take the large green space just north of Mason Street on Broadway and turn it into an "urban village." The company showed a concept including cultural and entertainment activities, a scattering of retail and residential areas on the 13-acre site. Paul Hopfensberger, president of Direct Development, said the concept was being used in several cities, and a partner in the proposal, the development firm C.E.G., had worked with national retailers in developing such plans. Direct Development is seeking a one-year planning option on the site, four times longer than usual for a building development. Hopfensberger said the extra time was necessary because of the size of the project, and said the option should include benchmark goals after six months to show whether goals for the planning are being met. No option was immediately granted, as the city's planning staff will work with Direct Development on setting the interim goals.