The Reno City Council will soon vote on a $17 million budget increase that would fund the purchase and maintenance of a Space Whale sculpture, according to This is Reno.
The budget proposes $137,500 in funding for “Space Whale Agreements,” which includes $62,500 for the purchase of the sculpture and $75,000 in repairs.
Mayor Hillary Schieve of Reno met with the artist in September to consider purchasing the piece, but city officials refused to disclose the details of their discussion at the time.
“Are you a green light on this or a Stop?” Our Town Reno queried on Twitter. “… What to do with the frittering sculpture has been a source of back and forth for years?”
The sculpture has been a “subject of controversy” following several unsuccessful efforts to sell it or have it acquired by another institution, according to This is Reno.
Additionally, This is Reno noted that the statue’s location on City Plaza may violate the city’s public art policies.
The proposed budget also includes $1.5 million to hire 20 new firefighters and $4 million for the seismic retrofitting of City Hall.
