The Perryville Board of Alderman on Tuesday approved two projects, one intended to improve connectivity in the city and the other to improve its aesthetics.
Perry County Heritage Tourism Director Trish Erzfeld proposed a sculpture trail that would consist of five different pieces that would be approved by a “juror” so as not to be vulgar or dangerous to residents in the community who would visit them and would follow a possible theme.
The juror would be someone knowledgeable in public art and would be responsible for curating the exhibit. Erzfeld has already reached out the Southeast Missouri State University art professor Chris Wubbena on the possibility of being a juror.
She believes it would be a valued addition to the city.
“It provides culture, aesthetic and economic vitality to the city,” Erzfeld said. “Good public art improves any site by engaging us and makes us pay attention to our environment and look at what’s around us and gives us a connection to our history.”
Erzfeld proposed five separate locations in the city limits that would provide good visibility for each item. Her five locations would include three different locations on the north end of Miget Park, across from the Perryville Post Office and in the city parking lot in the downtown square.
The sculptures would be placed on a 4x4-foot concrete slab, which would serve as a “stage” for each item.
“With Perryville becoming a 5G city, I think it would bring more people into the community to enjoy the art,” Erzfeld said.
Which brought the board to another important item on the agenda.
The board approved a special permit to allow the installation of a 140-foot monopole antenna structure at 617 West St. Joseph Street that would attach an AT&T antenna to improve cellular service, basically making Perryville a 5G city. The project was recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission during their October 28 meeting. In conjunction with the construction of the new tower. City Attorney Tom Ludwig proposed changes to the city’s tower ordinance to better align it with federal laws. Newer towers can be made to fold over into themselves in the event of damage, greatly minimizing the damage that could be done to nearby property.
In other business, city administrator Brent Buerck brought up an issue with the swimming pool at the Perry Park Center. The main pool is losing inches of water from a possible leak, which has not yet been located.
