Artist Lee Kelly greeted 85 AP owners and guests at a renovation celebration for his impressive steel sculpture, Leland #1, named for his mentor and inspired by the ancient site of Stonehenge. He acknowledged his late wife’s contribution of the enamel panels and how he used, for the main elements, a new steel compound expected to rust only minimally.

But inadequate drainage and ventilation caused excessive rust that affected the panels (one fell 7 years ago) and threatens the sculpture’s stability. To help rescue this important piece of city art, please find donation forms in the mailrooms. Many thanks to Cheryl Vick-Vitaliano and her crew for an enjoyable and enlightening event!

The American Plaza TriMet Ad Hoc Committee met on July 14 with TriMet staff to prepare a report to the AP Board on July 15 regarding possible ways to reimburse AP owners for the land that will be taken for the Light Rail project. Three options were discussed:

1. AP owners would change AP bylaws to allow the Board to sell the property, a plan difficult to do since it requires a 90% yes vote.
2. TriMet would use its right of Eminent Domain to appraise the value of the property and pay AP owners directly for their share. This plan may be the easiest to do since the size of the property to be taken is modest and its value would be divided among approximately 340 owners, resulting in small (and probably non-controversial) payments. Court costs could be saved.

In mid-July vehicles pulled up near Leland #1 and workers began erecting scaffolding and setting barrier cones and tape. Marie Laibinis-Craft, the professional art conservator hired by the Regional Art & Culture Council, was on hand to review beginning phases of the work. She remarked that Artist Lee Kelly had stopped by earlier to inspect the sculpture and looked forward to meeting American Plaza residents at a later date.

In a few days the painted enamel plates had been removed and taken to a workshop for specialized renovation of the surfaces. Other work will involve removal of surface graffiti on the steel portions of the sculpture and the fitting of new interior supports and stainless steel anchor points. The deadline for finishing the work is August 31st, but the conservator predicts that it will be finished by mid-August for the party!

Save the Date!
Friday, August 20th
4:30 to 6:30 pm / Lincoln Lounge

Restoration Celebration
For the Leland #1 Sculpture in our plaza.
With special guest Lee Kelly, creator of Leland #1

Watch bulletin boards for additional information.