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Much Anticipated Art Installed in Macomb Park

Rich Egger

Crews from Laverdiere Construction installed a roughly 1,500 pound sign on top of the northwest pillars in Chandler Park on December 5. The black, classically ornate sign is made of recycled metal. It was created by local artist Matt Myers.

My%20stuff%20generally%20gets%20sent%20off%20to%20other%20states%20and%20I%20never%20see%20them%20again...%20It%27s%20good%20to%20have%20something%20here.

“My stuff generally gets sent off to other states and I never see them again,” Myers said. “Macomb is my adopted hometown so it’s good to have something here.”

Mayor Mike Inman said it’s an ideal place for a sign given the amount of traffic that goes by the park every day on Highways 136 and 67.

“A lot of folks were concerned that we have a lot of events downtown in Chandler Park but there was no immediate signage that denotes Chandler Park,” Inman said.

The mayor said the sign also serves as a welcome to the downtown district and is consistent with what is envisioned for the downtown revitalization project.

“I think Mr Myers’ design was right on the money,” said Inman, adding the work is more than a sign, it’s a piece of art.

The cost of creating the sign, powder coating it, and rebuilding the pillars so they could support it added up to around $10,000.  Entities that contributed money include the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Macomb, the McDonough County Historical Society, Macomb Beautiful, and Grand Prairie Assisted Living.

In addition, Laverdiere Construction charged a much lower price to rebuild the pillars, and donated its time and manpower to install the art work.

Sarah Wallick, Downtown and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Chamber, said a bit more money is needed to cover the cost. She anticipated a fundraiser will be held in the park in the spring.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.