TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Beth Beatty, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
A Resolution Approving the Execution of a License Agreement for the Installation of Public Art at 706 N. Broadway Street.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Joliet was contacted by St. Mary Nativity Church in January of 2024 about relocating the George Mikan sculpture from its current location at the northeast corner of Broadway Street and Ingalls Avenue to the landscape bed south of Ruby Street at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church at 706 N. Broadway Street. An exhibit showing the approximate location of the relocated sculpture has been attached. George Mikan was a Hall of Fame basketball player who won seven professional league titles and made four All-Star appearances as a member of the Chicago American Gears and Minneapolis Lakers. Mikan grew up in the St. Mary’s Nativity neighborhood and attended Joliet Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1942. Mikan went on to play basketball at DePaul University, graduating in 1946.
The Church expressed interest in relocating the sculpture to its property due to its historical and cultural ties to the Mikan family. Staff and the Church agree that the proposed location will provide a more prominent viewpoint for the sculpture along Ruby Street. The Church wishes to have a rededication ceremony on June 15, 2024, to commemorate the 100th birthday of George Mikan. Mikan passed away in 2005.
The subject License Agreement details the terms over which the City of Joliet and St. Mary Nativity Church may maintain the subject sculpture.
CONCLUSION:
Approval of the License Agreement will allow the City of Joliet to relocate and maintain an existing sculpture of George Mikan to the Ruby Street landscape bed at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church at 706 N. Broadway Street.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
The Administration recommends the Mayor and City Council approve the License Agreement.
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