Council authorizes staff to negotiate with artist Travis Pond for Willamette Main Street bike‑kiosk art

West Linn City Council authorized staff on Jan. 6, 2025, to negotiate a contract with artist Travis Pond to create a permanent art piece for the Willamette Main Street bicycle kiosk.

Doug Erickson, the city’s library and community services manager, introduced the arts and culture commission co‑chairs, who outlined a year‑long selection process. Co‑chairs Chaitrine Craig and Cherry Hudnut said the commission opened a call for artists, received six applications, shortlisted two finalists, and interviewed the top candidates before selecting Pond. The recommended design is a layered metal sculpture that incorporates bicycle parts and local imagery, including references to the blue heron and other West Linn motifs; the artist proposed using recycled metals and said the work will be finished to eliminate sharp edges and climbing opportunities.

Jody Carson, representing the Willamette Main Street design committee, said the neighborhood group and representatives of the biking community supported the project and will continue to coordinate with the artist on final design details. Council discussion noted the kiosk artwork would include a durable metal QR‑code plaque linking to information about the artist and the project, and council members praised the commission’s process.

A council motion to authorize staff to negotiate with Travis Pond for a contract to commission the art passed on a roll call vote. The motion authorizes staff to finalize contract terms and proceed with commissioning the artwork under the city’s percentage‑for‑the‑arts program.