The Lexington City Public Art Commission on March 4 reviewed a conceptual site plan for a Lewis and Harriet Hayden memorial at the corner of North Limestone and Fourth Street and indicated it will release sculpture funds after receiving finalized site plans.

The presentation, led by Larry Kiesel, chairman of the memorial committee, and Samantha Castro of TSW Architects, described a multi-element site that would place a bronze sculpture by Atlanta artist Basil Watson on a raised limestone base and surround it with interpretive features and a small “learning lawn.” Castro said the team is working "to get the monument itself situated in the ground for Juneteenth. Fingers crossed," and that the conceptual plan was being finalized so the sculptor could determine the exact placement.

Commissioners said the memorial is an important educational opportunity for nearby schools and trail users, but raised technical and maintenance questions that must be resolved before the commission releases city funding. The commission said it had previously indicated it would release $100,000 for the sculpture once commissioners had the necessary site documents and a finalized on-site location; members agreed they could review those documents by email to speed the schedule.

The design presented includes a raised stone base set 30 inches above grade, a bronze zigzag inset intended for a local timeline, a story wall with space for plaques and a corner installation of a poem by Frank X. Walker, donor pavers and a larger donor stone, and low-maintenance plantings such as inkberry and azalea. The plan also identified the nearby Legacy Trail and a learning lawn intended for school groups and community gatherings.

Commissioners pressed for technical documentation before releasing funds. Castro and other presenters said a geotechnical investigation and soils testing will be done after the sculptor confirms the final location; the team plans to take soil samples at the sculpture footprint and then finalize structural and civil design. Commissioners and staff emphasized three categories of documents they need to see: a recorded survey with easements and setbacks; a plan view showing utilities and exact monument placement; and civil/structural documents that address grading, drainage and footing design. One staff member noted a stamped structural drawing had been submitted for the sculpture foundation but said site coordination and property-line details still needed clarification.

Commissioners repeatedly flagged site-specific concerns: drainage and curb heights at the intersection, overhead utilities on Fourth Street and Limestone, sight lines and traffic safety given prior crashes in nearby locations, and an existing detention basin behind the proposed learning lawn that interacts with Fayette County Public Schools property. Presenters said the sculpture will sit within a small parcel and easement transferred by the school district to Parks and Recreation for the project and that the exact location would be determined on a site visit with the sculptor.

The commission also discussed ongoing and long-term maintenance. Commissioners suggested the project explore a small foundation or dedicated maintenance fund to cover operations beyond standard Parks and Recreation services, modeled on arrangements used for other downtown public art projects. Staff confirmed the city requires a maintenance fund and noted that conservation and maintenance planning is part of the commission’s normal review.

Next steps: the sculptor will visit the site to confirm placement; soils testing and geotechnical work will follow; civil and structural details will be completed for permitting; and commissioners asked that the survey, site plan showing easements and utilities, and construction documents be emailed to them for review so the commission can release the $100,000 appropriation for the sculpture without waiting for the next meeting. Fundraising and construction of the larger landscape elements were described as a separate phase that will proceed after the sculpture installation.