Wenatchee Chooses Artist for US 2/Easy Street Roundabout Art Installation

The Wenatchee City Council will go with artist CJ Rench's concept 'Valley of Fruition' to fill the center of the future US 2 and Easy Street roundabout, although the design will likely change between now and when it goes up.

Rench's concept was chosen by an evaluation committee from among three finalists, all of whom made presentations at a March 15th meeting. The concept originally included a large, abstract, multi-colored center piece but it appears likely to be replaced in some way. A possible future concept could include an apple tree sculpture as well as native vegetation and pollinators.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director David Erickson said staff will work with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) over the next six months to develop a public art plan for the piece.

"It includes everything from a maintenance agreement with WSDOT to the planting plan." Erickson said, "It also has a whole series of new requirements that WSDOT has to approve on this."

The hope is to have a plan for the art installation by October. WSDOT will ask for construction bids in December, with work beginning next year.

The city will pay $200,000 for the art installation. The entire roundabout project is estimated to cost about $5 million, with most of the cost being paid for by the state.