Public funds not being spent properly

To the editor:

Regarding the Feb. 11 story 'Bids come in high on Greene Square Park makeover”:

What are we getting for $1.738 million? I know construction costs are high, but this seems ridiculous. Next comes a sculpture projected to cost $650,000. If private donors want to foot the bill for an expensive sculpture that is great, but public funds for a sculpture costing that much is simply irresponsible.

Linn County Board of Supervisors say they would commit $250,000 toward a sculpture for the new park. Aren't county tax dollars to be spent for county projects? Does this sound like responsible management of county funds?

I would like to see what we are going to get for $2 million that can be justified with common sense, responsibly spent public funds by our city and county leaders.

With that kind of money to be used on a park that will likely benefit a small percentage of our city and likely none of our county population, I think the city and county leaders need to show more responsibility with their handling of public funds.

Frank Zieser

Cedar Rapids