Snelson statue goes up at Riverfront Crossings Park in Iowa City

IOWA CITY - A public art piece has a new home at Riverfront Crossings Park in Iowa City.

'Four Module Piece,” created by renowned sculptor Kenneth Snelson, has been relocated and reconfigured.

Originally acquired by the city in 1975 through a National Endowment for the Arts grant and local fundraising, the sculpture was placed downtown, where the University of Iowa Biology Building is now. The sculpture was moved to Terrell Mill Park in 1997, where the sculpture remained until this year.

The sculpture is placed in an elevated position at the entrance to Riverfront Crossings Park. Lighting will be added in the future, according to the city.

The sculpture was reconfigured because when it was placed at Terrell Mill Park, it was not configured to its original design.

Ben Clark, senior engineer for the city of Iowa City, said the construction contract at Riverfront Crossings Park was awarded to All American Concrete of West Liberty for $500,000.

Additionally, David Dennis, of Iowa City, restored, relocated and reconfigured the sculpture for $57,000. His work including repairing and bead-blasting the tubing, and repairing and replacing caps and cables on the sculpture, Clark said.

Confluence of Cedar Rapids provided the conceptual design for $48,000, Clark said.

Comments: (319) 339-3155; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com