Cayce wants to spend up to $355K on a giant troll sculpture. Here’s what to know
The City of Cayce is negotiating to bring a towering troll sculpture by world-renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo to town, but contract talks stalled Tuesday after some residents pushed back. The project would make Cayce the first city in South Carolina to host a Dambo troll, though critics question whether it’s worth the price tag.
FULL STORY: Cayce could pay up to $355K for world-famous public art. Some are skeptical
Here are key takeaways:
• The cost: City council voted to authorize an agreement with Dambo for up to $355,000, funded through Cayce’s accommodations and hospitality tax. Officials called it a “one-time capital investment.”
• The draw: Dambo’s larger-than-life troll sculptures are built from reclaimed and recycled materials and hidden in forests and public spaces worldwide. Finding them has become something of a treasure hunt.
• The expected payoff: Cities of similar size report between 30% and 60% increases in park visitation, tens of thousands of new visitors annually and millions of dollars in estimated economic impact, according to a city news release.
• The skepticism: Resident Ron Wright said he doubted the troll would generate significant tax revenue, arguing the $355,000 would be better spent improving Cayce’s aging riverwalk. Resident Chip Salak questioned whether the city had done enough research on costs and upkeep.
• The stall: Councilwoman Alice Rose made a motion to discuss the Dambo troll negotiations Tuesday, but it died without a second.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
