Cayce approves troll art installation. But it will cost more than initial price
Cayce debated spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a world-famous art installation for weeks. On Monday, it finally won approval.
But it’ll cost more than the initial price tag.
In February, the city announced that it was in talks with Thomas Dambo, a renowned Danish artist, to bring one of more than 150 of his larger-than-life troll sculptures constructed from reclaimed and recycled materials. The sculpture, officials said, would spur tourism and economic growth that repay the investment three to four times over.
At that time, city council voted to approve negotiations up to $355,000.
Mayor Elise Partin and council members Tiffany Aull and Alice Rose voted to approve a contract with Dambo on Monday. Councilmen Phil Carter and Byron Thomas voted against it.
However, according to the city’s attorney James Smith, the city’s financial responsibility wouldn’t stop at $355,000.
The city would need to spend at between $50,000 and $90,000 in additional funding to support Dambo and his team, which is not included in the project. Annual maintenance on the troll could cost approximately $2,000 to $3,000.
