City Council members on Tuesday said they favor spending another $50,000 to lease 10 pieces of public art for display at the First Street Steps.
Virginia Ann Sharber, who heads the local public art panel, said the art is valued at over $270,000 if purchased.
She said the city will likely wind up owning some of the pieces - just as it did on the first 10 pieces of sculpture that were leased for 18 months.
She said the Rotary Club bought one and donated it to the city. One is to end up at Highland Park and another is at Heritage Park in East Brainerd. Another will go at the new McKamey Animal Trust in Hixson and another to the Riverpark.
Councilwoman Marti Rutherford said, "Every city that is vibrant has wonderful outdoor art."
Councilwoman Sally Robinson said the public art display fits in with another local effort to encourage artists to come live and create in Chattanooga.
Councilman Manny Rico questioned a $30,000 price on one piece titled "Roast Beef." It includes several large rocks in a basket.
He said, "How do you say this is worth $30,000. I've got a lot of rocks."
He added, "The people in my district aren't as cultured. They say to me, 'You are spending all this money on what?"
Ms. Sharber said a committee chose the artists, including a couple of local ones. There were over 200 applicants.
Those chosen:
Nicole Beck, Chicago
Terry Cannon, Signal Mountain
Cessna Decosimo, Chattanooga
Christopher Fennell, Washington, D.C.
Terrence Karpowicz, Chicago
Zoran Mojsilov, Minneapolis
Louise Peterson, Guffey, Colo.
Celeste Roberge, Gainesville, Fla.
Sam Picza, Sartel, Minn.
Michael Stutz, Fall Brook, Calif.