Port seeks county support for large waterfront eagle public‑art project ahead of summer unveiling

Gail, a member of the America 250 committee, asked the Cowlitz County commissioners to consider supporting a proposed public‑art installation at a local port to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. The committee showed a five‑slide PowerPoint of the concept and offered to help promote an unveiling and related events.

Gail said the project team estimates about $100,000 for construction and about $40,000 for installation. She said the Port has already offered to offset a considerable amount of the cost and that local donors and municipalities would also be solicited. “Total cost for the project would be about 100,000 for the construction and another 40,000 for installation,” Gail said.

Mark Wilson, introduced for the record as executive director with the port, told commissioners the commission has not yet taken action but will consider entering into a contract with the artist, Kevin Stone, that requires a roughly $50,000 deposit to start fabrication. “It weighs close to 3,000 pounds when it's done, and it's all structural steel,” Wilson said, describing the work as heavy gauge and designed with engineering input to withstand strong waterfront winds.

Commissioners asked about siting and whether the sculpture would be mounted; Wilson said decisions about height and mounting were still under discussion but stressed the plan would include a structural‑engineering review and foundation design. Gail and the port said the artist needs about four to five months of fabrication time, so timing is tight for a summer unveiling.

No formal county commitment was requested or made at the workshop. Staff and commissioners signaled interest in exploring whether county funds or trail‑related dollars could be reallocated to support the project; any formal financial request would be brought to a future agenda for board action.

Looking ahead, organizers said they would present formal materials to the board and to community partners, and the port commission would consider the contract deposit at its upcoming meeting.