Spokane’s $583K Riverfront Park Sculpture Faces Uncertain Future
A public art installation in Spokane’s Riverfront Park, plagued by structural issues and vandalism just two years after its opening, is facing an uncertain future as city officials grapple with how to address its deteriorating condition.
The Stepwell sculpture, funded by more than $500,000 in taxpayer money from a 2014 park bond, has been intermittently fenced off due to safety concerns and repeated graffiti. Emails obtained through public records requests reveal Spokane Parks and Recreation employees have expressed growing frustration with the artwork’s durability, particularly with the Alaskan yellow cedar material chosen by the original architects, Howeler and Yoon Architecture. “To be honest, there was concern during that selection process of the type of material that was going to be used,” said Parks and Recreation Director Garrett Jones.
Problems began shortly after the April 2023 opening, with Riverfront Park Director Jonathan Moog noting in an email just four months later that they were “astounded by how the Stepwell is being treated.” Concerns escalated as gaps began to appear between the sculpture’s interconnected pieces, leading to the installation being closed for repairs and to deter vandalism. The situation is particularly concerning as public art installations are often intended to boost local tourism and civic pride; a failed project can impact future funding opportunities. Adding to the challenges, the artist involved with the project has since left the firm, further complicating potential repairs.
City officials are currently planning to hire a contractor to tighten the structure and repaint it this fall, with completion expected in the spring. “We don’t want to give up,” Jones said. “We want to honor the intent of what the artist had.” However, a full engineering assessment is still pending, and officials acknowledge the possibility that the Stepwell may not be salvageable. You can learn more about Alaskan yellow cedar and its properties on lumber company websites.
Moog stated that they remain confident in reopening the Stepwell, but emphasized the need to prioritize safety and await the results of the engineering evaluation.
