Council Considers Public Safety Recognition Options

At its October 13, 2020 meeting, the City Council discussed ways to honor Addison Police Officer Ronnie Cox who was killed in the line of duty on December 15, 1986. Based on direction from Council at that meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Janna Tidwell developed both short-term and long-term solutions that she shared with Council at its February 23 meeting. The short-term solution, which Council directed staff to move forward with, includes creating a small plaza at the Addison Police Department that would align with the Liberty Bell Plaza located across the street at the Fire Station and feature a plaque for Officer Cox similar to plaques displayed in other parks.

The long-term solution involves creating a steering committee with representatives from the Addison Arbor Foundation and Addison Police, Fire, and Parks that would issue a national call for art asking artists to submit proposals for a public art installation. The committee would select two to three site locations the artists could consider for their proposed installation and then select two to three finalists to be paid a small stipend to expand, develop and present their concepts further. The committee would recommend finalists for Council consideration and approval. Once approved, the Town would enter into a contract agreement with the artist for the commissioning of the artwork and installation. Council gave staff direction to move forward with this long-term solution and discussed a budget range of $100,000 - $200,000 for the project.