RESOLUTION NO. _____, SERIES 2020
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A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE MAYOR TO REPAIR, RESTORE AND REINSTALL THE KING LOUIS STATUE TO ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION ON 6TH AND JEFFERSON STREETS (AS AMENDED).
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS KRAMER, PIAGENTINI,
ACKERSON, PARKER, AND REED
WHEREAS, our community, our city and our nation have been affected by the relationship between France and its then leader, King Louis XVI and commemorate that relationship through the naming of our city; and
WHEREAS, a statue of Carrara marble weighing 9 tons was commissioned in his honor in France in 1829 and later given to our community more than a century later; and
WHEREAS, in 1954 Louisville formed its first Sister City relationship with Montpellier, France, thanks to the international study opportunities created by the University of Louisville and then Louisville Mayor Andrew Broaddus, and in a “gesture of friendship,” the King Louis XVI statue was gifted to the City of Louisville and its citizens by the Mayor of Montpellier; and
WHEREAS, the King Louis statue was first displayed in Louisville 53 years ago, in 1967, where it has been displayed on the corner of 6th & Jefferson Streets adjacent to both City and Metro Halls; and
WHEREAS, the statue of King Louis was damaged this summer during protests and later removed from its longstanding location to prevent additional damage; and
WHEREAS, much concern over the return of this historic piece of international art, symbolizing our close relationship with our Sister City causes the Metro Council to seek, if feasible, the expeditious repair, restoration, and reinstallation of the King Louis statue back at its permanent home at 6th and Jefferson Streets. submit this resolution seeking the repair, restoration and reinstallation of the King Louis statue back at its permanent home at 6th and Jefferson Streets as soon as it is possible.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (“METRO COUNCIL”) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Metro Council requests the Mayor to engage a qualified art restoration expert to explore the feasibility and estimated costs of repairing the King Louis statue and returning it to its original location at 6th and Jefferson Streets.
SECTION II: The Metro Council requests the Mayor repair the King Louis statue and return it to its original location at 6th and Jefferson Streets.
SECTION III: The Metro Council requests the Mayor to pursue philanthropic, federal, funds including but not limited to CARES funds or and/or other third-party funds for these repairs.
SECTION IIIIV: The Metro Council requests the Mayor to provide an estimate of the use existing Metro funds to be used, if any. if other funds are not secured timely.
SECTION IVV: The Metro Council requests that the Administration provide Council with monthly updates regarding any restoration and reinstallation of the King Louis statue.
SECTION VI: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
___________________________ ___________________________
Sonya Harward David James
Metro Council Clerk President of the Metro Council
___________________________ ___________________________
Greg Fischer Approval Date
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: _________________________
R-149-20 V.3 110520 Restore King Louis Statue to 6th and Jefferson - mhh