Now officials say statue needs painting

By Chuck Hunt, Faribault County Register

BLUE EARTH — A crack in one of the feet of the Green Giant statue has been repaired.

Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cindy Lyon reported the good news to the Blue Earth City Council recently.

Lyon said a person from a company called Fastcorp came to give an estimate for repairing the crack in the fiberglass of the giant’s right foot.

“But he said he could do the repairs right then and there, so we had him do it,” Lyon told the council members. “It took him about four hours of labor.”

The fee was $397, which included the time and materials plus mileage. The cost was split between the chamber and the Blue Earth Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lyon said.

“But, now, we need to paint the entire giant statue,” the chamber director said. “The paint has faded since the last time it was painted.”

One estimate to paint the 60-foot statue is $15,500 and that does not include a lift and compressor rental, which could boost the cost to $20,000.

Lyon said she and Department of Public Works Supervisor Jamison Holland are exploring other options for painting it.

“My question is, who actually owns the statue, and will the city budget money for the painting?” she asked. “And does the city have insurance on the statue? It would cost $75,000 if we had to replace it.” Lyon pointed out that former chamber Director Shelly Greimann and City Administrator Ben Martig agreed the city owned it and the city paid for the last painting, in 2006, with some assistance from the chamber.

Blue Earth Mayor Rick Scholtes said the council will discuss the matter in its budget discussions.

Lyon said next summer would be best for painting.

She reported there is another crack in the statue, somewhere in his toga leaves.

“Water gets in there and the statue gets water inside,” Lyon said. “That moisture gets inside the statue, down in his ankles and shoes.”