There are several large "art" pieces scattered throughout downtown (and at least one in Elston Grove [at 8th & Michigan Boulevard]). They are all metal, probably done by the same "artist".

Does anybody know who is footing the bill for these?

The last set was all donated. I am sure this one is as well.

Art is great and the Beacher.com, newspaper, dedicates a lot of space to art issues. What MC needs however are good jobs and economic development. This cry is heard all over the Midwest. I live in Western PA, where, Just like Northern Indiana, the Steel economy collapsed in the early 80's.

Pittsburgh has just been rated by Money magazine as the most livable large city. Real estate is very reasonable and two major university's PIT and Carnegie Mellon, have great technology departments. There is a lot of high tech going on in the city and it attracts young well educated people and they are living in the downtown area rather then out in the burbs.

I have been in this area for over 25 years and it has been a long hard slog and it is not over yet. The area is still depressed in many smaller surrounding communities. The "Mon" valley, (that's Monongahela valley towns along the river) are all in bad shape.

As read this blog and site I see a lot of parallels to MC and it is just too bad that MC can't seem to get its act together. Many parts of the country have had hard times and some have stayed there and some make the best of what they have. All I can say is I hope MC does well. I still consider it my home town and I am proud to be from there.