by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Despite what may appear to be unforeseen vandalism to six Sea Cow sculptures downtown, project advocates say they expected as much, if not more.
Bonnie Upright, a spokesperson for the Otis Smith Kids Foundation, said similar damage has occurred in other cities who have hosted the program.
“It’s unfortunate, but it happens,” said Upright. “There’s really only been a handful of these types of cases, mostly over the Florida/Georgia weekend, but we were prepared for it.”
Of the reported vandalism, only one case was so severe that the statue will have to be replaced.
Manatee FantaSea, which had been stationed in front of the Museum of Science & History on the Southbank, was stolen and later washed up in front of the Wonderwood Bridge. It was “irreparably damaged.”
“It’s kind of sad, but we are working to replace it right now,” said Upright. “Fortunately that has been the only one damaged to that extent.”
Replacement costs for the statue are approximately $3,000. Repair costs to the other statues have amounted to a fraction of that.
“We expected Florida/Georgia weekend was going to be a test and it was,” said Upright. “We’re pretty confident that kind of damage is behind us.”