Gaslight District developer gets behind artwork project

CAMBRIDGE — Hip Developments has earmarked $2 million for a creative installation at its Gaslight District project in Cambridge.

“We wanted to make sure it had enough funding to do something truly amazing,” Scott Higgins, president of Hip, said Wednesday.

This will be the first “creative intersection” in the region under an initiative led by the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region.

The Creative Intersections Strategy is focused on erecting permanent installations at key intersections in public spaces across the region.

The strategy was the final project for the region by Creative Enterprise Initiative, an organization that received financial support from local governments since 2010 to help make the region a more vibrant place to attract investment and talent. Politicians decided 2016 would be its last year of funding, and as it wound down operations its last endeavour was crafting the Creative Intersections Strategy.

Hip said it is pleased to be the “catalyst” by funding the first installation.

“When we heard about what they were doing, we jumped on board,” Higgins said.

“We think it’s such a great idea.”

The Gaslight District in historic downtown Galt will include two tall residential towers, retail and commercial space and a large public square. The design will incorporate buildings from the former Southworks foundry.

The plan got final approval from Cambridge council earlier this month.

While Hip is fully funding the installation, a jury will decide on the winning submission.

An international design competition will begin this summer with an open call to artists. The jury will shortlist five teams this fall, who will then put together formal proposals.

“It will be really neat to see what the art community responds with,” Higgins said.

It is expected the competition will close early next year and the installation will be tied into construction of the district, which begins in the spring.