The Eye-ful Tower

by Will Compernolle Artist Tony Tasset’s three-stories-tall eyeball at State and Van Buren in Chicago, simply titled “EYE,” has gotten mixed reviews from bystanders waiting for its official unveiling on July 7th. But almost more noteworthy than a giant eyeball in the middle of the city is the fact that, according to CNN, EYE cost taxpayers...

by Will Compernolle

Artist Tony Tasset’s three-stories-tall eyeball at State and Van Buren in Chicago, simply titled “EYE,” has gotten mixed reviews from bystanders waiting for its official unveiling on July 7th. But almost more noteworthy than a giant eyeball in the middle of the city is the fact that, according to CNN, EYE cost taxpayers six figures to install.

At a time when everyone is forced to do some budget-tightening, the Chicago city government is paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to install an eyeball for a duration of less than four months. The funds will come from “a special tax paid by property owners on State Street.” An obvious suggestion for the city of Chicago in economic times like these is to make sure any spending of taxpayer dollars is absolutely necessary.

Calls to the Chicago Loop Alliance and the City of Chicago for an exact cost of the installation were not returned.

For more info about Eye, watch this ABC 7 News piece, full of all the puns you’ve probably thought of by this point.