The City of Perry has officially entered into a contract to be a part of the “In the Shadow of the Rails” art project.

The project is being spearheaded by the City of Waukee, which is seeking to put a similar-themed piece of art in each city along the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The Perry City Council had previously approved the design for the art to be placed in the City, and the contract with RDG Planning and Design moves the process forward even more. City Administrator Sven Peterson says participating in the project was a no-brainer for Perry, as it fits in well with the City’s growing public art collection that includes the Streetscape sculptures along Willis Avenue.

“This is kind of a continuation of the initial Waukee project down there at Hickman (Road). So we’ll have a couple of those columns with Perry signage on them. So that’ll also be nice to be able to have that regional art involvement, as well as kind of our own local unique thing going on on Willis Avenue Boulevard. We’re excited about all of the artwork going on. We’re a biking destination, but adding this artwork not only adds a whole nother layer of people that will want to come see it, but also it’ll provide something for those bikers and other visitors to look at.”

Peterson adds, the City will begin fundraising for the project soon, with any additional money needed coming from the local option sales tax funds. Construction of Perry’s branch of “In the Shadow of the Rails” will likely begin this spring.