Spruce Up Austin, Inc.’s board of directors is studying an offer to be a financial contributor to the proposed Hormel Plaza project.

The estimated cost of the project is $180,000.

The directors met Thursday morning in the conference room at Town Center, downtown Austin.

Gretchen Ramlo, a past president and chairperson of the SUA, Inc. resource development committee, updated members on the Hormel Plaza plans.

The idea for the project originated within SUA, Inc. about a year ago.

According to Ramlo, the project would include a sculpture depicting George A. and Lillian Hormel and their only son, Jay Catherwood Hormel.

Once before, SUA, Inc. attempted to honor George A. Hormel with a community betterment project at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and Eight Street Northeast near the Hormel plant.

The Honor Guards Park, in part, honored the company and the father and son, who created it for their patriotic contributions to life in the city.

There is no other specific park, other place or statue honoring the Hormel family’s contributions to life in the city.

According to Ramlo, the new idea has been embraced in many circles. “Jon Erichson (city engineer) is working on it,” she said.

Ramlo said the committee undertaking the project wants to know if SUA, Inc. will make a financial commitment to the project.

“We’re writing grant applications and considering other fundraising ideas, too,” Ramlo said.

Kathy Borland, SUA, Inc.’s treasurer, said a grant from the former-Weyerhaeuser Paper Company’s foundation in the amount of $2,500 went to SUA, Inc. for the purpose of helping develop Hormel Plaza project.

Making a financial contribution to the project would not set a precedent, according to Mike Ruzek, past-president. “Just last summer we contributed to the Hormel Institute expansion project, too,” Ruzek said.