DIXON, CA (MPG) - Although most Dixonites already refer to the corner of A and First as the Pardi Plaza or Pardi Market site, the stage will officially be named the Jon Pardi Stage after a lengthy discussion about the ceramic artwork on the back of the stage.

Public Relations Officer Madeline Henry gave the presentation alongside Andrew MacDonald, P.E. Senior Project Manager, sharing that on January 14, the landscaping will be complete at a cost of $982,167 to Lister Construction and a 10 percent contingency of $96,385 as so far, there has already been a change order at three percent.

They showed the illustrations and cost estimates of $5,500 for the tile artwork and another $3,000 to install them.

After hearing no comment from the public, Mayor Steve Bird started the discussion on Item 12.2 which was an update on the Pardi Market Plaza, Phase 2 requesting a dedication and naming the stage “Jon Pardi Stage.” He said he hadn’t had a lot of time to really think about it but his first inclination was that the decorative tiles were not representative of all of Dixon and that the guitar, which took up eight tiles, was too much.

“I like the concept but it’s overbearing. I don’t think we need to name the stage; the name of the plaza encompasses it all,” he said.

He suggested tiles picturing the Milk Farm and George’s Orange and the May Fair, be more inclusive of the town. He also thought naming the stage was “redundant.”

At one point City Manager Jim Lindley stated that Jon Pardi was the most famous person to come out of Dixon and there was clear agitation by Dixon Historical Society First Vice President Loran Hoffman in the audience who tried to object and clarify about Dixon’s famous, but Mayor Bird would not reopen the discussion to the public.

Jon Pardi, a Dixon High School graduate who has become a famous country singer, is the grandson of the owner of the original Pardi Market on the corner of East A and South First Street.

The other councilmen had similar opinions but varied on what would be pictured on the tiles and how many tiles they felt should be added due to cost.

Mayor Bird agreed with Dist. 4 Representative Don Hendershot who wanted more time and felt they were rushing for the project to be completed in April and that if it took more time, that was okay because, Hendershot said, “We want to do this thing right.”

After a lengthy discussion, District 1 Rep Scott Pederson motioned that 22 more tiles be added with a fixed cost not to exceed $15,000. The motion passed 3-2 with Bird and Hendershot dissenting.

Another look at the tiles will be brought back and the hope is to open the Pardi Plaza this spring.