By Jason Islas
Staff Writer

May 14, 2012 -- The Landmarks Commission will decide Monday night whether or not it is within the limits of its power to designate Santa Monica's iconic “Chain Reaction” sculpture as a landmark.

However, a report commissioned by the City in order to better inform the commission's decision by seeking out precedents of landmark-designated outdoor sculptures in the country showed that they are rare occurrences.

“A preliminary review of four major U.S. cities – Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco – suggests that formal landmark designation of public artworks of any kind is exceptionally rare,” said a report prepared by ICF International.

The Watts Towers is the only case of landmark-designated outdoor sculpture found by ICF International.

A decision to designate the 26-foot tall sculpture by cartoonist Paul Conrad would mean that any alterations to the work or its elimination would be prohibited by City Code, according to City staff.

In March, the City Council voted unanimously to give supporters of the statue, which City officials worry poses a public safety risk due to structural degradation over the years, until November to raise funds to further investigate the extent of the statue's structural damage and to pay for repairs.

Structural engineers have determined repairs would cost between $227,372 and $423,172, but the exact amount can't be known without taking a close – and more invasive – look at the structure, City officials said.

A landmark designation would make further investigation impossible.

Since the City began discussing the possibility of removing the structure, Conrad's family has spearheaded the effort to raise money to save the statue.

At a City Council meeting in March, David Conrad, the artist's son, called the work one of his “most meaningful and important works of art.”

The cultural impact of the sculpture is likely to factor largely into the commission's decision Monday night.

However, CFI's report warns that the cultural impact “is exceptionally difficult to ascertain because there is insufficient information.”

“We cannot come to any conclusion regarding the cultural influence of 'Chain Reaction' on the City,” the report said.