Once upon a time Andy Warhol wanted to brighten the Tacoma Dome with a flower, but 30 years after his proposal was rejected, the City of Tacoma wants it back.

Warhol's "Flower for Tacoma Dome" proposal was rejected in a one-percent-for-the-arts competition to design the roof of the new building in 1982. Instead, the panel of judges chose a simple blue triangle design, which ultimately led to the demise of the city's public arts program.

But there's now hope Warhol's project will be brought back to life after the city retained ownership of the artist's two lithographs, appraised for $70,000. The lithographs are based on a hybrid flower that later inspired "The Daisy," one of Warhol's most recognized creations.

The city arts administrator, Tacoma Arts Museum, and Tacoma Dome manager all want the original design to be placed on the roof.

They hope the Warhol Foundation will allow the flower to be painted on the roof when it's time to be replaced.

97.3 KIRO FM Staff, Staff report