Letters Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for Billy Martin, there’s no beauty in the “copper curtain” sculpture adorning the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

The Thousand Oaks resident would like to see the copper panels redesigned to resemble an oak tree, which he thinks would be a more appropriate design for the city.

Martin first made the suggestion in 2001 when the city issued a request for proposals. A decision was put off when the city became involved in a lawsuit against the Civic Arts Plaza builder due to structural and other problems.

The issue is now resurfacing as the city seeks to create a master plan, identifying potential projects to repair the facility. The copper curtain may be one of the projects, but if it is, it will be after the troublesome leaks that plagued some city offices this past rainy season are addressed. It will also come after the creation of a parking entrance on the east side of the building to accommodate vehicles coming or going to the new shopping/retail complex being built adjacent to the Civic Arts Plaza, according to Facilities Manager Tom Hare.

Once projects are identified and decided upon, they will be implemented over a 10-year period, added Hare.

“We are looking at the Civic Arts Plaza as a whole, rather than by individual projects,” Hare said.

Councilmember Dennis Gillette says he likes the oak tree idea, but he recalls the sculpture as being a controversial issue about which everyone in the community had an opinion.

“When you bring a project to the community and ask for opinions, don’t be surprised by what you get,” Gillette said.

According to Martin, the original concept for the sculpture called for it to wave in the wind, symbolizing leaves.

“It would have been far more interesting art, but somebody decided it would be distracting to drivers and unsafe,” Martin said.

Martin’s suggestion is to mount lightweight aluminum “branches” to alter the copper curtain, rather than removing the existing sculpture. He estimates it would cost about $25,000, which he says could be covered through fundraising. He recently spoke to Councilmember Andy Fox about his idea, and Martin says Fox was receptive.

“That is the most recognizable building on the 101 Freeway from L.A. to Santa Barbara. The art will be the crown jewel of the freeway corridor . . . ,” Martin said, “a legacy for anyone involved and a permanent living memorial to the people who live and work here.”