I have a feeling that these toys are like catnip to kids. We'll just have to wait and see. Only three days later, and today when I rode past the Portal, somebody had gotten the Milo that was facing the sidewalk. I'm afraid that they damaged the portal and the stump in the process. I think that we're nearing the end of the run for this piece.
Plans are underway for the decommissioning ceremony.
Incidentally, I'm not the only artist dealing with the abandoned stumps of Oakland. Check out the 1400 block of West 12th St, between Mandela and Center. There's two carved and painted figurative pieces done by a local sculptor of some renown. If you want his name, get in touch with me and convince me that you're not some kind of art cop, and then we can deal. Here's the man himself, painting some kids playing.