Giant lightbulbs, stags and statues of dancers are among the ideas submitted so far for a new landmark statue for the city.
The former GE Lighting factory site, in Rushey Mead, is being transformed into a new Sainsbury's store and the supermarket chain is going to pay £70,000 for a large work of art for the corner of Troon Way and Melton Road.
A panel of judges has been set up and members of the public have been invited to send in their thoughts on what a suitable landmark should be.
Scores of suggestions have been submitted so far, with a lot of people coming up with ideas incorporating lightbulbs – millions of which were once made on the site.
Other ideas include a statue of Leicester-raised broadcaster David Attenborough and a giant DNA double helix to celebrate the city's breakthrough in genetic fingerprinting, led by Sir Alec Jeffreys.
Among the bright designs is the one pictured right, sketched by John Inchley, 67, of Syston, who wanted a giant bunch of steel rushes to celebrate Rushey Mead, with bulbs in the tops of the rushes.
He said: "I was brought up next to the factory and my mum worked there making munitions in the war, and later making bike lights.
"It's a brilliant idea to have the landmark there and I'd like it to be 30ft high rushes that light up at night to commemorate the people who worked in the building."
Another person who e-mailed the panel said: "How about a huge light bulb made up of thousands of smaller bulbs in different colours on a rotation of different coloured cycles?
"GE was well known for its Christmas lights. I was gutted when it was knocked down as were a lot of people who lived in the area and worked there."
Another entrant said: "It could feature Afro-Carribean, Asian, British and Eastern European dancers featuring a character from each group dancing in a circle and placed high on a pedestal for all to see. It could rotate and be powered by the wind and also be illuminated at night time."
Someone else who sent in a bulb-themed idea said: "My idea is to have a very large bulb to reflect the history of the site.
"This bulb could be covered in LED lights that are hooked up to a computer in order to produce images and colours."
Another suggested an illuminated glass statue of a Bradgate Park stag rearing up on its hind legs.
The final decision on the design will be made by the judges, chaired by Keith Vaz, MP for the area.
Other members of the panel include Leicester Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth, business leader Dharmesh Lakhani and Karen Hammond, who is head teacher at nearby Mellor Primary School and an artist.
Schools and community groups are also coming up with their ideas over the next two months.
The consultation will close on June 30. To submit an idea to the judging panel, e-mail:
leicesterlegacy2013@gmail.com
