A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena INTRODUCTION 1

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1 Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena GARDEN PASSAGE A COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC ART DESIGN PROJECT AT THE NEW PITTSBURGH ARENA REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 11 INTRODUCTION 1 CONTEXT THE NEW PITTSBURGH ARENA 2 DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND SURROUNDINGS 2 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 3 ARENA PUBLIC ART INITIATIVE 3 GARDEN PASSAGE DESCRIPTION OF OPPORTUNITY 5 PROJECT GOALS 5 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 5 BUDGET 7 TIMELINE 7 SELECTION PROCESS 9 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 11 ATTACHMENTS A. SITE LOCATION B. PROJECT AREA C. GRADING D. SITE PLAN E. RENDERINGS F. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

2 INTRODUCTION The Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, in partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team (Pittsburgh Penguins LP), invites collaborative teams of artists and designers to submit qualifications to be considered for the design of Garden Passage, a new public space being created adjacent to the new Pittsburgh Arena. The Garden Passage will provide an important pedestrian connection between the Arena s southwest and northwest plazas, Fifth Avenue and Centre Avenue, and the Uptown and Hill District neighborhoods. Garden Passage, which is anticipated to be constructed in conjunction with the overall Arena project, will become one of the most significant contemporary open spaces in Pittsburgh. The project is a remarkable opportunity for a collaborative artist design team to create a setting that explores the city s landscape and environmental character its terrain; its vegetation and patterns of water and storm water movement; the unique infrastructure the city has built in response to its mountain setting. In addition, Pittsburgh is committed to practices that have made the city a leader in green design, and Garden Passage should contribute to the Arena s program for achieving designation as the first LEED certified NHL facility. Artists and designers based throughout the U.S. and abroad are invited to form collaborative teams with the necessary expertise to carry this project through construction documentation, fabrication and installation of artworks, and coordination with the Arena construction management. It is envisioned that teams will include, in addition to artists, landscape designers, architects, environmental scientists and/or engineers. A Selection Panel, whose members are drawn from Pittsburgh s arts, culture and design leadership, will review the submitted qualifications and choose up to three finalist teams. Each team will be paid up to $10,000 in design and travel fees to prepare a Design Concept and present it to the Selection Panel. Based on those concepts, the Selection Panel will recommend a team that will be awarded the commission. The selected team will be commissioned to create a Concept Plan and, upon completion of that plan and full funding of the project, prepare a Schematic Design, Final Design and Construction Documentation for the project. The team will be engaged for fabrication and installation of any artworks, and the roles and responsibilities of the design team and the Arena construction manager on the overall construction of the project will be determined as the design of the project emerges. Deadline for submission of qualifications is 4 p.m. E.S.T., February 11, This is a receipt, not a postmark, deadline. Finalists will be notified no later than February 20. Finalists must submit Design Concepts by April 3 and will be asked to make presentations to the Selection Committee on April 8. The selected team will be notified April 17. Contact for additional information: Todd W. Bressi Urban Design Place Planning Public Art 222 Vine St. Philadelphia, PA x103 placedesign@verizon.net Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 1

3 CONTEXT The New Pittsburgh Arena The New Pittsburgh Arena will be a major civic venue and will attract a diverse audience from Pittsburgh and the region, all year around. The arena s primary use will be as the home for the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL hockey team; it will also function as a multipurpose venue for performing arts, entertainment, and other sporting events. While the Mellon Arena, the team s current home, is an iconic feature of Pittsburgh s skyline, the new Arena will be more closely integrated into the cityscape. The building nestles into a steeply sloping site between Fifth Avenue and Centre Avenue. The building edge touches the property lines of both, and the Fifth Avenue edges will have ground floor uses (retail, event ticketing, and the Penguins store) that will animate the façades and provide activity on event and non-event days. The entire building cannot be seen from any one location, affording very different views from different directions. The Arena s main public face will be its western façade, a great glass wall that will provide a dramatic backdrop for the Garden Passage as well as the historic sanctuary of the Church of the Epiphany, adjacent to the site. Otherwise, the Arena s façade is largely brickwork, reflecting the masonry used in surrounding buildings. The façade also includes glass and metallic surfaces that reflect the internal organization of the building; the great glass wall shrouds the main north-south circulation spine of the building, and metallic panels cover service and equipment areas. The Arena s other public face will be the three significant public plazas that are located at the three principal entrances to the arena, and two of which are at either end of Garden Passage. These spaces will provide safe crowd control for persons attending arena events and space for outdoor gatherings and community celebrations. Paving materials, lighting, and landscaping will meet Downtown streetscape standards. The Arena s sponsors are seeking LEED Silver certification for the Arena, which would make it the first NHL venue to obtain that designation. Garden Passage will be expected to support that designation, particularly by contributing to goals related to reducing stormwater runoff and improving stormwater quality. The new multi-purpose Arena will be owned by the Sports and Exhibition Authority and managed by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Planning for the project has been coordinated by an internal stakeholders groups (SEA, Urban Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Penguins). A team of professional service firms has been put in place to manage the construction process. HOK Sport has been designated by the Penguins as the principal architect for the Arena. ICON Venue has been hired by the Penguins to provide Developer's Representative services and PJ Dick-Hunt will serve as at risk Construction Manager. Description of Site and Surroundings The new Arena is located at the intersection of three districts of the city the Grant Street business and government corridor to the west, the Hill District to the east, and the Uptown District to the south and east. The Arena will fit snugly into its urban context and, hopefully, help stitch together these three surrounding districts and to stimulate investment within them. There is new development occurring or planned in the immediate area; Duquesne University, which anchors the Uptown District, is improving its campus and the blocks around its perimeter, with the completion of the Power Center on Forbes Avenue. McCormack Baron Salazar has developed several phases of new housing in the blocks north of Crawford Square. A new hotel is proposed for the site just east of the Arena, and the Mellon Arena site will soon be planned for redevelopment. Most arena patrons are expected to park in lots and garages in the blocks surrounding the arena, ensuring that there will be ample pedestrian activity in the area at event times. One garage will be built in the center of the site, tucked into the hillside; the structure will be shielded from view from Fifth Avenue, Washington Place, Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 2

4 and Centre Avenue, though there will be a vehicular and pedestrian entry in the vicinity of the northeast plaza on Centre Avenue. The hotel proposed for Centre Avenue just to the east of the Arena will continue the urban edge of the project; a restaurant is proposed for the first floor adjacent to northeast plaza. The hotel may share an entrance with the parking garage. The Arena is surrounded by wide and busy streets, and land is steeply sloping in some places. There are no improvements to the surrounding streets planned for the immediate future. Historical Context The Hill District is composed of several small hills, which were initially inhabited by three communities. Haiti was on the lower hill, inhabited by men and women escaping slavery. The middle portion was Lacyville, while the upper hill was called Minersville. The latter two areas were predominately populated by Germans and Scotch-Irish. During the years before World War I, African-Americans were recruited to the area by employers who promised relief from the segregation laws of the South. New arrivals swelled the area and the Hill became an ethnic melting pot of African-Americans, Russians, Slovaks, Irish, Armenians, Syrians, Italians, Greeks, Poles, Chinese, and Jews, producing a bustling business community. People from these cultures wove a rich and vibrant tapestry for Pittsburgh city life. The vibrant community lasted through the Depression and it was during this time that the Hill became a national venue for jazz music because of its location halfway between New York and Chicago and its wealth of talented musicians. In 1955, the federal government approved the Lower Hill Redevelopment Plan. Ninety-five acres were slated for clearing, and more than 8,000 residents were displaced. This redevelopment severely damaged the communities of the Hill District. In the 1960 s, the Hill became a central location for the fight for civil rights, which contributed to the survival and regeneration of the community. This is memorialized at Freedom Corner, a civil rights monument on Centre Avenue not far from the arena location. New development in the Hill includes the Crawford Square residential development, a new public library, a senior housing development, and new retail stores. A long-awaited grocery store is planned to open in the near future. The New Pittsburgh Arena Public Art Initiative In 2008, the New Pittsburgh Arena stakeholder group commissioned the Arena Public Art Master Plan to create a framework for commissioning art at this important civic facility. The Master Plan, developed by Urban Designer Todd W. Bressi in collaboration with artist Jill Anholt and Bethea-Brown Associates, outlines a vision and goals for public artworks. This plan is now being implemented by the stakeholder group. Vision for the New Pittsburgh Arena Public Art Initiative Artworks for the New Pittsburgh Arena will engage both Arena patrons and the broader public neighbors and people passing through the area in the historic context of the area, the urban surroundings, the culture of sports, and Pittsburgh s environmental traditions. Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 3

5 Goals for New Pittsburgh Arena Public Art Program Create artworks that are compatible with and compliment adjacent uses. Create a range of artworks in scale, media, and relationship to the building and surrounding spaces. Create multiple opportunities for artists to engage the community, and for the community to experience public art. Celebrate the history and revitalization of the Hill District and Uptown. Create opportunities for artists to engage with the culture of sport, the history of local sports, and the celebration of human spirit as expressed through athletics. Explore the city s leadership in sustainable design and support the Arena s LEED Silver certification. Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 4

6 GARDEN PASSAGE Description of Opportunity Garden Passage, which is expected to be built in conjunction with the New Pittsburgh Arena, will be one of the most significant contemporary open spaces constructed in Pittsburgh. The site offers challenges and opportunities that are unique to this place and time. The primary purpose of the project is to provide an important pedestrian connection between the Arena s southwest and northwest plazas, Fifth Avenue and Centre Avenue, and the Uptown and Hill District neighborhoods. Garden Passage will be open and accessible to all members of the public, whether they are attending Arena events or not, and is meant to provide connections among neighborhoods that have been separated by topography and past patterns of urban development. Pittsburgh s remarkable terrain is revealed at the Arena site, which slopes sharply downward from the northwest plaza at Centre Avenue to the southwest plaza at Fifth Avenue. The connection runs for approximately 280 feet between the Arena s east façade and the Church of the Epiphany, and traverses a slope of some 45 feet. The space covers approximately 21,000 s.f. and varies in width from 40 to 120 feet. Since the corridor links two entry plazas, the design could integrate with these spaces, as well; design elements could also incorporate the masonry base of the building. The arena itself will be the first NHL Arena to meet LEED -certification requirements, at the Silver Level. This accomplishment builds on Pittsburgh s tradition of environmental remediation and design. Because of these conditions, the space gives artists and designers the opportunity to explore the character of Pittsburgh s unique topography and infrastructure, issues of urban storm water management, the relationship between sustainable design and art, and the possibility of creating new connections between different neighborhoods. Project Goals Create a pedestrian connection between the Arena s Southwest and northwest Plazas, between Fifth Avenue and Centre Avenue, and between the Uptown and Hill districts. Create a destination space for residents and employees in Downtown, Uptown and the Hill District. Explore the character of Pittsburgh s unique topography and infrastructure, issues of urban storm water management, and the relationship between sustainable design and art. Contribute to the Arena s overall program for sustainable design and construction practices, particularly in regard to LEED credits for stormwater quantity and stormwater quality in new construction. Project Outline Phase One: Qualifications Interested teams are invited to submit qualifications as outlined in section four of this RFQ. A selection committee will identify, based on an evaluation of the qualifications submitted in response to this RFQ, three finalist teams that will be asked to prepare design concepts for the Garden Passage. Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 5

7 Phase Two: Design Concept Each of the three finalist teams will be asked to prepare a Design Concept for the project. Each team will receive a fee of $7,500 and be reimbursed for travel expenses up to $2,500. Each team must submit, by April 3, the following materials: A narrative description of the artistic and design concept, and how the concept meets the goals of the Arena Public Art Master Plan and the Garden Passage project; Preliminary renderings of the design concept (including representations in plan, elevation, section and perspective; and suggestions of materials) necessary to convey a comprehensive and integrated project vision; Preliminary description of the artworks or artistic elements, and of the approach to fabricating them or integrating them into the further design and construction of the project; Description of how the design concept addresses key issues and site conditions such as: public access and movement through the site (on both game days and ordinary days), connections to adjacent plazas; light and stormwater; applicable codes and guidelines; and An opinion-of-cost budget estimate for design development, construction documentation and construction. Based on this submission and a presentation by each team, the Selection Committee will recommend one team to be awarded the commission. Phase Three: Concept Plan The artist/design team that is selected will be commissioned to create a Concept Plan for the Garden Passage Project. The purpose of the Concept Plan is to evolve the Design Concept and provide sufficient information about the design, cost and implementation of the project to finalize funding and approvals. The Concept Plan deliverables will include: A detailed narrative description, with detail regarding: o o o o the overall form and design, materials, and specific dimensions of elements, how applicable codes, requirements and guidelines (such as ADA and LID) will be addressed, how the project will contribute to the Arena s overall program for achieving LEED Sustainable Sites credits 6.1 (Stormwater Quantity) and 6.2 (Stormwater Quality Management), explanation of special fabrication or installation requirements for artworks or artistic elements; Visual representation of the Concept Plan; A timeline for design development, construction documentation and permitting and design approvals; A plan for integrating the design and construction of Garden Passage into the overall design and construction process of the Arena, A plan for fabricating and installing elements that are specified to be fabricated and installed specifically by or under the supervision of the artist; and A preliminary cost estimate for the project. The team may be asked to participate in client or community meetings at various points during the development of the Concept Plan, and to present the project to various review boards and agencies to help secure its approval at the concept level. Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 6

8 Phase Four: Design Development Upon approval of the Concept Plan, the team will be contracted with to develop a Schematic Design for review and, upon approval of Schematic Design, a full set of Final Design and Construction Drawings, including a detailed schedule and final cost estimate. Phase Five: Construction The team will be engaged for fabrication and installation of any artworks, and the roles and responsibilities of the design team and the Arena construction manager in regard to the overall construction of the project will be determined as the design of the project emerges. Budget Overall project budget: Estimated to be $1.5 million. $40,000 for Concept Plan development by the selected team. Budgets for Schematic Design, Final Design, Construction Drawings and any subsequent involvement in the project will be determined after the Concept Plan is accepted. Timeline Interested parties can also schedule site visits on February 3, 4 or 5. February 2 February 3 February 11 February 20 March 5 April 3 April 8 April 17 To be determined To be determined To be determined Fall, 2010 Deadline for written questions Information session Submission deadline for Qualifications Notification of Finalists Finalist site visit Submission deadline for Design Concepts Presentation of Design Concepts to Selection Panel Award of Commission for Concept Plan Concept Plan complete Detailed design and construction drawings complete Garden Passage complete Opening game Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 7

9 SELECTION PROCESS Eligibility Artists and designers throughout the U.S. and abroad are requested to form collaborative teams that include the necessary expertise to carry the project through construction documentation. Artists and designers are requested to form collaborative teams that include an artist and the necessary expertise to carry the project through construction documentation. It is envisioned that teams will include, in addition to artists, landscape designers, architects, environmental scientists and/or engineers. The selected team will also be asked to follow the SEA s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Participation Policy, which has goals for 10% MBE and 25% WBE participation in the project. Review Process Qualifications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel whose members are drawn from Pittsburgh s arts, culture and design leadership. The Selection Panel will select up to three finalist teams to develop Design Concepts. Finalist teams will be provided with additional site background and specifications for materials that should be submitted to document the Design Concepts, based on the list of materials described above in the Project Outline. Finalist teams will be expected to attend a briefing and tour of the project site, tentatively scheduled for March 5, and to present their Design Concepts to the Selection Panel at a review tentatively scheduled for April 8. Each finalist team will be paid a $7,500 honorarium, and reimbursed for up to $2,500 in travel expenses, for the site visit and presentation. The Selection Panel will review the Design Concepts and make a recommendation for final selection to the New Pittsburgh Arena internal stakeholder group, which includes the Sports and Exhibition Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Pittsburgh Penguins LP. The selected team would then contract with the Sports and Exhibition Authority for preparing a Concept Plan, and then contract for preparing Schematic Design and Construction Documents. Selection Criteria The Selection Panel will use the following criteria to review team qualifications: Enthusiasm about and approach to the project. Demonstrated excellence and quality of past work in conceptual, aesthetic and technical terms. Relevance of past work in terms of the project goals. Capability of team, in terms of professional qualifications and certifications, to fulfill the technical requirements of project. Ability to manage schedules, communications and budgets as evidenced by previous projects and/or supported by professional references. Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 8

10 Information Session The project sponsors, in collaboration with the Office of Public Art, will hold an information session on February 3. In addition, interested parties can contact the Sports and Exhibition Authority to arrange site visits on February 3, 4 or 5. Additional information about the project, including background plans, site photography and drawings will be available on the Sports and Exhibition Authority website. These materials and additional background studies will be made available to the three finalist teams. To schedule a site visit, contact: Angelica Ciranni, aciranni@pgh-sea.com For additional information about the Arena project, visit: penguins.nhl.com/arena/index.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/new_pittsburgh_arena Questions If you cannot attend the Information Session, please submit questions no later than February 2 to Todd W. Bressi, at the address below. All questions and answers, including those raised at the Information Session, will be sent to all of the invited artists and designers, and all who attend the meeting. Todd W. Bressi Urban Design Place Planning Public Art 222 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA x (fax) placedesign@verizon.net Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 9

11 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS What to Submit 1. A cover letter (no more than two pages) describing: a. A brief introduction to your team and its approach to collaboration. b. Your interest in the project and how it relates to your practice. 2. Information on your team s background and qualifications that addresses the following: a. Name, address and telephone number of the main contact/project lead. b. A description of your collaborative team, of each team member, and each member s role on the project. c. A CV/resume for each team member, listing all professional certifications. d. A description of how the team would meet the Sports and Exhibition Authority s MBE/WBE goals if selected. 3. A description of past projects, not to exceed three examples for team members other than the artist, and not to exceed eight examples total. Include the following information for each project: a. The name and location of project. b. A brief project description, including scope, cost and completion date. c. The team member s role on the project. d. The name, address and telephone number of the client for reference. e. Photographs, drawings or other reproductions illustrating the project. 4. Up to fifteen (15) jpeg images of past work for the artist(s) on the team, and a corresponding image list with title, medium, dimensions, brief description, date of work, commissioning entity and budget. Images must be no more than 1920 pixels on the longest side and high quality JPG file format at 300 dpi. Do not submit TIFFs, PDFs, Word or any other non-jpg formats. Files must be titled with a number indicating the viewing order, followed by the artist s last name. Use 0 in front of single digit numbers. Use only numbers and letters. Example: 01Smith; 01Smith. Mac users must include.jpg at the end of each image title. Submission Instructions Please send one set of your qualifications for arrival no later than 4 p.m., EST, February 11 to each of the addresses below. Materials can be sent in hard copy, as digital files copied onto a CD or DVD, or as digital files transmitted via a file-sharing service. For hard copy, this is not a postmark deadline. Digital submissions will be acknowledged by an receipt. Materials will not be returned. Todd W. Bressi Angelica Ciranni Urban Design Place Planning Public Art Sports and Exhibition Authority 222 Vine St. Regional Enterprise Tower Philadelphia, PA Sixth Avenue, Suite x103 Pittsburgh, PA placedesign@verizon.net aciranni@pgh-sea.com Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 10

12 Attachments Attachment A: Site Location Attachment B: Project Area Attachment C: Grading Attachment D: Site Plan Attachment E: Renderings Attachment F: Site Photographs Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 11

13 ATTACHMENT A Site Location Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 12

14 ATTACHMENT B Project Area Project area is indicated by yellow boundaries. Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 13

15 ATTACHMENT C Grading Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 14

16 ATTACHMENT D Site Plan Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 15

17 ATTACHMENT E Renderings of Previous Concepts for Connective Space Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 16

18 Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 17

19 ATTACHMENT F Site Photographs Garden Passage A Public Art Project for the New Pittsburgh Arena p. 18

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