MEMO TO: PUBLIC ART STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM: SHARI COOPER, DEVELOPMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2017 SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM 5.A: PUBLIC ART PROJECT FOR 2017-18 BACKGROUND One of the roles of the Public Art Steering Committee (PASC) in the administration of the City s Public Art Program is to make annual recommendations on where to target Public Art Funds for new public art projects to the City Manager and City Council, consistent with the Public Art Master Plan (Master Plan). Since inception of the Public Art Program four projects have been commissioned with Public Art Funds, two of which have been completed and two which are currently in the process of being designed and installed. These projects correspond to the art location categories outlined in Master Plan and include: 9/11 Memorial (under Parks & Plazas category for approximately $120,000), Art Bench Project along First Street (under Roadways category for $100,000), Project name to be Determined in Dwight Murray Plaza (under Parks & Plazas category for $250,000), and Project name to be Determined along the Vine Trail/Wine Train s Rail Arts District Corridor (under Pedestrian Paths and Bikeways category for $40,000). The last two projects above are still in the process of completion. Once these projects are finalized, the remaining balance in the Public Art Fund will total approximately $426,242. While the PASC issues recommendations for the expenditure of these funds, the City Council ultimately confirms this recommendation by setting aside the funds in the budget. To prepare for the upcoming FY 17-18 budget cycle, the PASC has an opportunity to identify projects (complete with proposed project location and budget) for Council consideration. PROJECTS AND THE PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN The Master Plan provides specific site selection guidance to the PASC, outlining five specific art locations categories to be used in determining art locations. In addition to the art location categories listed above, there are three additional categories the PASC may consider: a) Public Buildings and Facilities, b) Bridges, and c) Gateways/Major intersections. The Master Plan specifically identifies several Sample Envisioned Projects under these categories. Some of the sample projects have been discussed and considered by the PASC in previous years and are as follows: City Hall: 955 School Street, Napa CA 94559 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 660, Napa CA 94559 (707) 257-9500 www.cityofnapa.org
a) Public buildings and facilities category sample project: Artwork for Parking Garage. Commission an artist to create a large-scale mosaic, sculptural skin or other permeable façade, banners made out of a durable material such as laser cut metal, light sconces, or other graphic elements integrated into a new parking garage. The City has no plans to build a new garage in the next two or three years, and the garage that is slated to begin design and construction after 2019 will generate approximately $150,000 in its own funding for public art, which may be enough to provide for art on the new garage. Additionally, the City is currently considering a City Hall consolidation which if ultimately approved will be constructed in 2019. That project will also generate public art funds in an even larger amount. These may be candidate projects for future funding to supplement art on the garage and City Hall. However, the PASC could consider choosing another public building or structure as a potential project (See Attachment 1: Public Art Master Plan s Appendix C, D, and E). b) Bridges category sample project: Light art under downtown bridges. Light artworks that illuminate the undersides of First Street and Third Street bridges, creating a signifying feature of downtown that generates excitement among residents and visitors and encourages cultural tourism. The PASC previously considered several bridge sites within the downtown and Oxbow Bypass. However, because the Flood District has several restrictions for this area, the City Manager recommended first completing a master plan for public art within the Oxbow Bypass before proceeding with a specific project. Completing a master plan in this area is something that cannot be worked into the City s priority projects at this time, with so many other Council-directed priorities. However, the PASC could revisit this idea possibly considering a focused project in the area such as a mural or art application on the First Street Bridge or Wine Train Bridge (as part of the Oxbow Commons experience) or even the Third Street Bridge as part of the greater downtown, as a project under the bridges category (See Attachment 1). c) Gateways/Major Intersections sample project: Landmark art as part of the future roundabout project at First Street and California Boulevard. A prominent sculptural artwork at this location would become a memorable landmark feature at the entrance to downtown from Highway 29. Its design should take into account traffic safety as well as the fact that it will be viewed primarily from people in vehicles. City Hall: 955 School Street, Napa CA 94559 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 660, Napa CA 94559 (707) 257-9500 www.cityofnapa.org
The City is in the final design phase of the State Route 29: Northbound First Street Ramps and California Boulevard Roundabouts Project which will install modern roundabouts at First Street & California Boulevard, Second Street & California Boulevard, and the State Route 29 northbound ramps at First Street. The project will reverse the travel direction on First and Second Streets between California Boulevard and Jefferson Street. The project also includes the construction of new storm water features, improved landscaping and signage. This plan identifies possible locations for a public art installation (See Attachment 2). The project is a partnership between the City and Caltrans and is anticipated to break ground in late 2018 or early 2019 with completion in mid- 2020. The Master Plan identifies this particular location as a priority site, and the PASC has expressed interest in this project in the past. However, there has been no formal funding request made for the project. Staff is particularly interested in supporting Public Art Funds for this project and recommends the PASC consider this site for dedicated funds. There is time in the coming year to work together on isolating the most suitable areas to place art and solicit an artist through the RFP process to begin that work in the coming summer completing the work well before construction is to begin. Another site that the PASC has discussed is the open space area at Redwood and Highway 29 (next to the railroad and behind Motel 6). The City, Wine Train, and Caltrans all own property in this area (See Attachment 3). As part of their master planning efforts, Vine Trail representatives have expressed interest in creating a park with public art at this location. However, the cost of planning, designing, making, and maintaining landscaping improvements could not be funded through the City s Public Art Fund and there is no dedicated funding at this time in the area by these entities for improvement here Currently, the City Parks & Recreation Department maintains this area at a minimal level (i.e. weed abatement and mowing twice a year due to budget limitations. Therefore, any landscaped improvements would require funding for planning, design, installation and on-going maintenance. Because no water or electrical utility connections exist in the area, the capital costs to improve the area could be significant. Therefore, Staff does not recommend this site as a potential art installation with public art funds in the FY 17-18 budget.. The City is also planning on making significant improvements on Soscol Avenue and Imola Avenue to include widening these streets and installing tree-lined center medians. However, Soscol Avenue is also State Route 221, a Caltrans jurisdiction where public art installations are generally not allowed. Further north on the Soscol Corridor past the Silverado Trail is a location that could City Hall: 955 School Street, Napa CA 94559 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 660, Napa CA 94559 (707) 257-9500 www.cityofnapa.org
accommodate art in the median. Work along the Soscol corridor has already begun and will continue for several years. In preparation for the regular February 28, 2017 PASC meeting, Committee members are asked to consider the above options, along with any others, and to come to the meeting prepared to discuss these options for recommendation and inclusion in the upcoming FY 17-18 budget City Hall: 955 School Street, Napa CA 94559 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 660, Napa CA 94559 (707) 257-9500 www.cityofnapa.org
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