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Report regarding a resolution approving a Public Art Agreement to design and purchase three art pieces which includes a vertical sculpture and two matching lawn elements by Ride Art Studio for a price of $464,000. (Philip Vitale, Deputy Director Capital Projects)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving a Public Art Agreement to design and purchase three public art pieces which includes a vertical sculpture and two matching lawn pieces by Ride Art, LLC for a price of $464,000, to be installed at the South San Francisco Caltrain Station Plaza as recommended by the Caltrain Plaza Art Selection Committee. The $464,000 fee would be applied from Capital Improvement Program with sufficient funds was previously allocated to cover the project cost.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
As part of the South San Francisco Caltrain Station Improvement project, a new pedestrian tunnel and half acre plaza will be built at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Airport Boulevard. As the cornerstone of a new transit hub in South San Francisco, this plaza is imagined to anchor the eastern end of historic downtown. The plaza, visible from Grand Avenue, will include a lawn, planting areas, an icon tree, lighting, and integrated seating. A prominent pathway will connect city sidewalks and adjacent properties to the station platform through a pedestrian tunnel.
In November 2020, staff issued a nationwide request for artist proposals for public art for this project. Art opportunities included, but were not limited to:
• Tunnel gateway, wall and ceiling mural, mosaic, lighting, digital or video projection
• Plaza sculpture, free-standing or integrated into the landscaping
• Kinetic sculpture
Proposals could include art elements at multiple locations within the site or one of the areas noted above. A maximum commission of up to $500,000 was offered. This opportunity was open to professional artists residing in the United States and working in any media appropriate for the site.
The artist would be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with City of South San Francisco staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses.
Art themes and styles identified in the RFP included:
• Embody aspects of South San Francisco’s identity as it relates to heritage and culture
• Contemporary, innovative, interactive elements, engaging, placemaking
• Elevate the viewer’s awareness by stimulating curiosity, inspiration, reflection, opinion or feeling
• All artistic styles, abstract or representational, encouraged
• Work should be complimentary to the new transit center
• Work should be appropriate for this public place and complementary to the selected location
• Work should be enjoyed by all generations and by a diverse community, including residents, business people, families, visitors and commuters
• Create a defined and aesthetic link between the new station plaza and Downtown
• By the January 5, 2021 submission deadline, staff received sixteen entries from fifteen artists, including concepts for freestanding sculptures and murals.
The ad hoc Caltrain Plaza Art Selection Committee (CPASC) was formed in late December, 2020, and was composed of seven members appointed by the Mayor. Members included Mayor Mark Addiego, City Councilmember Flor Nicolas, Cultural Arts Commissioners Peter Foley and Ryan Campagna, and community members Karyl Matsumoto, Katie Deleuw, and Madeline Banfield. Over the course of three months and six meetings, the CPASC evaluated and rated all sixteen proposals based on the following criteria:
Artistic Excellence, Innovation and Originality (25 Points): The artist’s work reflects artistic excellence, innovation and originality, as evidenced by professional quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills, techniques; professional approaches to processes and presentation, and/or communicate a unique vision or perspective.
Project Goals (20 Points): The artist’s work is judged to be appropriate to the goals of the project.
Availability (10 Points): The artist is available to participate in the design, approval and implementation of the project as required.
Professional Experience (20 Points): The artist's professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project. Qualifying activities would include some combination of the following: education and training as an artist, an exhibition record in museums, commercial art galleries, and/or non-profit art spaces, previous public or private commissions; participation in artist-in-residency programs, or other related activities indicative of a professional art practice.
Ability (10 Points): Assessed ability to meet project deadlines and to perform work in a timely and professional manner.
Presentation (15 Points): Presentation of a concise and responsive proposal.
Based on ratings and discussion, the CPASC identified five finalists to participate in interviews. The finalists were, Sirron Norris, Gorden Huether, Ride Art, Sijan Chen and WOWHAUS. An $800 stipend was provided to all five finalists for developing materials and participating in the interview process.
The proposals of the five finalists were reviewed by a technical panel composed of Dave Bockhaus - Deputy Director of Public Works, Jason Hallare - Senior Engineer, Joshua Richardson - Parks Division Manager and Daniel Cunningham - Landscape Architect from SWA. Technical questions and comments were provided to each finalist in advance of the interviews. Responses to technical questions and comments were provided in writing and addressed during the interviews.
Interviews were conducted via zoom over two evenings, April 5th and April 8th. The CPASC ranked each of the five interviews providing pros, cons and miscellaneous notes.
The CPASC met in person at the Grand Library Patio on May 8th for final deliberation based on interview rankings and technical panel comments. The CPASC identified the artist team of Ride Art as the preferred proposal to move forward with in contract negotiations and recommendation of award of contract. The Ride Art proposal includes INSPIRE, a 25-foot-tall monumental kinetic sculpture that sits on a 19-foot diameter circular pedestal, and two gear benches, with a total price of $464,0000 including design, fabrication and delivery to the site. Information about the art pieces, budget and timeline is available in Attachment 2.
Staff have reviewed and spoken with the artist team about each sculpture’s specifications, and believe the pieces are sufficiently durable for installation in the proposed locations. Installation can be completed competently by City staff members. The artist’s proposal includes structural engineering to confirm the size and specifications of the concrete footing and attachment method for each sculpture based on the sculpture weight and potential environmental conditions. As noted in the proposed Public Art Agreement between the City and Ride Art, the artist team is responsible for the cost of transportation of the art works to South San Francisco, and must be present at the time of installation. City staff will prepare the necessary pads, and will assist the artists with the installation.
If the Council awards and approves the public art agreement, the art pieces will be designed over the coming months with installation timed to coincide with construction of the plaza portion of the overall Caltrain Station. The plaza will be constructed by Fairfield Properties in coordination with the portion of the plaza Fairfield is constructing. Anticipated installation is Fall 2022.
Maintenance is required for all public art, which varies by piece depending upon the materials and age of the pieces, but at the very least includes periodic cleaning and touch-up. Staff is not aware of any extraordinary maintenance issues presented by these sculptures. The cost of installation and future maintenance can be absorbed in the Parks and Recreation Department’s operating budget.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is funded by the General Fund and included in the City of South San Francisco’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Capital Improvement Program for the Caltrain Plaza Public Art Project (Project No. pf2102) with sufficient funds allocated ($500,000) to cover the project cost.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this action will contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan. It aligns with Priority #2, which is focused on enhancing quality of life by building and maintaining a sustainable city, making our city a great place to live, learn and play.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City to execute a Public Art Agreement with Ride Art for design, fabrication and delivery of public art to the Caltrain Plaza.
Attachment 1: Presentation
Attachment 2: Artist Proposal