Title
Approval of Transit Box Wrap Public Art Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Approve concept, budget and Call for Art for the proposed Transit Box Wrap Public Art Project.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve concept, budget and Call for Art for the proposed Transit Box Wrap Public Art Project, and authorize the Arts Commission and staff to implement the project as proposed.
Report
Issue:
The Arts Commission's 2014 Work Plan item 1.6 was a recommendation to General Government Committee regarding a Utility Box Mural Project. The Commission is ready to present a proposal for review and recommendation.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Program Manager, OPARD, 360.709.2678
Rick Knostman, Operations Supervisor, Public Works, 360.753.8438
Cathie Butler, Communications Manager, General Government, 360.753.8361
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
Diana Fairbanks, Olympia Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
Traffic control boxes are a fixture of almost every set of stoplights in Olympia. They are a magnet for graffiti, and an area of opportunity for a public art remediation. Cities such as Boise, ID, have turned similar utility boxes into canvases for art, via a printed vinyl wrap that allows for a wide array of art materials to be submitted.
In meeting with staff from Public Works, CP&D and General Government, the Commission heard positive response and identified several ways to partner:
· Public Works welcomes the opportunity to abate graffiti, and offered to install the selected wraps.
· CP& D and General Government would like to partner on the downtown boxes, utilizing the sidewalk side for pedestrian wayfinding, and the other three sides for artistic design. As part of the 2015 budget process, the Olympia Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommended and Council approved up to $18,000 in funding to include wayfinding maps as part of this or another similar efforts on Capitol Way and other downtown locations routinely travelled by visitors.
This project would address 10 downtown boxes and 10 (larger) Westside boxes. The expected lifespan of the wrap is 2-3 years. Artistic design tends to minimize graffiti and the wraps will include a graffiti-resistant coating, but affected wraps will be removed if the damage is too great.
Submissions for the boxes would be open to Thurston County residents of all ages, and selection would be made by the public through OlySpeaks. Submissions would be accepted for both downtown and West Olympia. Selected artists will receive $500 for the use of their image.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Unknown.
Options:
1). Approve concept, budget and Call for Art for the proposed Transit Box Wrap Public Art Project.
2). Approve only the Downtown Boxes.
3). Approve only the Westside Boxes.
4). Do not approve concept, budget and Call for Art for the proposed Transit Box Wrap Public Art Project.
Financial Impact:
1. Downtown Boxes (10) -
Funding Source: Olympia Lodging Tax Fund
Artist Honoraria $500
Printing $212
Pre-press production $75
Contingency $113
Total costs per site $900
Estimated costs for 10 downtown sites = $9,000
2. Westside Boxes (10) -
Funding Source: Municipal Art Fund
Artist Honoraria $500
Printing $377
Pre-press production $75
Contingency $148
Total costs per site $1100
Estimated costs for 10 Westside sites = $11,000