Title
Approval to Issue Gateways Public Art Master Plan Request for Qualification (RFQ)
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to direct the Arts Commission to issue an RFQ for a Gateways Public Art Master Plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to direct the Arts Commission to issue an RFQ for a Gateways Public Art Master Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to issue an RFQ for a Master Plan for the Gateways Public Art Project.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678.
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
At the General Government Committee meeting on July 26, members agreed to forward to City Council the request to issue an RFQ for a Gateways Public Art Master Plan. The concept of the Gateways Public Art Project follows:
Background/Purpose
* The Gateways concept is envisioned in the City's 2015 Comprehensive Plan. The intent is to signal transition moving into and out of Olympia's city center by means of eight gateways and landscaped boulevards at major transition points.
* Although the Gateways were identified by location in the Comprehensive Plan, there was no guiding description about what the Gateways themselves were meant to be (size, shape, composition, etc.)
* Implementation of the Gateways concept is not in the current work plan of any City commission or department, seen as a long-term strategy to happen in future years.
* $180,000 for public art generated by the construction of City Hall (1% for Art) has not been utilized.
* The Arts Commission sees these Gateways as an opportunity to use the City Hall funds in a "placemaking" project in which public art is sited throughout our community. Art selection and placement would occur through an inclusive, coordinated process of public involvement.
* There had originally been a thought to incorporate this project with a signage program, specifically to update the Plum Street entrance sign. That additi...
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