Title
Discussion to Consider Pausing the Physical Public Art RFQ at Washington Park
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Public Art Commission
BACKGROUND
Washington Park has been the site for the next Physical Art RFQ since the start of 2025 and staff have dedicated time and resources to preparing for the Washington Park Physical Art RFQ that was scheduled to launch this November. Though the Public Art Commission already considered the Alameda Aquatic Center site for future public art at its December 2024 Public Art Commission (PAC) meeting, Commissioner Platzgummer seeks to discuss the possibility of pausing the Physical Public Art RFQ at Washington Park until January, 2026 at which time the public art requirement for the Alameda Aquatic Center will be known. The following is an overview of the Public Art Program activities preparing for the upcoming call for physical art:
Call for Prioritizing Physical Art Sites
The City of Alameda’s Public Art Master Plan (the Plan), published in December 2023, called for developing a process to prioritize sites for future physical art in the city.
Physical Art Site Research
Staff embarked on a multi-year research project to prioritize sites for future physical art, by researching 41 potential public art locations and evaluating location suitability based on the following criteria: visibility, accessibility, environmental suitability, safety, and community input. Additionally, in 2024, over 300 Alamedans were engaged in conversations and polling that informed the selection of the primary sites for future physical public art.
Forthcoming Physical Art RFQ
At the October 2024 PAC meeting, the PAC approved a Biennial Work Plan which included a physical art Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to go out in 2025.
Alameda Aquatic Center
At the December 2024 PAC meeting, Pat Russi, Recreation and Parks Department Recreation Manager, presented the Public Art opportunities at the upcoming Alameda Aquatic Center and asked the PAC to consider the site for future public art.
Physical Art Site Selection
As a result, at the December 2024 PAC meeting, staff included the Aquatic Center among the eight (8) primary sites for PAC consideration:
1. Main Street Ferry Terminal
2. Washington Park
3. Central and Encinal Roundabout
4. Lincoln Park
5. 4th and Central Roundabout
6. Park and Santa Clara
7. Neptune Park
8. Alameda Aquatic Center
Of these eight sites, the PAC selected three top sites for further research: Washington Park, Neptune Park, and the Main Street Ferry Terminal. Due to sea level rise, flood inundation and discontinuation of ferry service, both Neptune Park and the Main Street Ferry Terminal were later ruled out as potential sites for physical art, and Washington Park was selected as the location for the City’s upcoming grant call for physical art.
Preparation for Washington Park Public Art Call
• At the March 2025 PAC meeting, staff held a walking tour with the Public Art Commission to explore locations for Public Art within Washington Park.
• At the June 2025 PAC meeting, the PAC approved two sites within Washington Park for the upcoming Public Art RFQ. Staff worked closely with the Recreation and Parks Department to estimate site preparation costs, develop a budget and draft a Physical Art RFQ.
• At the July 2025 PAC meeting, the PAC reviewed and provided feedback on the draft Public Art RFQ for Washington Park, which was scheduled to launch November, 2025.
Alameda Aquatic Center Update
At the October 2025 PAC meeting, Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Department Director presented an update on the Alameda Aquatic Center development. The project is out for bid and Director Long anticipates the job valuation will be known sometime in January, 2026, at which time, the Recreation and Park Department (ARPD) will know their Public Art Requirement (1% of the building development costs) and how they plan to satisfy the requirement.
Staff noted, per the Public Art Ordinance (Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-98), ARPD could potentially request a partial or full exemption of the Public Art Requirement on grounds that municipal development projects may be exempted (fully or partially) from the provisions of the Ordinance when the City Council finds that, based upon the characteristics of the project or the project budget, it is in the best interests of the Alameda community to do so (30-98.3 - b.4).
DISCUSSION
At the October 2025 PAC meeting, Commissioner Platzgummer requested that the RFQ process be paused until at least January 2026 when ARPD will know how it plans to satisfy its public art requirement. Additionally, Commissioner Platzgummer requested that an item be agendized to discuss pausing the Physical Public Art RFQ at Washington Park.
Staff would like to note that Cultural Arts grants kick off in early 2026 and due to the ongoing capacity constraints of the Public Art Program, any delays in the RFQ process would likely push the RFQ timeline until at least spring or summer 2026.
Alameda Aquatic Center
As presented in December 2024, the Alameda Aquatic Center ranked well in the location scoring spreadsheet due to several factors:
• High visibility from walking/biking trails
• Opportunities to integrate public art into the construction process and leverage resources
• Emphasis of Alameda Recreation and Park Department programming on equity, allowing a greater diversity of Alamedans to access and enjoy public art
• Opportunities for cross departmental collaboration between Economic Development and Alameda Recreation and Park Department
Washington Park
Located on Alameda’s west end, Washington Park scored second in the overall location ranking of the forty-one original sites and was also ranked second by the 311 respondents who took the community survey. Washington Park was voted by the PAC as a primary location for several reasons:
• High multimodal visibility
• High geographic equity increasing the reach of physical art around the island
• Opportunities for cross departmental collaboration between Economic Development and Alameda Recreation and Park Department
• Varied uses at Washington Park allow for diverse audiences to engage in Public Art
• Strong community support
Staff encourage the Public Art Commission to consider the multi-year research that has gone into prioritizing sites for future physical art and the capacity constraints of the Public Art Program which could lead to further delays in realizing the upcoming physical artwork.
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss and Make a Decision on Pausing the Physical Public Art RFQ at Washington Park.
Respectfully submitted,
Dwayne Dalman, Economic Development Manager
By,
Jackie Keliiaa, Development Manager, Secretary