Title
Recommendation to Approve the Attached Resolution and Conditions Approving the “Waveform” Public Art Proposal (10061810)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
BACKGROUND
In 2018, the Planning Board held a public hearing to consider Design Review and Development Plan Amendment to allow a 131,000-square-foot, 211-room, five-story hotel located at the corner of Harbor Bay Parkway and Ron Cowan Parkway. The development was first approved in 2020 and modified in 2022, receiving Planning approval February 14, 2022. The building permit was issued January 9, 2024 and the developer, Shriji Hospitality, began construction at 1123 Harbor Bay Parkway shortly after.
Pursuant to the City of Alameda’s Public Art Ordinance (Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-98), per the development valuation, the hotel developer, Shriji Hospitality, has a public art requirement of $220,000. Shriji Hospitality has elected to deliver On-Site Art to satisfy this requirement and has retained Alameda-based artist Wes Warren to deliver the artwork.
At tonight’s meeting, the Public Art Commission (PAC) will review the on-site public art application for the proposed art “Waveform” by Alameda-based artist Wes Warren.
DISCUSSION
The PAC is responsible for reviewing and approving public art proposals to ensure compliance with the following program criteria established by the Public Art Ordinance:
The artist has demonstrated qualifications to complete the proposed on-site artwork with the highest professional standards.
Mr. Warren’s artist resume does not include artwork of a similar design or scale; however, Mr. Warren is solely the designer of the artwork, and a separate team is handling the fabrication and installation. Founded in 1963, Paramount Rolling will be fabricating the metal, welding the joints and installing the artwork. Staff finds that Paramount Rolling has the experience and qualifications required to complete the proposed artwork to the highest professional standards.
There is sufficient public visibility and accessibility to the on-site artwork, and the proposed on-site artwork is compatible with and harmonious with the development project and surrounding environment.
The proposed artwork will be mounted on the northeast side of hotel on an exterior wall. The artwork is three stories high and 36’ x 28’. The proposed artwork has ample visibility for motorists, passing pedestrians, and bicyclists. Staff finds the proposed artwork is compatible with the surrounding environment.
The proposed on-site artwork is durable and cost-effective to maintain using ordinary methods of maintenance.
The primary material will be fabricated sealed aluminum which is durable, corrosion resistant and low density. The proposed artwork has an expected lifetime of 50+ years. The ownership of this artwork would remain with the developer, Shriji Hospitality, and they would perform regular maintenance, which would be cost-effective using ordinary methods.
The budget for the proposed on-site artwork and any in-lieu fees proposed by the applicant is equivalent to or exceeds the required program allocation.
The budget for the proposed artwork ($362,500) exceeds the requirement and would satisfy 100% of Shriji Hospitality’s public art requirement for the hotel development at 1123 Harbor Bay Parkway.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the attached resolution and conditions approving the “Waveform” public art proposal.
Respectfully submitted,
Dwayne Dalman, Economic Development Manager
By,
Jackie Keliiaa, Development Manager, Secretary
Exhibits:
Exhibit 1 - Waveform Public Art Application
Exhibit 2 - PAC Resolution Approving Waveform Public Art Application