Title
Recommendation to Approve the Attached Resolution and Conditions Approving the “Beken” Public Art Proposal
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Public Art Commission
BACKGROUND
In June 2015, the City Council unanimously approved the Site A Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) for a three-phased development on a 68-acre area known as “Site A” at Alameda Point.
As part of the DDA, the project developer, Alameda Point Partners (APP), is required to install $300,000 in public art at Site A. In order to meet this requirement, APP has proposed two separate works of art to be installed at the following locations:
• the median of West Atlantic Avenue at Main Street (the “gateway” to Alameda Point)
• Seaplane Lagoon Waterfront Park
On March 10, 2020, the Public Art Commission (PAC) approved Alameda Afore as the gateway project to Alameda Point. At tonight’s meeting, the PAC will consider the artwork proposed for Seaplane Lagoon Waterfront Park. The proposed artwork by artist Dewitt Godrey, entitled “Beken,” is a 32-foot corten steel sculpture composed of cellular forms with a wide circular base (Exhibit 1).
APP conducted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to select its artists for the two sites at Alameda Point. The RFQ was posted on Call for Entry and distributed to several arts organizations and artist networks. This process generated 172 submissions, which were reviewed by an evaluation panel of six Alameda community members, design professionals, and stakeholders. The panel then selected seven finalists to create proposals, offering an honorarium of $1,500 to each finalist. After reviewing the proposals, the panel conducted one round of follow-up questions and selected Dewitt <https://www.rodrigonava.com/> Godfrey to create the public art for Seaplane Lagoon Waterfront Park.
On May 14, the Recreation and Park Commission reviewed the “Beken” application and raised concerns about the safety of the artwork due to the potential for climbing. The Recreation and Park Commission approved the artwork, with the recommendation that safety issues be further investigated. In response to this recommendation, staff worked with APP, Mr. Godfrey, and other city departments to increase the height of the base cells from between 5 and 7 feet to over 9 feet, in order to reduce the ability of visitors to climb the sculpture. The renderings on pages 3 to 5 of Exhibit 1 reflect this change in design; additional renderings showing the previous design (pages 7 to 11) were included in the applications because they show the location, position, and environment for the sculpture.
In addition, staff reached out to the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to determine if it had ever had an issue with climbing on Mr. Godfrey’s sculpture “Quake,” which was installed in 2015. The Director of Public Art and Exhibitions stated that climbing had not been a concern for this artwork (Exhibit 2). Similarly, the Deputy City Clerk from Traverse City, Michigan reported that they have not had issues with climbing on “Enspire,” a sculpture by Mr. Godfrey installed in 2017.
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.
Staff comments: Staff finds that Mr. Godfrey’s resume and examples of previous work demonstrate 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.
Staff comments: The proposed artwork would be located at the center of Seaplane Lagoon Waterfront Park, and would serve as a highly visible landmark around which park-goers, and visitors and residents embarking and returning by ferry, could orient themselves. Installation of the artwork will comply with all Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
As the central feature of a waterfront park, “Beken” takes its cues from lighthouses, channel buoys and frontier guard towers, but unlike these solid forms, its transparent structure would invite entry. The artist’s goal is to create a form that is massive in scale, but visually light and airy, providing a destination from afar and a sense of place from within.
The proposed on-site artwork is durable and cost-effective to maintain using ordinary methods of maintenance.
Staff comments: The proposed corten steel sculpture would be extremely durable, with an expected lifetime of 50 to 75 years. If approved, ownership of this artwork would transfer to the City of Alameda after installation, and regular maintenance would be performed by the City. Staff finds that the required maintenance would be cost-effective using ordinary methods. Corten steel has been used in other public artwork in Alameda, and there are no particular maintenance or durability problems identified to-date.
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.
Staff comments: The budget for the proposed artwork ($200,000) would satisfy two-thirds of APP’s public art requirement. The additional $100,000 requirement will be met through the Alameda Afore artwork to be installed on the median of Atlantic Avenue at Main Street. If any portion of the requirement remains unaccounted for after the approval of artwork for both locations, an equivalent portion of funding will be used for additional on-site public artwork or be deposited by APP in the Public Art Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the attached resolution and conditions approving the “Beken” public art proposal.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Butler, Economic Development Manager
By,
Amanda Gehrke, Development Manager
Exhibits:
1. Beken Public Art Application
2. Dewitt Godfrey Sculpture Feedback
3. Resolution