Title
Update on Physical Public Art in Washington Park
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Parks Commission
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides an update about the upcoming Physical Art RFQ for Washington Park. In December of 2023, the City of Alameda (City) adopted the Public Art Master Plan (Plan) to guide the implementation of the City’s public art program. The Plan called for the identification of sites for future public art in the City. Public Art Fellow, Jack Denham Conroy, conducted a year-long research study on future locations for Physical Public Art. Several locations were evaluated across five criteria 1) Geographic Equity 2) Visibility 3) Safety 4) Environmental Suitability 5) Accessibility and 6) Community Input. At the conclusion of the location study, the top three locations selected by the Public Art Commission (PAC) were:
- Main Street Ferry Terminal
- Washington Park
- Neptune Park
Due to flood inundation at both Neptune Park and Main Street Ferry Terminal, as well as the forthcoming reduction in service at Main Street Ferry Terminal, of the three locations, Washington Park was best suited for the City’s next Physical Public Art project. Staff held a walking tour with Recreation and Park staff and the PAC to review potential locations within Washington Park. Two (2) locations were selected and will be included in the forthcoming Request for Qualifications (RFQ). One location will ultimately be selected.
Additionally, staff are convening a review panel comprised of six (6) subject matter experts to evaluate the RFQ responses and select the Physical Public Art grantee. Staff are requesting one volunteer from the Recreation and Parks Commission to serve on the review panel. Ideally, said volunteer will have some professional arts experience.
BACKGROUND
In December of 2023, the City adopted the Public Art Master Plan to guide the implementation of the City of Alameda’s public art program, in alignment with the vision and goals of the City Council, PAC and Alameda community. The plan recommended the development of “a process for identifying sites for public art in the future.”
Public Art Fellow, Jack Denham Conroy, conducted a year-long research study on future locations for Public Art in the City. On April 30, 2024, Jack presented preliminary research to Recreation and Park department and received feedback on the location ranking process and the development of a community outreach plan.
Five criteria were developed to rank the suitability of sites across 1) Geographic Equity 2) Visibility 3) Safety 4) Environmental Suitability 5) Accessibility and 6) Community Input. Several sites were ranked according to these criteria. A locations survey was designed to garner feedback on the most feasible sites and over 300 residents and workers in Alameda took the survey. The survey findings were incorporated, ranked, and the sites were reviewed by the PAC, resulting in three primary locations:
- Main Street Ferry Terminal
- Washington Park
- Neptune Park
Staff researched site suitability of the three locations, consulting with Alameda Recreation and Parks Department, Public Works, and SF Bay Ferry. Due to flood inundation at both Neptune Park and Main Street Ferry Terminal, as well as the forthcoming reduction in service at Main Street Ferry Terminal, of the three locations, Washington Park was best suited for the City’s next Physical Public Art project. Staff held a walking tour with Recreation and Park staff and the Public Art Commission to review potential locations within Washington Park. After the walking tour, two (2) locations were selected and will be included in the forthcoming RFQ. One location will ultimately be selected.
DISCUSSION
Staff are convening a review panel comprised of six (6) subject matter experts with professional arts experience, when possible. The panel will have up to two members from the City’s Public Art Commission, one Recreation and Parks Commissioner, one Recreation and Parks department staff-member, and up to two members from the neighborhood surrounding Washington Park. Staff are requesting one volunteer from the Recreation and Parks Commission to serve on the review panel. Panelists will screen applicants based on panel scoring criteria and recommend a shortlist of artists from the pool of eligible applicants. The shortlist will then be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals process and receive a stipend to create a small-scale model – called a maquette – of the proposed artwork. Staff will table at Washington Park to share the maquettes and garner public feedback. The review panel will consider public feedback and select the artist to be awarded the Physical Public Art grant.
RECOMMENDATION
Review Update on Physical Public Art in Washington Park and vote on a Recreation and Parks Commissioner to serve on the Public Art review panel.
Respectfully submitted,
Dwayne Dalman, Economic Development Manager
By,
Jackie Keliiaa, Development Manager, Secretary