Title
Recommendation to Retrofit or Decommission Rockspinner Artworks
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
BACKGROUND
In June of 2018, the Public Art Commission (PAC) recommended a grant of $150,000 to artist Zach Coffin for two (2) Rockspinners, and in September of 2018 the City Council approved the grant. The artwork consists of two (2) multi-ton boulders, engineered to easily spin with a single push.
Staff worked with the artist and the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) to engage a contractor to install foundations for both artworks, to be paid for by the grant monies. As part of this process, ARPD agreed to cover the costs associated with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility for the artworks - primarily, the installation of decomposed granite around the Rockspinners to facilitate access ($8,851). During the foundation installation process, the contractors discovered that a small concrete curb would be required to ensure a level surface for installation of the artwork. The additional cost of this curb was $14,538.
In June of 2021, the PAC approved an additional $11,559.50 in funds to cover half of the combined total for the decomposed granite and the concrete curb ($23,119). The initial $150,000 physical art grant plus the unforeseen expenses bring the total cost of the artworks to $173,119. The Rockspinners were installed in Jean Sweeney Open Space Park in 2022.
DISCUSSION
In April of 2026, artist Zach Coffin notified ARPD that a Rockspinner in Warsaw, Poland failed. The same contractor installed the Rockspinners in Alameda. While an engineer did not evaluate the Rockspinner in Poland, the artist believes the failure was due to fasteners used in the design. The failure in question presented an immediate safety issue and, upon receiving the notification, ARPD closed off the artworks in Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. The artworks will remain closed until they can be retrofit or decommissioned.
In June of 2026, staff retained Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) to evaluate the artists’ reinforcement proposal with a limited scope not to exceed $5,000. To date, SGH has invoiced $4,831 for services paid for by the Public Art Fund. After consultation with the artist and evaluation of the artworks, the structural engineer team concluded that the existing fasteners within the shaft are significantly undersized for earthquake loading and they proposed two potential paths forward:
1. Decommission the artworks and remove it from service.
2. Proceed with a more comprehensive retrofit and strengthening program.
The cost to decommission both artworks is about $15,000 and the cost of the comprehensive retrofit is about $40,000.
FINANCIAL
The comprehensive retrofit and strengthening program would likely require modifications to the base plate connection, including re-machining components and/or providing stronger anchors or welded connections to resist the required seismic forces. The SGH team is working with the artist to come up with a total cost based on price quotes from a machine shop and crane rental fees.
The Public Art Fund balance is approximately $821,500. After subtracting the FY26-27 Cultural Art Grants ($65,000) and the SGH structural engineering services ($4,831), the Fund balance is approximately $751,669. An investment of $40,000 to retrofit the artworks would bring the Fund balance to approximately $711,669.
Per the Public Art Ordinance, retrofit expenses would fall under maintenance which is a permitted use of the Alameda Public Art Fund (30-98.10). Given the initial $173,119 the City invested in these artworks, staff recommend the PAC consider investing Public Art Fund dollars in the Rockspinners retrofit.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation to Retrofit or Decommission Rockspinner Artworks
Respectfully submitted,
Dwayne Dalman, Economic Development Manager
By,
Jackie Keliiaa, Development Manager, Secretary