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 v...
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