Title
Recommendation to Approve 1925 Everett Street as the New Location for the Dan Fontes Mural and the Egret as the New Design for the Mural; and
Adoption of Resolution Amending the Public Art Fund Budget to Appropriate up to $1,500 for the Dan Fontes Mural. (Community Development 256)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2018, City Council approved a grant for a mural by Dan Fontes at 1512 Webster Street. After the property owners decided that they no longer wished to proceed with the project, the Public Art Commission (PAC) identified a new location at 1925 Everett Street, and new site-specific design for the mural. Staff recommends City Council approve the new location and design, and allocate an additional $1,500 to original $12,500 grant by to cover redesign costs.
BACKGROUND
In June of 2018, the PAC recommended a grant of $12,500 to artist Dan Fontes for the creation of the Astro Mural, and in September of 2018, the City Council approved the grant along with other physical art grants. The planned artwork consisted of a mural of the 1971 Gottlieb game entitled "Astro," depicting a vibrant large‐scale pinball back glass. In the grant application, the artist proposed that the mural be located on the back of 1512 Webster Street (a privately owned building housing the Pacific Pinball Museum) facing the Webster Street public parking lot (see Exhibit 1 for the full proposal). In November of 2019, the property owners notified City staff that they no longer wished to proceed with the mural project.
Over the next nine (9) months, staff worked with the artist and the Public Art Commission to identify a new location for the artwork, including the exploration of locations in the West Alameda Business District, in City of Alameda (City) parks, and in the Downtown Alameda Business District. In August of 2020, the PAC recommended 1925 Everett Street as the new location for the mural. The mural would be located on the brick wall facing Blanding Avenue.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Fontes provided two new mural designs for 1925 Everett Street: The Egret and Park Street 1909 (Exhibit 2). In order to gather community input, staff publicized the mural designs via a webpage, press release, social media campaign, flyers in the Alameda Library to-go bags, and the Public Art email list. The public comment period was open from February 11 to 28, and received 799 responses via google form (Exhibit 3) and eight responses via email (Exhibit 4).
In March 2021, the PAC recommended approval of the Egret design to City Council. The Egret reflects the site’s proximity to the Oakland estuary, and the native wildlife which frequents the channel. While the artwork is located in an industrial area, it reveals the natural ecosystem located just one block away. In addition, the PAC recommended that the City Council approve 1925 Everett Street as the new location for the Dan Fontes Mural and a grant increase of $1,500 to cover costs for the new mural design.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve 1925 Everett Street as the new location for the Dan Fontes Mural, the Egret as the new design for the mural, and a grant increase of $1,500 to cover redesign costs.
• Approve 1925 Everett Street as the new location for the Dan Fontes Mural, Park Street 1909 as the new design for the mural, and a grant increase of $1,500 to cover redesign costs.
• Request additional locations and/or mural designs for consideration. Please note that additional designs would require the identification of funding for new design work.
• Do not approve the new location, design, or grant increase. In this case the funding would be returned to the Public Art Fund for future public art grants.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City Council previously approved the original grant award of $12,500 on September 18, 2018, with funds allocated from the Public Art Fund. An additional budget appropriation of $1,500 is required from the Public Art Fund for the proposed grant increase.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This project is consistent with the Public Art Ordinance (A.M.C. §30-98), which finds that incorporation of public art into private and public development will create a unique sense of community as well as public identity and enhance the visual and aesthetic quality of such developments.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed public art installations are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
This artwork will help to raise awareness of the local natural ecosystem, which is at risk due to climate change.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve 1925 Everett Street as the new location for the Dan Fontes mural, and the Egret as the new design for the mural; and adopt a resolution allocating a grant increase of $1,500 to cover redesign costs.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Maxwell, Community Development Director
By,
Amanda Gehrke, Development Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Astro Mural Finalist Proposal
2. Proposed Mural Designs
3. Community Feedback (via Survey)
4. Community Feedback (via Email)
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager