CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
May 7, 2024 {{section.number}}h
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE “ART OUTSIDE THE BOX – TAKE 3!” PROJECT FOR
INSTALLATION OF NEW ARTWORK ON TEN CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) BOXES ON ORANGE AVENUE FROM THIRD STREET TO
AVENIDA DE LAS ARENAS AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED
DOCUMENTATION TO CALTRANS
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution accepting the recommendation of the Cultural Arts Commission to approve the “Art Outside the Box – Take 3!” Project for installation of new artwork on ten California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) boxes on Orange Avenue from Third Street to Avenida de las Arenas, direct the City Manager to submit all required documentation to Caltrans, and find that the project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15301, existing facilities.
BACKGROUND:
The Coronado Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) is charged by the City Council to make recommendations regarding the acquisition and placement of public art in the community. Goals include encouraging the broad distribution of public art throughout Coronado, recommending the acquisition of a broad range of works of art of the highest quality, and encouraging human interactions with public places by the placement of public art. The beautification of utility boxes is listed as a desirable public art project in the “Coronado Public Art Masterplan” adopted by the Coronado City Council approved by the City Council on August 17, 2021.
The utility box wrap process has been utilized for several City public art projects over the last decade due to its durability, quality of the application, ease of cleaning and the flexibility provided to participating artists. To date the City’s wrap projects have included three portable metal bathroom trailers, four public pianos and 14 utility boxes that include eight boxes on Orange Avenue and six boxes on the Silver Strand Highway. The projects have successfully integrated art with functionality.
In May 2019 the Cultural Arts Commission began the process to replace the artwork on the original “Art Outside the Box” project completed in 2018. Eight boxes were originally wrapped, and two additional boxes have been added to this new phase with the installation of the new traffic light at the entrance to the Hotel del Coronado.
ANALYSIS:
Discussions were initiated with Caltrans to launch “Art Outside the Box - Take 3!” in March 2023.
The main goals for establishing this project were to create visible public art where plain utility boxes are sited and deter graffiti tags from appearing on utility boxes in Coronado, and this project has been effective. The project connects artists with creative opportunities, with a focus on student artists.
Caltrans’ program requirements include submitting a Public Agency Resolution and documentation of community support, review and acceptance of proposed artwork that meets the requirements of their program, and an agreement between the City of Coronado and Caltrans for future maintenance of the artwork on the boxes by the City. The City currently has maintenance agreements for the first two phases of this program and maintenance of the boxes have been minimal.
The Cultural Arts Commission approved the concept of using historical images as a theme on the nine boxes and adding a “pop” of color to enhance the photos. The Cultural Arts Commission collaborated with the Coronado Historical Association (CHA) student internship program and Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) graphic arts students to select photos and create the artwork.
Coronado High School interns researched historical images from the Historical Association’s collection and selected images based on the site. The images were juried by representatives from the Historical Association, the Cultural Arts Commission, and the community. Selected images were then provided to CoSA graphic students to create the finalized box wraps. The finished wrap designs were juried again and then reviewed and approved for recommendation to the Council and Caltrans by the Cultural Arts Commission.
The tenth box is at Avenida del Sol in front of the Shores sign. The smaller box artwork recommendation is to camouflage the box with photos of existing landscaping. In June 2023 representatives from the Commission and City staff met with the Coronado Shores Community Alliance Group (CAG) and they were supportive of the wraps suggested for boxes near the Shores and requested the small box be wrapped this way as it tends to blend in with the environment.
The Commission also sought public comments on the project through social media and public display at the Coronado Community Center and all comments were positive. An article regarding the utility box program appeared in the January 2024 Coronado Magazine announcing this program and highlighting the collaboration with CHA and CoSA as well as the theme of the artwork.
City staff and the Chair of the Cultural Arts Commission met with Caltrans on March 19, 2024, to review proposed artwork and received tentative approval that the proposed artwork meets their program’s standards. A preliminary request will be submitted to Caltrans if City Council approves the artwork and submittal of all associated documents. The tentative project schedule is completion by June 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated cost of this project is $9,882.38 as reflected in the attached budget. The CAC has sufficient funds in the FY 2023-24 budget within account 15053000-80704.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council could decide not to accept the recommendation of the Cultural Arts Commission and provide direction on the utility box program.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
This activity is exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15301, existing facilities.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 2024-30
2. Community Comments Summary - Art Outside the Box - Take 3!
3. Art Outside the Box - Take 3! Recommended Art Work
4. Art Outside the Box - Take 3! Project Budget
Submitted By: City Manager's Office / Kelly Purvis