Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: VANIAH DE ROJAS, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 25, 2024
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING ART MURAL ON CITY PARKING
STRUCTURE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss and provide staff direction regarding the design options for an art mural on the City parking structure in Downtown Downey. The art mural would be painted on the side of the parking structure facing La Reina Street .
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding art mural options for the City Parking Structure in Downtown Downey.
BACKGROUND
At the November 11, 2023 City Council meeting, City staff provided an update to the City Council regarding painting, security cameras, lighting, maintenance services, and security patrol services at the City-owned parking structure in Downtown Downey. As part of this presentation, staff introduced the concept of painting a mural on the City parking structure to attract visitors and create more synergy in the Downtown area. Using examples of other municipal owned parking structures, t he initial concept was to paint a geometric pattern using the City’s color palette/branding. The City Council provided direction to staff to prepare concept designs for City council consideration.
At the February 13, 2024 City Council meeting, staff provided an update on the progress of the security upgrades in the City-owned parking structure in Downtown Downey. As part of the presentation, staff provided geometric concept designs for the art mural on the parking structure. During this meeting, the City Council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to gather other concept designs and engage the community.
APPROVED BY
CITY MANAGER
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In May 2024, City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the City’s open bids portal, Planet Bids, which contacts individual firms via email. Additionally, staff informed the Downtown Downey Improvement Association (DDIA) and the Downey Arts Coalition that this RFP had been released, and was available via the City’s open bids portal. Additionally, the City promoted the RFP on the City’s social media account.
The RFP noted the mural location (side facing La Reina Street), mural size (approx. 1,400 sq. feet) and mural themes that reflect the Downey Community.
The mural themes are listed below, and were developed based on City Council comments and input from the DDIA.
• Aerospace History
• Community Legacy (history, past and present)
• Civic Pride
• Future Unlimited
• Downey Pride
A total of 13 prospective firms received direct notification of the Request for Proposals and 22 prospective firms indicated they were potential proposers. When the RFP process closed, four (4) proposals were received.
ANALYSIS
The proposals were evaluated by three (3) staff members from the Economic Development and Public Information Divisions, and the City Manager’s Office.
The evaluation was based on the following criteria:
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• Organization, Presentation, and Content of Proposal
• Experience
• Qualifications
• Mural Concept(s)
• Adherence to the Requirements of RFP
• Proposed Budget
After the criteria evaluation, Stay Arts ranked the highest, based on its mural concepts and their tie to the Downey community, past art mural experience (especially in the Downey community), qualifications of the proposed team, and overall budget. It should also be noted that Stay Arts was the only proposal that submitted multiple concepts (3), with each concept being from an artist with direct ties to Downey. Additionally, Stay Arts conducted a survey of community residents and stakeholders of diverse ages and backgrounds to help them develop the proposed art mural concepts.
Ranking
1. Stay Arts
2. Man One
3. Casual Living Murals
4. DDIA
On Monday, June 17, 2024, the Downtown Subcommittee, comprised of Mayor Pro Tem Hector Sosa and Councilmember Horacio Ortiz, reviewed the three (3) art mural designs from Stay Arts, and recommended that the City Council consider Concept 2.
The art mural Concept 2, is designed as a vibrant greeting card, warmly welcoming visitors and the community to Downtown Downey. The central feature of the mural is the word “Downey,” with each letter depicting the city’s rich history and significant cultural landmarks. More specifically, the letters include:
D – The Gabrieliño Tongva Native Americans
O – The Rives Mansion
W – The Downey Flag
N – The Apollo Space Capsule
E – The Downey Train Depot
Y – The Downey Arch
These visual stories within the letters celebrate the heritage and milestone s that have shaped Downey into the community it is today.
The background of the mural features an outline map or “blueprint” of the city, grounding the artwork in its specific location and creating a sense of place and belonging. This map
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serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of Downey’s neighborhoods and residents.
In the bottom left corner of the mural, a young astronaut gazes upward, symbolizing the boundless potential and bright futures of the City’s youth. This figure also commemorates future generations and inspires a sense of wonder and ambition, reflecting Downey’s proud legacy in the aerospace industry and its ongoing commitment to innovation and exploration.
The artist for Concept 2 is Tony Reyes, who is a mural artist from Downey, CA and is the co-founder of Mastermind Murals. Notable work includes working with San Diego State University, FOX, City of Huntington Beach, the Los Angeles Police Department, and Universal Studios, to name a few.
Also, during the meeting, the Downtown Subcommittee requested that a modified version of the concept be provided, specifically a lighter background and incorporation of orange groves.
Stay Arts provided a modified version of Concept 2 that includes a lighter blue background and oranges on a tree hanging off of the word "Downey". The orange tree is a nod to the city's rich agricultural history and a symbol of growth, health and vitality. Additionally, Stay Arts updated the young astronaut to a more modern design, and updated the astronaut suit along with incorporating the Downey branding orange.
Concept 2 is included in Attachment A of this report. Additionally, there is a second version of Concept 2, in the attachment that does not incorporate the map outline as the Downtown Subcommittee requested to see a version with the map outline/”blueprint” and one without for City Council consideration.
Next Steps
Should the City Council approve to move forward with the art mural design, staff will prepare a professional services agreement with Stay Arts for the production of the art mural.
The production of the art mural will include the following phases:
• Phase 1 – Pre-Installation – 2 Weeks
o Design revisions, project management, & coordination, equipment coordination, wall assessment, and power wash.
• Phase 2 – Mural Installation – 5 Weeks
o Project management & coordination, wall preparation, and mural production.
• Phase 3 – Post-Installation – 2 Weeks
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o Project management & coordination, artwork review, UV & Anti-graffiti Coating, and Equipment Pick Up.
The total timeframe for the art mural production is 10 weeks, and is anticipated to begin in July 2024 and end in October 2024.
Cost
The cost of the art mural is approximately $80,000. There is sufficient funding in Special Revenue Fund –Fund 40 - CIP 24-12: Parking Structure Painting and Security Cameras Project to cover the cost of the mural.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
Efficiency & Adaptability
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in an expenditure of approximate $80,000 from the Special Revenue Fund –Fund 40 - CIP 24-12: Parking Structure, Account Number 40-1-6913. as previously approved in the FY 20223-2024 operating budget.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Concept 2 – Art Mural Options
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Attachment A
Concept 2 – With Map Outline/”Blueprint”
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Concept 2 – Without Map Outline/”Blueprint”