Item No. 10.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: VANIAH DE ROJAS, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2025
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING ART MURAL ON CITY PARKING STRUCTURE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss and provide staff with 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, the 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 for a mural at this location and engage the community.
In May 2024, City staff issued a RFP through the City’s open bids portal, Planet Bids, which contacts individual firms via e-mail about the proposal opportunity. 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.
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:
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 its tie to the Downey community, past art mural experience, 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.
On Monday, June 17, 2024, the Downtown Subcommittee, comprised of Mayor 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 with the following modifications:
Specifically a lighter background
Incorporation of orange groves
Concept 2 was originally planned to be discussed at the June 25, 2024 meeting, but was later withdrawn by staff to develop variations of Concept 2. More specifically, updating the historical references in the "Downey" letters, different orientation of the "Welcome to", and options of the art reference in the left corner of the mural. Tonight, staff is returning with three updated variations of Concept 2 (Attachment A) for the Council's consideration.
ANALYSIS
Concept 2- Option A
The art mural Concept 2 - Option A, celebrates Downey’s rich history and identity. The large postcard-style letters highlight iconic local landmarks, from aerospace and innovation to historic architecture and civic pride. More specifically, the letters in the postcard include:
D – The Kaufmann Building/Vultee Aircraft Rotunda
O – The Rives Mansion
W – The Downey Flag
N – An Apollo Spacecraft atop a Saturn Rocket
E – The Casa de Parley Johnson
Y – The Downey Grammar School Arch
This map serves as a reminder of the inter-connectedness of Downey’s neighborhoods and residents. The orange tree hanging off the word "Downey" is a nod to the City's rich agricultural history and a symbol of growth, health and vitality.
Lastly, at the bottom left corner of the mural, there is 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.
Concept 2 - Option B
Option B includes the same imagery as Option A, but instead of the young astronaut at the bottom left corner of the mural, it includes an illustration of Space Shuttle Columbia, further highlighting the City's aerospace history and a nod to the City's Smithsonian affiliated Columbia Memorial Space Center.
Concept 2 - Option C
Option C Includes the same imagery as Option A, but without the young astronaut at the button left corner of the mural.
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.
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
Design revisions, project management & coordination, equipment coordination, wall assessment, and power wash.
Phase 2 – Mural Installation – 5 Weeks
Project management & coordination, wall preparation, and mural production.
Phase 3 – Post-Installation – 2 Weeks
Project management & coordination, artwork review, UV & Anti-graffiti Coating, and Equipment Pick Up.
The total estimated time frame for the art mural production is 10 weeks, and is anticipated to begin in January 2026 and end in April 2026.
Cost
The cost of the art mural is approximately $94,000 and will be funded from the Arts in Public Places Fund, not the General Fund. The Arts in Public Places Fund is a City program that provides original artworks that are easily accessible to the general public throughout the City.
A one (1) percent Public Art Fee is applied to construction and reconstruction projects with monies used for future art projects in the City. Developers could also install a public art piece in the City (minimum value of $30,000) in lieu of the fee.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety, & Infrastructure
BOARD/COMMISSION/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION
Reviewed by the Downtown City Council Subcommittee in July 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in an appropriation amount of $94,000 from the Arts in Public Places Fund, Fund 47, Account No. 47-1-6913-0520.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A. Art Mural Concepts.pdf
Attachment A
Concept 2 – Option A
Concept 2 – Option B
Concept 2 – Option C