COVID-19 Memorial Project Contract Award
City Council Meeting - December 13, 2022
• In May 2021, the Mayor and the City Council requested the City Manager to develop a plan and vision for a Long Beach COVID-19 Memorial that would be dedicated to the lives lost during the pandemic and requested the formation of an
Advisory Group to inform the project.
• In January 2022, Ron Arias, former Director of the Health Department, was asked to lead the Committee and its work.
Background
Guiding the COVID-19 Memorial Development
2 • The Committee is comprised of community leaders with backgrounds in the arts, healthcare, and education fields, as well as local organizers, who have led the COVID-19 response at the neighborhood level.
• The Committee is tasked with establishing the framework, goals, and vision for the Memorial
Guiding the Work
Memorial Advisory Committee
3 Memorial Advisory Committee
Chair Ron Arias,
Former Health Dept
Director
Griselda Suarez,
Director, LB Arts
Council
Ron Nelson, Executive
Director, LB Museum
of Art
Charles Song, Leader,
Cambodian
Community
Stanley Kim, Director
Mission Integration,
St. Mary’s Medical
Center
Sabrina Sanders,
Director Toro Re-
engagement
Gloria Cordero,
President, Board of
Water Commissioners
4 • Over the course of multiple meetings, the Advisory
Committee:
• Met to define the purpose, meaning, and vision for the memorial • Established criteria for the future memorial location recommending two location options prioritizing inclusivity and equitable access • Refined vision and scope for the artwork to ensure the memorial is lasting, meaningful, and resonant
• Evaluated artist qualifications and proposals
Establishing the Criteria
The Committee’s Work
5 Committee members conducted
site visits of possible parks and
open spaces to recommend a
memorial location:
✓Access by Transit
✓Parking
✓Public Restrooms
✓Ambiance and Mood
✓Security and Lighting
✓Site Availability
Criteria for Site Location
Civic Center Plaza Shoreline Aquatic Park
6 • The Committee reviewed the submitted qualifications and proposed artworks submitted and ranked PAO Design’s “Twin Arches” as the most responsive and based on the
Committee’s established vision and criteria for the work. • The artwork memorializes the lives lost through an elegant metal structure, which provides an engaging and interactive experience with the artwork.
PAO Design (Long Beach, CA)
Selection Resulting from the Call for Artists/Artwork
7 PAO Design – Twin Arches
8 PAO Design – Twin Arches
9 • Award a contract to PAO Design to advance the submitted concept, confirm technical feasibility, and develop comprehensive cost estimates; • Continue work under the guidance of the Advisory Committee; • Upon completion of the advanced concepts, Staff and the Committee will return to City Council to amend the Contract for detailed design, fabrication and installation and present the refined concept to the Council
Initial Contract Award
10 Thank you!
Eric Lopez
Director of Public Works
11