DATE:
May 14, 2024
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Community Development
TITLE: Public Art for Villa-Chiquita Park,
Project 21-61
RECOMMENDATION
Approve James Dinh’s public art proposal— powder-coated aluminum images to be attached to the backrest of the park’s concrete seat walls—for Villa-Chiquita Park, Project 21-61, for $28,000.
BACKGROUND
The proposed 0.39 -acre park site located at 1720 Villa Street (Figure 1) at the Villa Street and Chiquita Avenue intersection was dedicated to the City for park use by the developer of the 1720 Villa Street development project. On June 13, 2023 , the City Council approved a Conceptual
Plan and selected the name “Villa-Chiquita Park.”
Public Art for Villa-Chiquita Park, Project 21-61
May 14, 2024
Figure 1: Project Site
The Conceptual Plan (Figure 2) includes the following elements:
• Lawn area;
• Central plaza area with specimen tree;
• Nature-themed playground;
• Entry plaza opening into raised crosswalk; and
• Picnic tables and benches.
Public Art for Villa-Chiquita Park, Project 21-61
May 14, 2024
Figure 2: Approved Concept for Villa-Chiquita Park and Potential Art Locations
Council also approved plac ing signage within the park to provide historical information about Club Estrella, the primary social club of the local Mexican -American community, which was founded in 1948 just one mile from the future park. The club’s purpose was, and still is, to promote Mexican -American culture in a social atmosphere as well as to assist community members in need.
During the April 12, 2023 meeting to review the concept design, the Parks and Recreation Commission had the following suggestions for public art, including:
• A star theme, as “estrella” translated from Spanish means “star”; • A Mexican-American theme;
• Art integrated into the park’s perimeter fencing; and • Art as an art-and-play piece.
Council Policy K -5 (Attachment 1) requires 2% of the construction budget to be set aside for public art, which in this case is $28,000. The project budget is all- inclusive of project costs, including artist’s fees and expenses, taxes, materials, permit fees (except City building permit fees), travel, shipping and crating, insurance fees, permitting, site preparation, and fabrication/installation or execution of the artwork.
ANALYSIS
On September 13, 2023
, the Visual Arts Committee (VAC) discussed the Villa- Chiquita Park project and recommended staff issue a Call for Artists for public art proposals from Bay Area
Public Art for Villa-Chiquita Park, Project 21-61
May 14, 2024
artists (Attachment 2). The Parks and Recreation Commission expressed interest in integrating the public art into the park frontage fencing and the park elements as well as support the thematic concept of the park.
The Call for Artists was issued on September 25, 2023, with a deadline of October 13, 2023. Ten (10) responses were received. Upon receipt of the submissions, Economic Development staff sought support from Public Works staff to review all the submissions, ensuring there were no immediate engineering concerns.
VAC members scored and juried the artist proposals starting on October 28, 2023. Artist proposals were evaluated based upon prior public art projects, maintenance requirements, and the proposed art. At the December 13, 2023
VAC meeting, staff presented the results of the
scoring for the VAC to discuss further regarding the suitability, cost, and durability of the proposed art.
The VAC selected James Dinh’s proposal (Figure 3) to create powder-coated aluminum images to attach to the backr est of the park’s concrete seat walls/benches. The proposed material, powder-coated aluminum, is durable and requires little maintenance.
Figure 3: James Dinh Art Proposal
The middle of the stars will have historic photographs showing the Mexican-A merican community (Figure 4). These examples show Club Estrella members in a parade (photo from Mountain View Historical Association). The artist will work with community members to collect photos.
Public Art for Villa-Chiquita Park, Project 21-61
May 14, 2024
Figure 4: Historic Photographs
Staff and the artist have determined that the best location for the proposed artwork is to be integrated within three concrete seat walls in the playground area (Figure 5, locations highlighted in yellow).
Figure 5: Proposed Locations for James Dinh’s Artwork
Public Art for Villa-Chiquita Park, Project 21-61
May 14, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT
The public art budget is $28,000 and is included in the project budget for Villa -Chiquita Park, Project 21-61. The recommended artist contract is for $28,000. Since there are sufficient funds available, no additional appropriations are required at this time.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves the recommendation, staff will execute an agreement with James Dinh, and the installation will be completed in time for the opening and dedication of the new park, which is anticipated to be late 2024/early 2025.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not approve the proposed art and either direct staff to work with the artist to modify the art or to issue a new Call for Artists to obtain additional art options for the VAC to review and recommend to Council.
2. Provide other direction.
PUBLIC NOTICING
The Council meeting agenda and Council report have been posted on the City’s website and announced on Channel 26 cable television. An email notification was sent to the Visual Arts Committee about this agenda item.
Prepared by:
Kirstin Hinds
Economic Development Strategist
Reviewed by:
John Lang
Economic Vitality Manager
Approved by:
Dawn S. Cameron
Acting Assistant City Manager/
Community Development Director
Audrey Seymour Ramberg
Assistant City Manager
KH/KY/6/CAM/816-05-14-24CR
204013
Attachments: 1. Council Policy K-5
2. Call for Artists—Public Art, Villa-Chiquita Park, Project 21-61