CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 8, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: DEACCESSION AND RETURN OF PUBLIC ART PIECE “PIN WHEEL” BY
ARTIST LARRY LUBOW
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Housing and Community Development
SUMMARY:
The Public Arts Commission is proposing the deaccession of the art piece Pin Wheel by artist Larry Lubow. The piece was originally accepted as a donation from former Public Arts Chair Ann Sheffer in 2023 for a temporary two-year installation at the Block G Pop Art Park Project. However, the Block G site was found to be structurally inadequate and placing the Pop Art Park Project on this block posed a structural safety risk; therefore, it was determined that the Pop Art Project could not proceed at this site.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the deaccession of Pin Wheel by artist Larry Lubow from the City’s Public Art Collection.
2. Authorize the return of the artwork to the original donor.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to facilitate the de-installation and transfer of the artwork.
BACKGROUND:
At the Public Arts Commission meeting of February 15, 2023, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the donation of art piece, Pin Wheel, by artist Larry Lubow from former Public Arts Chair Ann Sheffer. The Pin Wheel sculpture was first displayed in the 2008 Power of Art exhibition at the historic Redondo Beach power plant. It was constructed in mirrored stainless steel and is corrosion resistant. The whirligig spins freely on ball bearings (shown in Image A on the following page).
City Council Staff Report
April 8, 2026 -- Page 2
Deaccession and Return of Public Art Piece, Pin Wheel
Image A
Pin Wheel By artist Larry Lubow
At the Public Arts Commission meeting of May 3, 2023, the Commission voted unanimously to approve having Impossible Lawn Chair, Popsicles, and Pin Wheel recommended for placement on Block G of the Downtown Development Project. It was later discovered that Block G would not support the weight of the artworks.
At the February 5, 2026, meeting of the Public Arts Commission, the Commission agreed to deaccession this piece as the Pop Art Project would not proceed and the donor of the piece requested that it be returned.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Pop Art Project was proposed on Block G of the Downtown Specific Plan area as an interim art installation while plans for development of the parcel were being considered.
Block G consists of an at-grade concrete deck with a layer of decomposed granite that covers a portion of the underground parking structure. An engineering study was
City Council Staff Report
April 8, 2026 -- Page 3
Deaccession and Return of Public Art Piece, Pin Wheel
prepared to evaluate Block G’s ability to support the Pop Art Project. According to the study:
“The original design of the concrete deck was intended for retail space with a live load capacity of 95 lbs. per square foot.
The addition of an 18” layer of decomposed granite increases the load by approximately 180 lbs. per square foot. Additionally, per code, public areas are required to support 100 lbs. per square foot. This brings the total load to 280 lbs. per square foot.
Given that the concreate deck is only 5 ½” thick, reinforced with #4 rebar spaced 22” apart, it is inadequate to support these combined loads. As a result, placing items such as steel lawn chairs, pinwheels, or the popsicle steel frame on the deck, which is already under stress, poses a structural safety risk.”
Unfortunately, Block G was not found suitable for this installation, and the Pin Wheel sculpture was placed in storage.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). The Guidelines are required to include a list of classes of projects which have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment, and which are exempt from the provisions of CEQA.
In response to that mandate, the Secretary for Resources identified classes of projects that do not have a significant effect on the environment and are declared to be categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Infrastructure and Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact on the General Fund because of this action.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Jay Virata
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
None.