July 2, 2024
Economic Development
DATE: July 2, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Winifred Day, Arts and Culture Manager
Subject:
Allen Brothers Steak and Seafood Facility Public Art
Mural and Mosaic Tile Project
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $250,000 is available in the Arts & Culture Private Developer fund balance.
(13564165-400201-36041)
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is seeking City Council approval to appropriate Arts & Culture private developer funds and enter
contracts with artists to install a mural and mosaic
tabletops at 211 West Cutting Boulevard, celebrating the local community and enhancing the Allen Brothers Steak
and Seafood Facility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROPRIATE $250,000 in Arts
& Culture private developer funds; and APPROVE two
contracts, one with Hungry Ghost Productions in the
amount of $210,000, for the installation of a mural, and another with Wilma Wyss in the amount of $40,000, for
the installation of mosaic tabletops at the Allen Brothers Steak and Seafood Facility located at 211 West Cutting
Boulevard, for the term beginning July 3, 2024, through June 30, 2025 – Economic Development Department
(Nannette Beacham 510-621-1306/Winifred Day 510-
620-6952).
AGENDA
REPORT
July 2, 2024
DISCUSSION:
Background
Prologis purchased the property located at 211 West Cutting Boulevard, Richmond, CA and leased it to Allen Brothers Steak and Seafood Facility. Per the City of Richmond’s Public Art Program Ordinance (Section 6.50.030), private developers must provide one percent of the building development costs as a public art contribution. Allen Brothers satisfied this requirement by paying an in-lieu contribution fee, delegating the on-site art project management process to the City of Richmond Arts & Culture staff. In May 2023, Allen Brothers presented their proposal for a mural and tabletops to the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission (RACC), which voted to accept the proposal, initiating the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
Request for Proposals (RFP) Process
The RFP was issued on December 22, 2023, via the City’s BidsOnline system and local public art registries (Attachment 1). It solicited designs and installations for a 250 linear foot mural and eight mosaic tabletops. The application deadline was set for February 5, 2024. Fifteen applications were received and reviewed by a selection panel comprised of five stakeholders, including the building owner (Prologis), the building tenant (Allen Brothers), an art administrator from another East Bay city, and two RACC members. Using a point-based system, the panel rated the applications (Attachment 2) and subsequently selected four mural and four mosaic tile semi-finalists. Semi-finalists were given approximately 30 days to further develop their concept design proposals, incorporating feedback from the selection panel. This period also allowed the artists additional time to research the City of Richmond to inform their project proposals. The semi-finalists were then asked to present their art concept proposals on May 16, 2024, which also allowed the panel to meet the artists in person and view the maquettes and tile samples. The panel made their final decision and selected two artist teams, Hungry Ghost Productions and Wilma Wyss Design, based on their revised proposed concept designs celebrating Richmond and creating a positive visual statement (Attachment 3).
The Richmond Arts & Culture Commission met on June 13, 2024, and voted to accept the panel's recommendation to move forward with the two selected vendors.
Recommendation
City staff recommends approval of two contracts, one with Hungry Ghost Productions in the amount of $210,000 for the installation of the mural, and another with Wilma Wyss in the amount of $40,000 for the installation of the mosaic tabletops at the Allen Brothers Steak and Seafood Facility located at 211 West Cutting Boulevard, for the term beginning July 3, 2024, through June 30, 2025 (Attachments 4 and 5). The artists have demonstrated exceptional ability to fulfill the project's thematic direction and aesthetic requirements and their proposed works will significantly enhance the cultural and visual appeal of the city.
July 2, 2024
Next Steps
Following City Council approval, City staff will finalize contracts with the artists and arrange project commencement meetings. Completion is estimated within six to eight months, with flexibility for necessary adjustments.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Request for Proposals (RFP)
Attachment 2 – Scoring Matrix
Attachment 3 – Proposed Concept Designs
Attachment 4 – Contract: Hungry Ghost Productions
Attachment 5 – Contract: Wilma Wyss
Attachment 6 – Resolution