March 3, 2026
Economic Development
DATE: March 3, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Jordon Nesbitt, Administrative Assistant, Arts and Culture
Subject:
Contract with Gordon Huether & Partners and Sonnikson
Inc. for a Public Art Sculpture Project
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $225,000 expenditure is included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 Arts & Culture One-
Percent Fund budget (Account String: 13564165-400201-
36043). There is no impact on the General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff requests approval of two contracts to deliver the IMTT site-specific sculpture at 100 West Cutting
Boulevard: (1) a design and fabrication contract with
Gordon Huether & Partners; and (2) an installation
contract with Sonnikson Inc. (Class B General
Contractor).
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a contract with Gordon Huether & Partners in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for sculpture design
and fabrication, and APPROVE a contract with
Sonnikson Inc. in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for
sculpture installation, both for a term beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026 - Economic
Development Department/Arts and Culture Division
(Nannette Beacham/Jordon Nesbitt 510-620-6787).
AGENDA
REPORT
March 3, 2026
DISCUSSION
Background
The IMTT developer requested that the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission (RACC) administer a $225,000 public art sculpture project, located within a 17’ x 17’ installation area at 100 West Cutting Boulevard on IMTT’s private property.
In October 2024, the Arts & Culture Division issued a Call for Artists through BidsOnline, targeting local sculptors (Attachment 1). A three-member selection panel—comprised of one IMTT representative and two RACC Commissioners—reviewed all submissions. A total of five applications were received. From these, four semi-finalists were selected and each awarded a $2,000 stipend to develop a maquette and presentation board (Attachment 2). Submissions were due November 4, 2024, and 15-minute interviews were held on November 6, 2024.
Following the scoring and panel deliberations, artist Gordon Huether earned the highest score and was recommended by the RACC for City Council approval of an all-inclusive $175,000 design and fabrication contract (Attachment 3 and 4). His proposal demonstrated strong alignment with project goals, site context, durability standards, and budget parameters (Attachment 5).
The general contractor initially proposed by Gordon Huether & Partners was unable to meet the City’s contracting and insurance compliance requirements. In response, staff collaborated with the artist and IMTT to solicit additional quotes from qualified contractors capable of meeting state licensing, insurance, and project specifications.
Three contractors were solicited, and their proposals were reviewed by IMTT’s project manager, RACC Commissioners, City staff, and the artist. It was determined that Sonnikson Inc., a licensed Class B General Contractor, best met the needs of the project while complying with City and IMTT requirements.
Sonnikson Inc. will install the prefabricated artwork designed by Gordon Huether & Partners for a lump sum not to exceed $50,000. Their written estimate (File #25-506-01) totals $49,990, which includes foundation preparation, crane/rigging, labor, and coordination with the artist’s fabrication team (Attachment 6).
CONCLUSION
City staff recommend that the City Council approve contracts with Gordon Huether & Partners and Sonnikson Inc. Approval will enable the Arts & Culture Division, IMTT, and RACC to deliver a high-quality, site-specific public artwork that advances the City’s Arts Corridor goals, enhances private development through a public benefit, and fulfills IMTT’s commitment to integrating public art into its facility improvements.
March 3, 2026
NEXT STEPS
Upon Council approval, staff will:
Finalize contract execution with both parties
Coordinate fabrication and delivery schedule with the artist Oversee installation and site compliance activities
Add the completed artwork to the City of Richmond’s permanent public art collection
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – RFQ RFP BidsOnline IMTT Sculpture Commission Attachment 2 –RFP IMTT Semi-Finalist Deliverables
Attachment 3 –Artwork and Installation Scoring Matrix
Attachment 4 – Rendering and Site Diagram (17’ x 17’ Installation Area) Attachment 5 – Gordon Huether and Partners Contract
Attachment 6 – Sonnikson Inc. Contract