Agenda Item
DATE: 8/12/2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITYCOUNCIL
FROM: JOAN MALLOY, CITYMANAGER
SUBJECT: ADOPT ARESOLUTION APPROVING THE BART MURAL PROJECT WORKPLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the BART Mural Project workplan. The proposed project includes a five-phase implementation process that includes a robust community input, a process for regular updates to the City Council, and coordination with BART.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Goal E. Communication and Outreach: Build connections with community partners, residents, and employees.
Strategy: Collaborate with the Arts and Culture Commission and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to place murals on the Kennedy Park BART pillars.
BACKGROUND
The City of Union City adopted a five-year Strategic Plan in 2019. On September 26, 2023, City Council adopted the Strategic Plan FY 2019-2020 through FY2024-2025 Final Update which served as an opportunity for the Council to review progress and establish priorities for the remaining two years of the Strategic Plan. The final update included new strategies to the existing goals.
The strategy to place murals on the BART pillars in Kennedy Park was initially incorporated into the Strategic Plan in August 2021 (as reflected above in the Strategic Plan Alignment above) and readopted in September 2023. Staff began working with the Arts and Culture Commission on the BART mural project (“Project”) in 2023. However, during that time there was frequently a lack of quorum to hold the Arts and Culture Commission meetings, and establishing an ad hoc committee to focus on the Project was hampered by changing Commissioner appointments.
The Project began in earnest in 2024 with the Arts and Culture Commission establishing an ad hoc committee to demonstrate the Commission’s support in prioritizing this project and to also focus on the creation of a Union City Public Art Map. City staff received initial guidance from BART about how to proceed with a mural proposal. Due to the size and scope of the Project and the strict guidelines for art installation, BART highly recommended hiring an art consultant to facilitate the planning and implementation of the Project through BART’s application process and act as a liaison between the City and the BARTArts Program staff. The BARTArts Program Master Plan 2019 lays out their vision, strategy and framework to promote the inclusion of all art forms, from permanent and changing visual art to music, performance and literary arts. A copy of the master plan is available online; https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/BARTArtMasterPlan_Final_lo_res.pdf In April 2025 the City entered into an agreement with Evelyn Orantes (EO) Consulting, who has decades of experience in arts administration, public art, and cultural programming, to provide staff guidance and support throughout the BART Mural Project. As a public art consultant, curator, and cultural strategist, EO Consulting specializes in developing and managing large-scale public art projects, including murals, exhibitions, and site-specific installations through a visionary approach to creative placemaking and community-driven storytelling. More recently, EO Consulting was the project lead for BART’s Fruitvale Station multi-phase mural display that includes ten (10) pillars leading from the BART station into the Fruitvale Business District. Attachment I includes more information about EO Consulting.
Now with the ad hoc committee in place and the guidance of EO Consulting, the public outreach for this Project is underway. A community survey has been released to solicit public engagement and begin the process of defining the Project’s vision and theme. The input from the City Council at this early stage is also important to the success of the project.
DISCUSSION
Throughout the Project, the ad hoc committee will consult with BART through their Arts Program to ensure the proposed theme, artist(s) selection, and mural design adheres to their art and design guidelines and other requirements, prior to forwarding recommendations to the Arts and Culture Commission and City Council for final approval. A robust community engagement process will inform meaningful themes, values, and stories for the installation of the murals on the available nine (9) pillars. The ad hoc committee provides ongoing Project updates and gathers input at the regular Arts and Culture Commission meetings. This will ensure a transparent and inclusive approach that is centered in community voice. The approved final design and related costs will determine the number of BART pillars that will have murals placed upon them.
Next Steps
City staff and the Arts and Culture Commission, with the guidance of EO Consulting, developed a proposed BART Mural Project Workplan, for May 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The goal is to complete the mural installation by February 2027. Given the scope of the BART mural installation, the workplan is comprised of five phases. Exhibit A provides detailed workplan activities and timelines. The following is a brief overview of each of the five phases.
Phase I: Establishment of Regular BART Mural ProjectAd Hoc Committee Meetings and Project Theme Development, May – December 2025
Focus on establishing regular BART Mural Project ad hoc committee meetings, project workplan and deliverables, public outreach and community engagement activities, and research.
City CouncilAction: Arts and Culture Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council to approve the final mural theme across the nine pillars.
Phase II: Competitive Bid Process Development andArtist Selection, September 2025 – June 2026 Focus on beginning engagement with BART’s Art Program on approval of theme and scope of Project, identifying and contracting the artist(s) for the project through a transparent, inclusive competitive bid plan and process.
City CouncilAction: Arts and Culture Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council to authorize a contract with the selected artist(s) and an MOU with BART.
PHASE III: Mural Design and Planning, June – September 2026 Focus on finalizing mural designs and budget, aligning City recommendations and BART guidelines, and laying the groundwork for a successful production phase.
City CouncilAction: Arts and Culture Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council to approve the final mural design and project budget.
PHASE IV: Mural Fabrication and Production, September 2026 – February 2027 Focus on site prep, mural execution, and coordination with appropriate partner agencies to ensure all essential elements are considered (permitting, vendors, mural installation activities, etc.).
City CouncilAction: Staff updates the Arts and Culture Commission and City Council on the BART Mural Project.
PHASE V: Mural Unveiling Event and Legacy Planning, January – March 2027 Focus on planning an unveiling event and programming and developing a maintenance plan for the long-term care of the BART mural installation.
City CouncilAction: Staff updates the Arts and Culture Commission and City Council on BART Mural Project completion, unveiling event, and project evaluation report.
Throughout the Project, the Arts and Culture Commission and City Council will provide guidance and approval on key elements of the BART mural design and installation. Specifically, the City Council will be briefed and asked for their confirmation and approval of the theme, approval of the selected artist(s), and final approval of the proposed mural design.
FISCAL IMPACT
The BART Mural Project is funded through the Public Art In-Lieu Fee – Fund 268, which currently has a balance of approximately $863,000 of unencumbered funds. This fund is replenished when a developer pays an in-lieu fee instead of providing public art. If a developer provides art as part of their project, there is no payment of the fee. These funds cover all publicly installed art, such as the art at the Sports Center entrance and the utility box mural project.
The Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan already identifies $200,000 for the Project. However, the actual estimated cost will not be known until the final artist(s) is/are selected and the final scope of the work is understood. At each step through Phase II and Phase III the costs will become clearer. Final project design, number of murals to be installed, artist selection, and design concept will determine actual costs.
There is no budget action at this time.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the BART Mural Project workplan.
Prepared by:
Laura Buzo, Community and Recreation Services Director
Submitted by:
Laura Buzo, Community and Recreation Services Director
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Attachment 1 - EvelynOrantes Consulting PowerPoint Attachment Draft Resolution for BARTMural Project Workplan Resolution ExhibitA - BARTMural Project Workplan Exhibit
REVIEWERS:
Department Reviewer Action Date
Leisure Services/Youth and Family Services Pham, Thai Approved 8/8/2025 - 7:54 PM City Manager’s Department Pham, Thai Approved 8/8/2025 - 7:54 PM