memorandum

to:                  Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

from:            Jeffrey J. York, Public Arts Administrator

subject:      Presentation by Mikyoung Kim of the Detailed Artwork Design for 140 West (Lot 5 Development)

date:            December 8, 2008

PURPOSE

The purpose of this presentation and report is to update the Town Council on the detailed design for the artwork planned for 140 West on Lot 5, at the corner of West Franklin and Church Streets.

BACKGROUND

On June 27, 2007, the Town Manager executed two agreements with Mikyoung Kim, artist, for the Lot 5 Development:

The Council’s resolution of June 27, 2007 included a provision for Council review of both the preliminary and detailed designs.

On September 27, 2007 the Town, Ram Development Company, and Mikyoung Kim entered into a contract to revise the Art Master Plan, to prepare a preliminary design of her artwork for the site and to help in selecting an additional artist for a second public art commission on site.

 Ms. Kim presented her preliminary design to the Public Art Review Committee,  to the public via a public information forum held at the Chapel Hill Library, and to the Town Council on January 28, 2008 ( please see attachment 1).   The members of the Public Art review Committee (PARC) are listed in attachment 2.

Written comments were made by Town staff and PARC concerning the initial design.  After this input, Mikyoung Kim prepared revised preliminary designs and responded to Town staff and Public Art Committee comments in the spring of 2008.    On March 11, 2008, the PARC reviewed Ms. Kim’s revised preliminary design.  The preliminary design and comments were circulated to town departments (Fire, Police, Public Works, and Engineering) for their commentary.  Subsequently, the PARC approved the preliminary design and Ms. Kim’s contract for preliminary design was completed on July 25, 2008. 

The Public Art Review Committee (PARC) convened again on September 30, 2008 to review revised detailed design.  The detailed was reviewed favorable.  The Committee was pleased with the direction the design had taken and the way Mikyoung Kim’s design had addressed issues raised by Town staff comments to the preliminary design.    The Committee made additional comments to Ms. Kim (see attachment 3)

Committee comments included the issue of the connection of the Lot 5 project with the streetscape plan, also being developed by Mikyoung Kim.  The artist’s visit this week and presentation provides an opportunity to coordinate Ms. Kim’s proposed artwork with the proposed Streetscape Master Plan. On the morning of December 9, 2008, she is scheduled to meet with and present her proposed streetscape plan to the Council’s Streetscape Master Plan sub-committee

DISCUSSION

On December 8, 2008 prior to the presentation to Council, Ms. Kim will meet with the Public Art Review Committee to talk about her design and address any remaining questions.  She will also present her design to the public in a meeting held at the Library that same afternoon at 4:00 p.m.   Her presentation to the Town Council will review how the design has evolved since Ms. Kim’s January 2008 presentation, and because she has moved into the detailed design phase under the new contract.   

NEXT STEPS

After tonight’s presentation, Ms. Kim will continue to work with the Public Art Review Committee on the further refinement of her design and the design development phase of her proposed artwork based on the stages of work and review schedules contained in her contract.  Ms. Kim will also help coordinate and integrate the design of artist, Gordon Huether, who has been contracted to create a separate artwork for Lot 5, Area II.  The Council’s Streetscape Master Plan sub-committee will also meet with Ms. Kim on December 9, 2008 to review a revised Streetscape Master Plan and provide comments back to the artist/consultant.

RECOMMENDATION

No action is required.

ATTACHMENTS

  1. Memorandum to Council January 28, 2008 (p. 3).
  2. Public Art Review Committee Roster (p. 6).
  3. September 15, 2008 Document of Mikyoung Kim’s Responses to Town Staff Comments [48 KB pdf] (p. 7).
  4. September 30, 2008 Document of Mikyoung Kim’s Additional Responses to Comments (p. 13).
  5. September 30, 2008 Comments of the Public Art Review Committee (p. 15).