AGENDA #4f(2)

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:

Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

 

 

FROM:

Bill Webster, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation

 

 

SUBJECT:

Selection of Artist for the Chapel Hill Public Library Expansion Project and Pritchard Park

 

 

DATE:

January 22, 2007

 

 

PURPOSE

 

The following resolution would authorize the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Janet Echelman for the creation of public artworks for the Chapel Hill Public Library’s expansion as part of the Town’s Percent for Art Program. The resolution would also authorize the Manager to execute a separate agreement with Janet Echelman to provide art consultation services for the Pritchard Park project.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On March 4, 2002, the Town Council established the Percent for Art Program, which provides for spending 1 percent of the budget of selected capital projects on public art.  The resolution includes an outline of the process for selecting artists and art.

 

On March 27, 2006, the Council directed the Library Building Committee to expand the design process for the Library expansion to include design of Pritchard Park. The Council also directed the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission to recommend an artist for the Pritchard Park process.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Public Arts Commission has followed the adopted Council procedures and completed an artist selection process. The Commission recommends that the Town Council approve Janet Echelman for the creation of public artworks for the Chapel Hill Public Library’s expansion as part of the project’s Percent for Art process. Funds for this project would come from bond funds allocated for the Chapel Hill Library expansion.

 

The Commission also recommends that Janet Echelman be hired under a separate contract to provide art consultation services for the Pritchard Park project. The park portion of the work would not be part of the formal Percent for Art process. Funds for the park design would come from funds already allocated for Pritchard Park.

 

We believe that it is important that the artist join the design team as soon as possible to ensure collaboration with the architect and Town staff in designing artworks for the Library expansion and Pritchard Park.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Public Arts Commission’s Recommendation:  The Commission recommends that Janet Echelman be awarded the Percent for Art commission for the Chapel Hill Public Library’s expansion and an additional contract for art design for Pritchard Park.

 

Manager’s Recommendation:  That the Council adopt the following resolution that would authorize the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Janet Echelman to create public art as part of the Chapel Hill Public Library’s expansion, and specify that the Percent for Art project would be for 1 percent of the total project budget. The resolution would also authorize the Manager to enter into a separate contract with Janet Echelman to provide art design services for the Pritchard Park project.