|
to: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
|
from: |
Jeffrey J. York, Public Art Administrator |
|
subject: |
Update on Community Center Retaining Wall Percent for Art Project |
|
date: |
May 4, 2009 |
The purpose of this report is to update the Town Council on the Preliminary Design for the Percent For Art Project planned for the playground retaining wall at the Community Center on 120 South Estes Drive. Comments on artist David Finn’s design have been received from playground users, the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Mothers Club, and the Art Review Committee comprised of citizens, local artists, and members of Town staff and Council. Future stages of design will be submitted to the Art Review Committee for approval.
On May 10, 2004, Council resolved to authorize conceptual development of a potential Percent For Art project at the Community Center as part of the 2004-2005 Annual Public Art Plan (2004-05-10/R-16).
In July of 2008 the Public Arts Office, the Parks and Recreation Department and the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission developed a project where a deteriorating retaining wall currently bordering the Community Center playground would be replaced with a functional and artistic retaining wall designed and created by a North Carolina artist.
In August of 2008 a Request For Qualifications was issued inviting North Carolina-based artists and artist teams to apply for the commission.
In October of 2008 an Artist Selection Committee comprising local arts professionals; representatives from the Public Arts and the Parks and Recreation Commissions; the Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Engineering departments and the Chapel Hill - Carrboro Mothers Club reviewed the submitted qualifications and selected three finalists to make proposals to the committee.
On January 27, 2009 the Artist Selection Committee interviewed and heard proposals from three finalists in Chapel Hill and selected former Chapel Hill resident and artist David Finn of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In February of 2009 the Arts Commission endorsed this selection.
On February 23, 2009 Chapel Hill Town Council resolved to authorize the Manager to enter into a contract for the project (2009-02-23/R-4).
On February 25, 2009 David Finn canvassed Community Center playground users, showed them project models and a full-size Styrofoam mockup of a wall section, and received feedback.
On March 4, 2009 David Finn presented his design and models to the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Mothers Club and heard their comments.
On April 15, 2009 David Finn presented the project’s Preliminary Design Products to the Art Review Committee comprised of citizens, local artists, and members of Town staff and Council. The design consists of low, playground safety approved, interlocking blocks of concrete and aggregate with carved undulations. The Art Review Committee unanimously approved the Preliminary Design and budget, and provided feedback for consideration in future stages.
Fiscal Note: A total of $47,600 in project funds has been encumbered from the following: $25,000 from the current fiscal year Small Parks Improvement Budget and $22,600 from the 2007-08 Community Center Capital Renovation budget in accordance with Percent for Art Ordinance. $2,600 of the $47,600 encumbered will cover Public Works labor for site preparation and installation costs (removal and recycling of timbers, excavation of hillside with backhoe, installation of protection fencing, installation of filter fabric, placement of 4 yards wash stone, placement and leveling of sand, placement of wall segments with backhoe, backfill and shaping of topsoil, laying of mulch, removal of excess fill). $45,000 of the $47,600 encumbered is the artist’s contract amount, which covers design, fabrication, transportation and installation.
The following Preliminary Design Products are attached: a plan providing general dimensions and drawings of detailed sections (Attachment 1); a preliminary budget (Attachment 2); and a memorandum detailing project specifications and coordination (Attachment 3). These Preliminary Design Products have been informed by input from the public and Town constituencies mentioned above, including Harold Harris of the Public Works Department and Robert Minick of the Parks and Recreation Department.
By May 15, 2009 Detailed Design Products will be submitted for approval by the Art Review Committee. By July 15, 2009 Construction Documents will be submitted for approval by the Art Review Committee. By August 1, 2009 a schedule for Fabrication, Delivery and Installation will be submitted for approval by the Art Review Committee. Progress reports at 50% and 100% completion will be submitted for approval by the Art Review Committee. Town Council will receive updates as the project progresses.
The anticipated delivery and installation period for this project are seven to ten days during late-August / early-September 2009, immediately following the end of the summer camp programs at the Community Center. Delivery and installation will be coordinated with the Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments.
No action is required.
1. Community Center Retaining Wall Maps (p. 4).
2. Chapel Hill Community Center Wall-Phase 1 (p. 10).
3. Memorandum to Public Art Review Committee (p. 12).