DRAFT CITY OF OAKLAND MEASURE DD

UPDATED PUBLIC ART PLAN PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS GAIL M. GOLDMAN ASSOCIATES May 25, 2007 Overview The City of Oakland’s Public Art Advisory Committee and Cultural Affairs Commission adopted a Public Art Plan for Measure DD in October 2005. The plan was developed with the understanding that the percent-for-art allocation could be pooled and used anywhere within the Measure DD initiative. However, new leadership in the City resulted in clarification of the use of funds. The bond requires that monies allocated from one funding category (Lake Merritt, Estuary Waterfront Access & Baytrail, Youth and Public Recreation Facilities, and Creeks and Waterways Restoration) must be applied to projects within that category only. In addition, the expenditure of Measure DD funds for soft costs (staff, artist selection panels, artist fees, etc.) must not exceed 32%. These requirements necessitated an analysis and update of the original Public Art Plan. Current projects were evaluated and new opportunities were developed. This Updated Public Art Plan reviews existing projects, recommends new projects and redistributes the available funds according to the mandates of the Measure DD bond. The Project Summary from the October 2005 Public Art Plan is included as Addendum A. Current Status In Progress

Location

Artists

Current Budget

Studio One Art Center

Temescal

Cork Marcheschi

$120,000

Fairyland Children’s Play Tunnel

Lake Merritt

Lynne-Rachel Altman Richard Jennings Biliana Stremska Daniel Schmidt

$75,000

12th St. Metal Rail Work & Retaining Wall Art Design

Lake Merritt

John Rogers Todd Blair

$150,000

Channel Design Team Collaboration

Channel

Lewis de Soto John Roloff

$150,000

View Platform

66th Avenue

Fernanda D’Agostino Valerie Otani

$225,000

Completed Trail Markers Union Point Park

Location Estuary Estuary

Artist Mildred Howard Ned Kahn

Budget $ 15,000 $ 73,575

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DRAFT Updated Project Summary Artist Fee

Artwork

25,000* 10,000

120,000* 95,000

Lake Merritt 12th Street Reconstruction Metalwork/Lighting Project TOTAL

250,000

Lakeside Demonstration Garden Entry Gates TOTAL

60,000* 10,000

Snow Park (20th Street Gateway) Harrison Street at Lakeside Drive TOTAL

50,000* 20,000

70,000 500,000* 570,000

NEW Bellevue Avenue Greenspace Earthwork TOTAL

30,000

170,000 200,000

Channel Channel Design Team Collaboration (Natural Habitat, Swale, Channel) TOTAL

89,100*

155,900* 119,100 364,100

Estuary Estuary Park Overlook West End of Oakland Waterfront Trail TOTAL

50,000*

325,000* 375,000

Youth & Recreation Facilities NEW East Oakland Aquatic, Sports and Recreation Facility Exterior Artwork TOTAL

20,000

130,000 150,000

Creeks Restoration

NEW Creek Nodes at Lake Merritt Interpretive Markers TOTAL

12,000

GRAND TOTAL

60,000 PLUS 20,000 Lake Merritt funds 92,000

$2,071,100

*Original budget figures 2

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DRAFT Project Administration: New Initiatives

PUBLIC ART PROJECT

LOCATION

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

ELIGIBILITY

NEW Bellevue Avenue Earthwork

Lake Merritt

Nomination

National

East Oakland Aquatic, Sports, and Recreation Facility

Ira Jenkins Park Open Competition

Bay Area

Creek Nodes: Interpretive Markers

Lake Merritt

Bay Area

Open Competition

Project Recommendations Existing Projects 12th STREET METALWORK/LIGHTING PROJECT PROJECT AREA: Project Designer: Project Artists:

$250,000

Lake Merritt, 12th Street Sasaki Associates Inc. John Rogers and Todd Blair

ORIGINAL INTENT The original intent of this project was to commission an artist or artist team for $150,000 to (1) design modular units and specialized segments of railing at Waterfront Plaza, Arc pier, and the Pedestrian Bridge and (2) to design treatment to the concrete surface on the Lake Merritt side of the Pedestrian Bridge, the Channel, and the bridge supports. The project landscape architect had agreed to identify “place-holders” for the railings, concrete walls, and bridge supports on the design drawings while awaiting the selected artists’ designs. RECOMMENDATION Artists John Rogers and Todd Blair have teamed together to develop a comprehensive plan of public art projects and integrated designs. Since the artists work in distinctly different media -- John Rogers with metal and Todd Blair with electronics and lighting – it is important that each artist be able to work in his respective area of expertise within the project site. To enable the artists to create a more cohesive approach, it is recommended that additional funds be made available. ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$ 35,000 $215,000

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DRAFT LAKESIDE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS Security Gates PROJECT AREA:

$ 70,000

Lake Merritt, Bellevue Avenue

ORIGINAL INTENT The original intent of this project was to provide $60,000 to fund an artist(s) to create two replacement entry gates into the gardens. Funding was contingent on the City’s ability to allocate funds to construct the adjoining fence. RECOMMENDATION A visit to the Gardens revealed that the fence is in good condition and does not need to be replaced. However, the chain-link is unsightly and does need to be mitigated. Since one of the entry gates is larger than the other, it is recommended that $10,000 be added to the current budget of $60,000. It is further recommended that funding for this project be contingent upon the collaborative development between Public Art staff, Lakeside Park Garden Center volunteers, Parks & Recreation staff, and the selected artist of a satisfactory plan to increase the plantings along the fence to improve its appearance and otherwise treat the fence in aesthetic support of the gates and gardens, and assurance of adequate funding and labor to carry out the plan ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$10,000 $60,000

SNOW PARK (20th Street Gateway) Harrison Street and Lakeside Drive PROJECT AREA:

$ 570,000

Lake Merritt

ORIGINAL INTENT The original intent was to provide a significant amount of funding at $660,000 to create a large-scale artwork at this important intersection. RECOMMENDATION Because of the importance of this site and its connection to Lake Merritt, it is recommended that funds be reserved for artwork at this intersection at the maximum amount available. ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$ 70,000 $500,000

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DRAFT CHANNEL Natural Habitat, Swale, and Channel PROJECT AREAS: Project Designer: Project Artists:

$364,100

Lake Merritt 10th Street Reconstruction & 7th Street Reconstruction Sasaki Associates, Inc. Lewis de Soto and John Roloff

ORIGINAL INTENT The original intent of this project was to engage an artist(s) to participate in the overall planning process for the entire Channel in collaboration with the other project designers, planners and City staff. The design team artist(s) would receive up to $245,000 in artist fees over the life of the project, beginning with $150,000 for the first phase. CURRENT STATUS Artists Lewis de Soto and John Roloff have developed a range of artworks for installation throughout the Channel. Due to a variety of circumstances, there has been little collaboration between the artists and the designers for the project. Much of what the artists have proposed does not require integration into the construction documents beyond preparation of the site to receive the artwork. RECOMMENDATION To enable funding of select artworks designed by the artists, it is recommended that funds initially allocated for artist fees be reallocated for the fabrication and installation of artwork. ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$ 89,100 $275,000

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DRAFT ESTUARY PARK OVERLOOK PROJECT AREA: Project Designer:

$375,000

Oakland Estuary Hood Design

ORIGINAL INTENT The original intent for this project, which remains unchanged, is to commission a distinctive, highprofile artwork in Estuary Park to serve as a landmark celebrating the significant linkage between the Lake Merritt Channel and the Oakland Estuary. A budget of $510,000 was originally identified for the commission and artist selection process. RECOMMENDATION Due to the restrictions on available funding, it is recommended that funds be allocated at the maximum amount available. PROPOSAL FEES* 5 finalists @ $5,000

$ 25,000

ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$ 50,000 $325,000

*These costs are accounted for in the 10% set-aside for administration.

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DRAFT New Projects

BELLEVUE AVENUE GREENSPACE: EARTHWORK PROJECT AREA:

$200,000

Lake Merritt, Lakeside Park

DESCRIPTION In 1991, Alex Champion (Philo, CA) created Earthmaze, a labyrinth adjacent to the Lake Merritt trail opposite the corner of Staten and Bellevue avenues overlooking the Lake Merritt Wildlife Refuge. As a popular destination for pedestrians using the trail, the labyrinth was a point of interest that provided a welcome respite and opportunity to observe the resident and migratory waterfowl. However, the labyrinth has deteriorated over the years. This point on the trail is frequented by runners, walkers and families with young children. Nearby attractions include a children’s playground, bird sanctuary, Rotary Nature Center, Junior Center of Art & Science, and public gardens. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that funds be used to clear out the remains of the old labyrinth and commission an artist to create a new, meditative earthwork in the same area. This project complements the other Measure DD public art initiatives with its exclusive focus on using the earth as an artform. ARTIST SELECTION This artwork requires a professional artist with expertise in earth forms and labyrinths. Artists will be nominated from throughout the United States and invited to submit qualifications. A short-list of up to five finalists will be identified and interviewed. The selected artist will enter into a contract with the City for design, fabrication, and installation of the artwork. ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$ 30,000 $170,000

EAST OAKLAND AQUATIC, SPORTS & RECREATION FACILITY PROJECT AREA:

$150,000

Ira Jenkins Park

DESCRIPTION A new 150,000 square foot sports and recreation complex at the Ira Jenkins Park in East Oakland is being planned. Amenities would include swimming pools, basketball courts, running track, fitness center, teen facilities, daycare center and multi-purpose meeting rooms. Located in the heart of a residential neighborhood, the building site is within close proximity to major public facilities including the Brookfield Senior Center, Brookfield Library, and Brookfield Elementary School.

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DRAFT RECOMMENDATION Because the facility is located in a residential neighborhood, it is important that the artwork be reflective of the community as opposed to the activities in the facility. For access to residents and users alike, is recommended that an artist be commissioned to create an artwork outside the facility. ARTIST SELECTION Design and installation of the artwork will need to be coordinated with the design and construction of the facility. An open competition will be conducted for artists from the Bay Area. Up to five (5) finalists will be selected to develop site-specific artwork proposals. PROPOSAL FEES* 5 finalists @ $1,500

$ 7,500

ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$ 20,000 $130,000

*These costs are accounted for in the 10% set-aside for administration. CREEK NODES: INTERPRETIVE MARKERS PROJECT AREA:

$ 72,000

Lake Merritt

DESCRIPTION Lake Merritt was part of the original Oakland estuary system. Its bay connection and the street corridors leading into it once played a major role in the function of this ecosystem. Creeks that once visibly flowed into Lake Merritt are the basis for special gateway nodes identified in the Lake Merritt Park Master Plan (July 2002). They typically occur at major intersections as the entry point of various neighborhood enclaves. RECOMMENDATION To enhance the historic, cultural, aesthetic and interpretive potential of Lake Merritt and draw attention to the often-overlooked creeks system, it is recommended that funds -- $72,000 available through Creeks Restoration and $20,000 from Lake Merritt -- be used to commission an artist to create a series of interpretive markers that identify the location of creek corridors into the lake. Encompassing the pedestrian realm of the park as well as the surrounding street, each marker invites discovery of the next while building watershed awareness. ARTIST SELECTION An open competition will be conducted for artists from the Bay Area. Up to five (5) finalists will be selected to develop site-specific artwork proposals. PROPOSAL FEES* 5 finalists @ $1,000

$ 5,000

ARTIST FEE: ARTWORK:

$ 18,000 $ 74,000

*These costs are accounted for in the 10% set-aside for administration. 8

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DRAFT ADDENDUM A OCTOBER 2005 Project Summary Lake Merritt 20th Street Gateway (at Harrison Street and Lakeside Drive)

$ 550,000

Fairyland Children’s Play Tunnel

$

75,000

Lakeside Demonstration Gardens Entry Gates

$

60,000

Metal Rail Work & Retaining Wall Art Design (Lake Merritt 12th Street Reconstruction)

$ 150,000

Channel Channel Design Team Collaboration (Natural Habitat, Swale, Channel)

$ 150,000

Estuary Estuary Park Overlook (west end of Oakland Waterfront Trail) AND Tidewater Park Overlook (east end of Oakland Waterfront Trail)

1,146,425

Trail Marker and Kiosk Design Collaboration Design (Mildred Howard and Walter Hood)

$

15,000

Union Point Park Sculpture (Ned Kahn)

$

73,575

View Platform (66th Avenue and Damon Slough)

$ 225,000

Other Studio One Sculpture (Cork Marcheschi)

$ 120,000

SUB-TOTAL

$ 2,565,000

Direct Staff Costs (10% of available funding)

$ 285,000

GRAND TOTAL

$ 2,850,000

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