HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/04/16 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Study Session
April 16, 2007
8:30 PM
Council Chambers
Discussion Items
Approximate
Times
1. 8:30 pm 36th Street Public Art Project
2. 9:15 pm Wireless Update
10:00 p.m. Adjourn
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St. Louis Park City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 041607 - 1 - 36th Street Public Art Program
Page 1
1. 36th Street Corridor Public Art
Program
Parks & Recreation / Community Development
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
Staff desires to update the City Council on the status of the selection of artists for the W. 36th
Street public art projects. This will include a presentation of the public art concepts being
proposed by the recommended artists. Staff desires Council feedback on the public art concepts
being considered.
BACKGROUND:
In September 2006, staff outlined for Council a process to select artists and the actual public art
for the W. 36th Street corridor. Staff members from Community Development and Parks &
Recreation have been working with Jack Becker of FORCAST Public Artworks to select artists.
FORCAST Public Artworks sent out a Request for Proposal for artists in three different
categories:
Category 1 is the 36th Street and Wooddale plaza area with a budget of $50,000-70,000;
Category 2 is the Hoigaards Village site near the future storm water area with a budget of
$55,000-$75,000; and
Category 3 includes a variety of ideas for the streetscape enhancements with a budget of
$100,000-$120,000.
ARTIST REVIEW:
On January 31, 2007 a committee made up of the developers (Rottlund and Hoigaard Village),
staff, a neighborhood resident, landscape architect, Friends of the Arts representative, and a
Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission member reviewed the references and ideas submitted
by the artists in all three categories. There were three artists chosen for each category noted
above. These artists were then asked to submit their ideas for public art. Each of the artists was
given a small stipend to develop an idea of what they would propose and then present that idea to
the committee in March.
Overall, FORCAST Public Artworks and City staff were very impressed with the ideas presented
from the artists. Our past work with public art at Excelsior and Grand, Louisiana Oaks Park, and
our other recent park buildings has generated a lot of energy and enthusiasm by artists for
working in St. Louis Park.
On March 22, the selected artists presented their ideas for public art in each of the three
categories to the committee. The committee chose one artist in each category to recommend to
the City Council.
NEXT STEPS:
The committee recommends that City staff work in cooperation with FORCAST Public
Artworks to contract with each of the 3 artists for the design and development phase of each of
the three areas. We want to be sure that each artist can do the work within the budget. Each artist
also needs to spend some time thinking about material selection and cost, maintenance costs,
wind resistance, installation methods and cost, and time needed to construct the art. There are
also some issues to discuss with the City and developers landscape architects relative to how the
art fits into the existing plaza areas and other nearby landscape.
St. Louis Park City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 041607 - 1 - 36th Street Public Art Program
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City Staff, Jack Becker and representatives from the committee will be present at the Study
Session following the council meeting on April 16 to present the selected art and to explain the
inspiration behind each of the pieces.
Prepared by: Cindy Walsh, Director of Parks and Recreation
Reviewed by: Meg McMonigal, Community Development Supervisor
Kevin Locke, Director of Community Development
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager