Title
Artist Design Contract for Cortez Park Well Site and Arizona Canal Public Art Project (Ordinance S-47110)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with artist John Randall Nelson to work with the City project team to enhance the design of walls, fences and landscaping for the Cortez Park ASR Well 317, at 35th Avenue and the Arizona Canal. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. This agreement will not exceed $50,000.
Report
Summary
The Cortez Park Well Site and Arizona Canal is one of 33 projects in the Fiscal Year 2020-25 Public Art Project Plan that City Council approved on Sept. 16, 2020. The Art Plan includes $158,950 for this project, to commission an artist to design site enhancements to improve the security and appearance of Cortez Park ASR Well site and its surroundings. The artist would work with the community, the Water Services and other City departments to develop the design.
On Jan. 13, 2020, a five-person artist selection panel recommended John Randall Nelson (AZ) and four other finalists after reviewing a pool of 78 artists who had responded to a City-issued Request for Qualifications. In addition to Mr. Nelson, the finalists included: Steven Siegel (NY), Debbie Dickinson (WA), George Bates (NY), and Pete Goldlust (OR). On Feb. 14, 2020, the panel reviewed proposals from and interviewed the five finalists before recommending that Mr. Nelson be contracted for this project. The panel based its decision on Mr. Nelson's concept for incorporating the history of the site (formerly the location of a Zanjero house) in his design, and his ability to work well with the community in carrying out the work.
The selection panel included: Jennifer Gill, Public Art Project Manager, Scottsdale Arts; Rachel Zebro, Assistant Curator of Phoenix Art Museum; Lennee Eller, Public Art Program Director, City of Sacramento; Aaron LaRoque, Phoenix Water Services Department; and Jeff Spellman and Cindy Jones, community representatives. Cynthia Brown (Parks and Recreation Department) and Fernando Felix (Neighborhood Services Department) served as panel advisers.
Financial Impact
The proposed $50,000 design contract will cover all costs related to the artist's working with City staff and project consultants to develop the design concept and construction documents for this project. The remaining project funds will be used for project construction and administration. Additional funds are expected to be requested for project construction once the design is complete. The percent-for-art funds for this project come from the Water Services Department Capital Improvement Program and are budgeted in the Public Art Plan Capital Improvement Program.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended this item at its March 10, 2020 meeting.
Location
Near 35th Avenue and Dunlap Avenue
Council District: 1
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Arts and Culture.