Title
Artist Design Contract for Drought Pipeline Walls Public Art Project (Ordinance S-47738)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with Arizona artist Mary Shindell to work with a Water Services Department engineering team to design two walls being built as a part of the Drought Pipeline Relocation Project. The agreement value will not exceed $65,000. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year 2020-25 Public Art Project Plan includes the "North 32nd Street and Drought Pipeline Improvement" project, to enhance the design of areas and facilities involved in the extension of a new drought pipeline, from the 24th Street Water Treatment Plant into North Phoenix. The Drought Pipeline Improvement project is expected to include the wall designs covered under this requested agreement, and a second, future project to enhance 32nd Street north of Shea Boulevard.
On April 1, 2021, a four-person artist selection panel recommended Mary Shindell after reviewing a pool of 34 artists who had responded to a City-issued Request for Qualifications. The panel based its decision on Ms. Shindell's ability to work well with the community and design teams, her expertise in creating exemplary works of public art with highly durable materials, and her potential to design walls that suit the needs of the community and the site.
The artist will be designing a 73-foot section of sound wall facing 20th Street at Northview Avenue, and a 400-foot security wall for an expanded section of the 24th Street Water Treatment Plant, along Maryland Avenue near 22nd Street. The walls are expected to be ten feet tall.
The selection panel included M. B. Finnerty, Public Art Program Manager for Valley Metro; Mia B. Adams, artist; Bill Muster, community representative; and Clayton Freed, Phoenix Water Services Department.
Financial Impact
The North 32nd Street and Drought Pipeline Neighborhood Enhancements is one of the 33 projects in the Fiscal Year 2020-25 Public Art Project Plan that City Council approved on Sept. 16, 2020. The Art Plan includes $515,000 for this project. The proposed $65,000 design contract will cover all costs related to the artist working with City staff and the project engineering team to develop the design and construction documents for the walls. Funds for project construction would be requested once the design phase is completed successfully. The percent-for-art funds for this project come from the Water Services Department Capital Improvement Program.
Location
20th Street and Northview Avenue, 22nd Street and Maryland Avenue, and 32nd Street north of Shea Boulevard
Council Districts: 2, 3 and 6
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission recommended this item for approval on April 13, 2021, by a vote of 12-0. The Land Use and Livability Subcommittee recommended this item for approval on May 19, 2021, by a vote of 3-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Office of Arts and Culture.