Title
Artist Design and Construction Oversight Contract for The 35th Avenue/Grand Avenue Overpass Public Art Project (Ordinance S-52349) - Districts 4 & 5
Description
Request for the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to enter into a contract, and amendments as necessary, with Mary Lucking, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for design and construction oversight of artwork for the 35th Avenue/Grand Avenue Overpass Public Art Project. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-30 Public Art Plan includes funding for the 35th Avenue/Grand Avenue Overpass Public Art Project as one of its initiatives. In partnership with the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture is commissioning an artist to design artwork for the bridge barriers and/or fences of two overpasses along Grand Avenue. The bridges will span Indian School Road and 35th Avenue.
The artist will be responsible for designing artwork that creates both a functional and visually impactful element within the overall infrastructure. The artwork will act as a visual gateway to the surrounding communities, marking the entry to the Alhambra and Maryvale neighborhoods and contributing to the identity of the Grand Avenue corridor. This project is on a fast-tracked timeline, with completion of the bridge design anticipated by the end of 2025. The artist will also provide oversight during the fabrication, installation, and construction of the final artwork design.
The pool of artists for this opportunity included 17 local and national artists/artist teams who responded to recent Requests for Qualifications of a similar scope and scale issued in the last FY 2024-25.
The artist selection panel for this project included: Myesha Harris, Street Transportation Department, Special Projects Administrator; John Hucko, ADOT, Senior Landscape Architect; and Gina Amato, Arts Professional, Scottsdale Public Art. The panel reviewed applications over a two-week period and met on September 9, 2025, to review, discuss, and vote to recommend an artist and an alternate artist. The panel recommended Mary Lucking as the project artist and Daniel Mayer as the alternate for this project.
Financial Impaci
The cost associated with this agreement is $100,000. The approved Art Plan includes Street Transportation Department CIP funds for this project.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and approved this item, 11-0, at its September 16, 2025, meeting.
Location
35th Avenue/Grand Avenue Overpass
Council Districts: 4 and 5
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Inger Erickson, Deputy City Manager David Mathews, and the Street Transportation and Arts and Culture departments.