Title
Artist Design Contract for North 32nd Street Improvement Public Art Project
Description
This report requests the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of a contract with artist Bobby Zokaites for an amount not to exceed $50,000 to work with the City project team to design public art streetscape enhancements for the North 32nd Street Improvements Project along the Pedestrian Corridor from Cheryl Drive to Cholla Street in North Phoenix.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year 2021-26 Public Art Project Plan includes a project to commission an artist to work with the community and the Streets Transportation and Water Services departments to enhance the design of North 32nd Street between Cheryl Drive and Cholla Street along the Drought Pipeline corridor.
On Jan. 28, 2022, a five-person artist selection panel recommended Mr. Zokaites after reviewing a pool of 86 applicants who had responded to the project's Request for Qualifications. Mr. Zokaites was recommended based on his experience in creating impactful public art projects, his demonstrated ability to involve the community in meaningful ways, and his potential to create a site-specific concept for this community.
The selection panel included John Dickson, Civil Engineer and North 32nd Street Project Manager, City of Phoenix Streets Transportation Department; Ruri Yampolski, Waterfront Program Art Manager, City of Seattle; Allison Barnett, North 32nd Street Neighborhood Association; Wylwyn Reyes, Public Art Project Manager, Arts Foundation of Tucson and Southern Arizona; and Rick Ross, Dean of Students, Shadow Mountain High School.
Financial Impact
The North 32nd Street Improvements Project is one of the 40 projects in the Fiscal Year 2021-26 Public Art Project Plan that City Council approved on June 23, 2021. The Art Plan includes $574,161 for this project. The proposed $50,000 design contract will cover all costs related to the artist working with City staff, Project Engineering and Design Consultants, and the Office of Arts and Culture to produce a complete and buildable design. It will also include any additional work to engage the community during the design phase of the project. The percent-for-art funds for this project come from the Streets Transportation Department Capital Improvement Program and Water Services Department Capital Improvement Program.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended approval of this item at its March 8, 2022 meeting.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.