Title
Artist Construction and Installation Contract for North 32nd Street Drought Pipeline and Neighborhood Improvements Public Art Project (Ordinance S-50413)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with Bobby Zokaites for an amount not to exceed $745,500 for the fabrication and installation of four distinct artworks as part of streetscape enhancements for the North 32nd Street Drought Pipeline and Neighborhood Improvements Project from Cheryl Drive to Cholla Street in North Phoenix. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-28 Public Art Plan includes a project to commission an artist to work with Street Transportation, Water Services and the local community to enhance the appearance of North 32nd Street between Cheryl Drive and Cholla Street along the Drought Pipeline pedestrian corridor in North Phoenix. The artist's final design integrates artwork into the streetscape including a retaining wall, a shade structure, an illuminated sculpture and benches to enhance the overall pedestrian experience throughout the site.
On Jan. 28, 2022, the selection panel reviewed 86 applicants who responded to the City'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 five-person selection committee included Ruri Yampolsky, Waterfront Program Manager, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture; Rick Ross, Dean of Students, Shadow Mountain High School; Wylwyn Reyes, Public Art Project Manager, Arts Foundation of Tucson and Southern Arizona; Allison Barnett, community representative; and John Dickson, Civil Engineer and North 32nd Street Project Manager, City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department.
The project consists of two phases: the design phase, and the fabrication and installation phase. The Office of Arts and Culture is seeking recommendation to enter into contract for the second phase.
Financial Impact
The North 32nd Street Drought Pipeline and Neighborhood Improvements public art project is one of 42 projects in the FY 2023-28 Public Art Plan that the City Council approved on July 3, 2023. The $745,500 artwork budget covers all costs related to the fabrication and installation of the artwork. Funds are available in the Public Art Capital Improvement Program Budget using Water and Street Transportation percent-for-art funding.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee reviewed and approved this item at its Nov. 8, 2023 meeting.
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended this item for approval on Oct. 10, 2023, by a vote of 14-0, noting one absent and one abstention.
Phoenix City Council approved the design phase of the project:
Artist Design Contract for the North 32nd Street Improvements Public Art Project 156321(Ordinance S-48596) on May 11, 2022.
The Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee recommended approval of the design phase of the project at its April 6, 2022 meeting.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Office of Arts and Culture.