Title
Artist Contract for Laveen Heritage Park Public Art Project (Ordinance S-51317)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract, and amendments as necessary, with Dixie Friend Gay for an amount not to exceed $460,000 to design, fabricate and install of artwork for the Laveen Heritage Park Public Art Project. This also requests authorization to enter into a contract, and amendments as necessary, to the selected alternate, DiBari & Associates, only if Dixie Friend Gay is not able to complete the project. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-29 Public Art Plan includes funding for artwork to be located at Laveen Heritage Park, currently under construction on 14.17 acres of land at 6925 W. Meadows Loop. The recommended artist, Dixie Friend Gay, will work with the project design team and the Parks and Recreation Department to design an iconic work of art to be installed within the butterfly garden of the park.
On May 12, 2023, a selection panel reviewed 214 applicants from artists who responded to a City-issued Request for Qualifications for the Pre-Qualified Artists Roster for City Parks. An artist selection panel identified 43 artists to be included in the Roster. The Laveen Heritage Park Public Art Project is one of several projects that utilized this Roster to select an artist and alternate.
The artist selection panel for the Laveen Heritage Park Public Art Project included: Kenia Cerna, District 7 resident and college student; Rex Gulbranson, retired art administrator; and Joe Diaz, City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Deputy Director. The panel reviewed the applications over a two-week period, then met on July 17, 2024 to collectively review, discuss, and vote to recommend an artist and alternate for the project. The panel recommended Dixie Friend Gay as the artist and DiBari & Associates as the alternate for this project.
Financial Impact
The Laveen Heritage Park Public Art Project is one of 48 projects in the FY 2024-29 Public Art Plan that City Council approved on July 1, 2024. The proposed $460,000 budget will cover all costs related to the design, fabrication, and installation of the artwork. Additional funding in the Plan for this project covers staff time, contingency, and administrative costs. Funds are available in the department’s Capital Improvement Budget using Percent-for-Art funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended this item for approval on August 13, 2024, by a vote of 8-0 and two abstentions. The Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee reviewed and approved this item at its September 11, 2024 meeting, by a vote of 3-0.
Location
6925 W Meadows Loop East, Laveen, AZ.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Arts and Culture Department.