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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/21/1998, C9 - ALLOCATION OF ART IN PUBLIC PLACES FUNDING TO THE MISSION PLAZA EXPANSION PROJECT (SAN LUIS OBISPO CREEK WALK) councit . 7-21-tib j ac,Enaa Repout CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative Officer Prepared By: Wendy George,Assistant to the City Administrative Officer SUBJECT: ALLOCATION OF ART IN PUBLIC PLACES FUNDING TO THE MISSION PLAZA EXPANSION PROJECT (SAN LUIS OBISPO CREEK WALK) CAO RECOMMENDATION 1) Allocate $3,600 of Art-in Lieu funds generated as a result of new Capital Improvement Projects in the 1998-99 budget to the Mission Plaza Expansion Project (San Luis Obispo Creek Walk). 2) Reallocate $14,000 of 1997-99 Art-in-Lieu funds from the Sinsheimer Park Improvements Project to the Mission Plaza Expansion Project(San Luis Obispo Creek Walk). DISCUSSION Background As part of the 1995-97 Financial Plan, the Council approved fimding for design and construction of an extension of Mission Plaza along the creek between Broad and Nipomo Streets on the west side of the creek. This project has been referred to as "The Mission Plaza Expansion", although it will ultimately be named"San Luis Obispo Creek Walk". The project manager and design consultant have scheduled several public meetings to take input on what should be included in the design of the Creek Walk. High among the priorities mentioned was public art. Mission Plaza is the focus of the City's downtown and is used and appreciated by members of the community and visitors on a daily basis. Beyond the Plaza, an existing two-level walkway extends from Broad to Nipomo Streets on the east side of the creek, but is not heavily used due mostly to its unappealing and stark aspect. Community members felt that by including public art on both the existing walkway and the new walling and park areas to be developed on the other side of the creek,the public will be enticed to make good use of the new Creek Walk. Unfortunately, funding for the Creek Walk project is only$300,000. Under the terms of the City's adopted Art in Public Places Policy,this funding generates a one percent contribution toward public art of only $3,000. With all the opportunities for public art that could be included as part of the Creek Walk, such as benches, railings, entry features, murals and sculptures, this funding level is extremely inadequate. Council Agenda Report Allocation of Public Art Funding Page 2 Allocation of 1998-99 Art-in-Lieu Funds At its June 16, 1998,meeting,the City Council approved new capital improvement projects totaling approximately$360,000. Based on that total,a one percent contribution of$3,600 will be placed in the Art-in-Lieu fund to be used for public art at a location to be determined by the Council. Art-in- Lieu funds are those generated by capital projects which are required to make a contribution toward public art, but are unable to accommodate art in the actual project itself. Staff recommends that, based on the high visibility and prospective use of the Creek Walls, along with the community's expressed interest in including public art in the Creek Walk design, the $3,600 be allocated to the San Luis Obispo Creek Walk Project. Reallocation of Public Art Funds from Sinsheimer Park Improvement Proiect At its October 21, 1997, meeting, the Council approved allocating Art-in-Lieu funds toward two projects, improvements at Mitchell Park and improvements at Sinsheimer Park The types of improvements being completed at Sinsheimer Park during 1997-99 include replacing bleacher seats, installing fabric on the stadium fence, replacing the sound system, landscaping the stadium slopes and improving the parking lot through repaving, curbs and lighting. None of these improvements particularly lend themselves to the inclusion of public art. After reconsidering the allocation of Art-in-Lieu fiords to the current phase of the Sinsheimer Park improvements, staff believes that they could be put to better use if they were reallocated to the San Luis Obispo Creek Walk project instead. CONCURRENCES The Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments both concur with this recommendation. FISCAL EMPACT No additional funding would be required by this Council Action. The $3,600 in the Art-in-Lieu account generated by the new capital improvement projects would be transferred to the Mission Plaza Expansion Project(San Luis Obispo Creek Walk). The Council did not specify how the total 1997-99 Art-in Lieu Funds were to be divided between the Mitchell Park and Sinsheimer Park projects. Staff recommends that $14,000 of the total $26,900 be allocated to the Mission Plaza Expansion Project (San Luis Obispo Creek Walk). The remaining $12,900 would continue to be allocated to the Mitchell Park project. ALTERNATIVE 1) Council could retain the allocation of Art-in-Lieu funding to the Sinsheimer Park improvement project 2) Council could reallocate a smaller portion of the $26,900 to the Creek Walk and retain a larger portion for Mitchell Park. �y z