HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/2005, BUS 1 - PUBLIC ART SELECTION FOR THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC FREIGHT WAREHOUSE ROUND-ABOUT councit Wn,Dar
j AgenoA Report 1mm
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO {`
FROM: Wendy George, ACAO
Prepared By: Betsy Kiser DeJamette, Assistant to the CAO ({K
SUBJECT: PUBLIC ART SELECTION FOR THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC FREIGHT
WAREHOUSE ROUND-ABOUT
CAO RECOMMENDATION
As recommended by the Public Art .Jury, the Cultural Heritage Committee (CHC) and the
Architectural Review Commission (ARC), approve the public art selection for the Southern
Pacific Freight Warehouse Round-about.
DISCUSSION
Background
On January 22, 2002, the City Council approved $19,000 in public art funding for the Southern
Pacific Freight Warehouse round-about. Per public art policy and procedures, staff released a
Request for Proposals (RFP) on August 4, 2004, which resulted in just a single proposal to
design and create an exterior piece of art for the round-about. Subsequent to the poor response,
staff returned to the City Council on October 19, 2004 with a request for an additional allocation
of$6,000 for the piece and approval to reissue the RFP. The second RFP, released on October
20, 2004,resulted in four proposals.
Public Art Jury Review
A public art jury consisting of Robert Pelfrey, Cuesta College art professor, Arnold Jonas,
Railroad Museum member, Paula Carr, Cultural Heritage committee member, Ron Clarke,
Historical Society director, and Steve Plowman, artist, convened on July 9, 2002 to judge the
merits of the proposals using the Guidelines for Public Art. The jury evaluated the projects for:
1. Artistic excellence.
2. Appropriateness of scale, form, material, content and design relative to the
environment.
3. Relationship to the social, cultural and historical identity of the building.
4. Appropriateness of materials relative to structural and surface integrity, protection
against theft, vandalism,public safety and weathering.
5. Ease of maintenance.
6. Appropriateness of proposed method of installation of artwork, and safety and
structural factors involved in installation.
The jury unanimously selected one proposal for final review and on December 15, 2004, held an
interview with local artist Jim Trask to evaluatehis proposal in greater detail. The jury
ultimately recommended that the piece be forwarded to the CHC, the ARC and City Council for
acceptance. A summary of the jury's discussion is attached. (Attachment 1)
Public Art Selection for Southern Pacific Freight Warehouse Round-about Page 2
Project Description
The artwork, entitled Icons of an Era, is to be located within the traffic roundabout in front of the
historic Freight Warehouse and consists of sculpted icons representing a timeline of railroad
developments within the City. (Attachment 2). It is designed to have a three-dimensional
character and focus on historical events that have occurred in the Railroad District from 1874
through the 1957 change of steam to diesel engines. The icons are mounted on railroad ties that
form a slight "S" curve, wall-like background, anchored on a ground-level base of granite
railroad ballast. The proposed colors incorporate the red-orange colors of the Railroad District,
and the traditional yellow and brown colors of Southern Pacific. (Attachment 3)
Commission Review
Cultural Heritage Committee. Per the public art policy, artwork proposed for areas of high
historical sensitivity shall be reviewed by the CHC. On January 24, 2005, the CHC approved
Icons of an Era for the Freight Warehouse round-about, finding that the proposed public art fits
with the Railroad Historical District. (Attachment 4)
Architectural Review Commission. On February 24, 2005, the ARC reviewed the art proposal
for consistency with the established Guidelines for Public Art. At the meeting, the artist
presented a maquette to the Commission and provided an explanation on the lighting and
materials proposed for the piece. On a unanimous vote of 7-0, the ARC found that the proposed
art project met the City's guidelines. (Attachment 5)
FISCAL IMPACT
Based on the funding mechanism outlined in the Visual Arts in Public Places Program requiring
a I% contribution from all eligible City capital improvement projects, the City Council allocated
$19,000 in the 2001-03 Financial Plan for the Freight Warehouse Round-about public art project.
An additional $6,000 was-allocated two years later. Since the City withholds $1,000 for ancillary
expenses associated with the project (stipends, dedication ceremonies; etc.), $24,000 is available
for the production of Icons of an Era.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could choose not to accept the proposed art design and direct staff to repeat the
Request for Proposal process. Staff does not recommend this alternative due to 1) the fact that
the RFP was released twice already; 2) the amount of effort and review that went into the
selection of the proposed piece; and 3)the intrinsic quality of the work selected.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Minutes from the Public Art Jury review.
2. Vicinity Map
3. Artist's project description and illustrations.
4. Minutes from the January 24, 2005 CHC meeting.
5. Minutes from the February 22, 2005 ARC meeting.
GAProjects&Progmms\Public Art\Current Projects\Railmad Museum\CAR-Railroad Museum 4505.I
DOC
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MOMENT 9
memorandum
May 12, 1999
TO: Buzz Kalkowski, City Planner
FROM: Betsy Kiser, Principal Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: JURY REVIEW OF FREIGHT WAREHOUSE PUBLIC ART
PROPOSAL
On Wednesday, December 15, 2004, a public all jury met to review four(4) proposals submitted
in response to a Request for Proposals for public art for the Freight Warehouse Round-About.
The jury consisted of Robert Pelfrey, Cuesta College art professor, Arnold Jonas, Railroad
Museum member, Paula Carr, Cultural Heritage Committee member, Ron Clarke, Historical
Society director, and Steve Plowman, artist. Using the City's Guidelines for Public Art
(Attachment 1), the jury evaluated the four proposals and selected a single piece by artist Jim
Trask for further review.
On Thursday, January 13, 2005, the jury met with the artist to discuss the proposal in greater
detail. At this review, the artist provided a maquette of the piece, with sample construction
materials and color scheme. The jury once again evaluated the artwork using the Guidelines for
Public Art, ultimately recommending that the piece be forwarded to the Cultural Heritage
Committee, the Architectural Review Committee and City Council for acceptance. A summary of
the jury's discussion follows:
1. Evaluation of artistic excellence. The jury unanimously recommended the piece for
its artistic excellence.
2. Appropriateness of scale,form, material, content and design relative to the immediate
and general neighborhoods. The jury felt the piece was very appropriate to the
immediate area, although suggested that a) the scale of the icons be reduced slightly
to provide more visibility to the backdrop (train track) and b) the artist incorporate
surface textures and additional negative space into the design of the icons. The jury
also expressed a desire to see some landscaping spared on the perimeter of the round-
about.
3. Relationship to the social, cultural and historical identity of the neighborhood. The
jury felt that the piece did an excellent job of meeting this criteria, with its railroad
theme, use of natural materials, and selection of icons representative of the railroad
era. The jury felt the piece supported and was supported by, other nearby land uses.
4. Appropriateness of materials in regards to structural and surface integrity, protection
against theft, vandalism, public safety and weathering. The jury agreed that the
t . 3
Memo—Jury Review of Freight Warehouse Public Art page
fTACHO 9
materials selected for the piece were very appropriate for the site (aluminum, metal,
treated railroad ties, wood, rock) and the method used to integrate the piece (concrete
footings and base, railroad nails, glues, supports) were sufficient to deter vandalism.
S. Appropriateness of proposed method of installation of artwork, and safety and
structural factors involved in installation. See#4 above. The jury was confident that
the proposed installation method and structural factors were appropriate and adequate.
6. Ease of maintenance. The lighting proposed for the piece will require City staff to
change light bulbs every 12,000 hours. The nature of the materials lend themselves to
low maintenance requirements.
The artist expressed concern with the placement of the existing directional signs on the round-
about and the negative impact these signs will have on the aesthetics of the piece. He requested
that staff evaluate the possibility of removing the signs and replacing them with graphics placed
on the asphalt of the roadway.
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h7ACNMENT2
Exhibit F
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PUBLIC ART
1940 Santa Barbara Street
Southern Paeitic Freight Warehouse Round-About
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-- ATTACHMENT 3
Approach to Project
Design criteria:
■ Artwork to be viewed by pedestrians on the sidewalk,
thirty feet away
■ Artwork to be viewed by bicyclists and other vehicles from
approximately twenty feet,traveling at 5 .mph
■ Daylight and nightime visibility required
■ Existing landscape trees "frame" artwork
■ Artwork to be constructed from durable, low-maintenance
materials and reflect railroad vernacular
■ Artwork to reflect the historical significance of the location
as well as the present-day modes of travel
■ Artwork to be graphically simple for passing viewers to
comprehend
Design elements:
. Materials of construction may include, but not limited to,
RR ties, steel plate, heavy bolts & nuts, railroad signage,
concrete, granite ballast, and iron artifacts.
■ The two existing Silk Floss Trees must be incorporated
into the overall design and compliment the artwork.
■ Nightime viewing could be accomplished with low-voltage
lighting from the ground or backlighting from behind
certain physical features.
■ Icons represent the influences of railroading from start to
present day, simplified for passing viewer's interpretation.
1— CP
ATTACHMENT 3
Design Solution:
■ Create a vertical wall of RR ties or other clean timbers to
serve as a backdrop for graphics. The ties would form a
slight "S" curve, comfortably located visually between the
two trees and orientated towards the passing viewer,
approximately 15 feet long, each side presenting graphics
to the on coming traffic. Timbers would be supported with
heavy bolts, steel plates, and have no direct contact with
the soil, but would be surrounded by the typical granite
railway ballast. To complete the "planting" an old
switching mechanism or signaling device could be located
in concrete between the wall and the existing.curb.
■ Mount the powder-coated silhouette "time-line" of icons
on both sides of the wall, spacing them off the wall
approximately 4" to allow for back lighting with low
voltage lighting or fiber optics. Colors would be the cad
red, red-orange already established for the Historic
District. Any other color needs would be the traditional
Southern Pacific yellow or brown.
■ Establish a secured electrical junction box for a timer, and
a transformer or illuminator tied to the electrical supply,
possibly back at the warehouse structure.
■ All materials and methods of construction have been used
by this contractor or are within the realm as specified
under a Landscape Contractor's C-27 License.
RTTRCHM04 3
ICONS OF AN ERA
1874 — Influences of the narrow-gauge
railway, bringing railroading to the
central coast with a link to San Luis
Obispo.
1894 — Southern Pacific RR emerges and
begins developing a link for commerce
north and south. Steam driven
locomotives are the norm.
1901 A complete rail connection
between San Francisco & Los.Angeles is
completed for freight and passengers.
California now has an efficient mode of
transport for passengers and freight.
1923 — A round-house, power house,
machine shop and turntable is built in
San Luis Obispo to provide maintenance
on as many as twenty locomotives at a
time.
-2
ATTACHMENT 3
1940 — A 65,000 gallon wood water tank
is constructed in San Luis Obispo to
9
provide water for up to 10 steam
locomotives daily.
1957 — The steam era ends. The
complete dieselization of the Califortua
Coastal route is accomplished even
though other routes had been converted
earlier.
1970 forward — Icons to be developed
such as pesdestrian foot bridge, bicycle
influence,, etc.
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CHC Meeting Minutes, January 24, 2005 MACHMEW 4
Page 2
Vice-Chairperson Wheeler, the Committee determined that the as-built c)ianges are not
consistent with the Historic Preservation Program, with the Secretary of the erior's Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and with the Mills Act Contract hich applies to this
property, and will impact the historical character of the Master List operty, subject to the
findings that:
1. The removal of original windows and replacement with ne b dows adversely affects the
building's historic character because the replacement wind s do not substantially match the
original windows in terms of materials and design; and
2. The window changes do not conform to the provisi s of the Mills Act Contract which apply
to this property.
The Committee determined that a sub-committe of two CHC members and staff meet with the
applicants to approve the design and materi of new replacement windows which will more
closely match the original windows.
2) On a motion .by Committee mem r Crotser, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Wheeler, the
Committee called for the applicants work with staff to develop a schedule for completion of
the seven improvement items on Mills Act contract. The schedule is to be completed within
30 days of the hearing (due Feb 25, 2005). The applicants stated that all the required Mills
Act improvements would be de as part of the improvement project.
Both motions were appro , 5-0.
3. 690 Higuera Str et. ARC MI 212-04: Review of a new rear canvas patio cover and
upgrade to stree facade; C-D-H zone; Joseph and Debbie Silvestri, applicants.
Buzz Kalkows presented the staff report. Louisa Smith, architect, and Alex Rampone,
Shoreline A g, made brief states regarding the proposed improvements. Committee
members fe the changes were consistent with the Downtown Historic District and supported the
project. ere was no public comment. On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded
by Co 'ttee member Breska, the Committee found that the proposed facade and rear canopy
cover with the character and style of the surrounding buildings and the Downtown Historic
Distri t and recommended ARC approval. The motion was approved 5-0.
4. 1940 Santa Barbara Avenue. ARC PA 148-04: Review of public art proposal to be placed
in the traffic island in front of the historic SPRR Freight Warehouse; PF-H zone; City of San
Luis Obispo, applicant.
Buzz Kalkowski presented the staff report. Jim Trask, the artist selected by the art jury, showed
a model of the artwork, along with materials, and explained the how the art piece would be
viewed by the public. Committee members expressed support for the artwork. Committee
member Scotti asked staff to verify the historic dates that the icons in the art make reference to,
prior to ARC action. Arnold Jonas, representative of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum,
CHC Meeting Minutes, January 24, 2005 �, AWN
Page 3
said the public art would be an appropriate addition to the Historic Railroad District and would
be compatible with the planned museum. There was no other public comment.
On a motion by Committee member Pavlik, seconded by Committee member Crotser, the
Committee determined the proposed public art fits with the Railroad Historical District. The
motion was approved: 5-0.
5. 1318 Chorro Street. ARC MI 231-04: Review of a small addition and seismic retrofit of
the historic Mann House; O zone; Howard Carroll, applicant.
Buzz Kalkowski presented the staff report. Tom Martin, project architect, scribed the seismic
retrofit and rebuilding of the addition to the Master List structure. ere was no public
comment. On a motion by Committee member Crotser,seconded by ce-Chairperson Wheeler,
the Committee determined the project is consistent with the Secre of the Interior's Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and referred the item the Community Development
Director with a recommendation to approve the plans as subm' ed...
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
6. Building Colors for the historic Rodriguez A be.
Jeff Hook presented the historic building colo of the Rodriquez Adobe, as determined by a
paint sampling study by Bob Vessely. He no d the oldest building colors appeared to be an off
white or very pale yellow for the main bod , and a blue-green trim color. Committee members
asked staff to extend appreciation to Mr. essely for his work.
7. Letter from Anne Cruikshan egarding the historic Rosa Butron Adobe.
Anne Cruikshanks expanded up her letter explaining her request to increase City efforts to
protect and maintain the histo ' Rosa Butron Adobe. Committee members recommended that
the City Council direct to investigate interim protection measures for the Butron and
Nopalera (Lizzie Street) obes, and to provide additional resources to begin rehabilitation of
the Butron Adobe from y funds remaining from the Rodriquez Adobe rehabilitation. The
Committee asked staff add an item to the February CHC agenda on the condition and status of
the City-owned adob . Committee member Pavlik suggested staff look into the possibility of
using FEMA grants or 2003 earthquake damage to cover some of the adobe costs.
8. Presentati by Heritage Shared of the "Pedaling the Past" bike tour and request for
City spo_ orship. (Dick Miller)
Dick Mille , President of Heritage Shared, explained a planned bike tour of historic San Luis
Obispo buildings and sites, to be conducted with the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club. He said they
planned to use Sinsheimer Park as a staging area for the tour, and asked for CHC support for City
sponsorship of the tour.
Draft ARC Minutes
Tuesday, February 22, 2005 T"'"
Page 2
AYES: Commrs. Boud u, Lopes, Wilhelm, Root, Howard, Smith and Stevenson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: No
The motion tried on a 7:0 vote.
1 1940 Santa Barbara Avenue. ARC PA 148-04; Review of a piece of public art to
be placed in the traffic island in front of the historic SPRR Freight Warehouse; PF-H
zone; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.
Associate Planner Buzz Kalkowski presented the staff report, recommending the
Commission find that the proposed artwork meets the City's Public Art Guidelines,
based on findings and subject to one condition and code requirements.
Jim Trask, Artist, presented a display to the Commission and gave a brief explanation
on the lighting and materials for the proposed public art piece.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
John Rossetti, SLO, commented that he would like to see some railroad spikes
incorporated into the proposed art piece.
There were no further comments made from the public.
COMMISSION COMMENTS:
The commissioners felt.the art was a complementary design.
Commr. Boudreau moved the staff recommendation. Seconded by Commr. Root
AYES: Commrs. Boudreau, Root, Wilhelm, Howard, Lopes, Smith and Stevenson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion cam%Calif
:0 vote.
4. 699 & 683 ia. ARC 179-04; Review of an office addition with public
improvements to incl e a bus shelter and new medical office building on adjoining
site; O zone; Bachmann mily Trust, applicant.
Associate Planner Phil Dunsmor resented the staff report recommending final
approval to the project designs for both roperties subject to the findings, conditions and
code requirements recommended by sta
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