HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/21/2006, BUS 8 - RELOCATION OF PUBLIC ART BENCHES TO EMERSON PARK counat Mecu.DM 3/21/06
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CITY OF SAN LUIS
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FROM: Shelly Stanwyck, ACAO s4
Prepared By: Betsy Kiser,.Principal Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: RELOCATION OF PUBLIC ART BENCHES TO EMERSON PARK
CAO RECOMMENDATION
1. As recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) and the Architectural
Review Commission (ARC), approve relocating the public art benches known as
Community's Bridge to Emerson Park.
2. Accept the offer from San Luis Obispo Court Street LLC (Copeland Properties)to design,
install and donate a bocce ball court for Emerson Park, subject to the City's review and
approval process.
3. Accept the offer from Copeland Properties to purchase, install and donate a new piece of
public art valued at $15,000 for the Higuera Street location, subject to completion of the
City's approval process for donated public art.
4. Direct staff to work with Copeland Properties to resolve issues related to the placement of
the planters in said location.
DISCUSSION
Background
Community's Bridge is a set of six benches approved on July 18, 2000 as the public art
component for the Higuera Bridge repair capital improvement project(see photos Attachment 1).
The work, created by artist Allen Root, was selected by an art jury and subsequently approved by
the ARC and City Council per the Visual Arts in Public Places process. The sculptural benches
were selected for a number of reasons, but particularly because they responded to the Request for
Proposal (RFP) asking that the artwork reflect the "character and atmosphere of the downtown"
and "consider incorporating the work into the streetscape either by way of work imbedded into
the sidewalk, street, a part of the street fixtures,.such as benches, lighting, drinking fountains, or
in any way that would be appropriate."
As described by the artist in his proposal cover letter, the seating surfaces represented the creek
meandering between the mountains and the City, much the same as San Luis Creek flowing
beneath the site. The benches were painted in muted green, blue, cream and brown, again
representing the various elements in the area, with the color blue chosen as the unifying element
to portray water's importance in all of our lives. Location, function and relationship to the
surroundings were interwoven to create the final project design, and as such, were integral
components leading to the selection of Community's Bridge as the public art piece for the
Higuera Bridge project.
Community's Bridge was subsequently fabricated and installed on Higuera Street in front of what
is now known as San Luis Obispo Court Street, but at the time was the Court Street parking lot.
Prior to the start of the Court Street development, the benches were removed by the developer
C,i
Relocation of Public Art Benches to Emerson Park Page 2
and placed in storage for reinstallation upon completion of the project. However, in July 2005,
the City Council received a letter from Mark Rawson on behalf Copeland Properties seeking
approval to relocate Community's Bridge from Higuera Street in front of Court Street to Mitchell
Park. Copeland Properties expressed a willingness to absorb the costs associated with
transporting and installing the benches in the new location. Copeland Properties reasons for
wanting to relocate the benches were as follows:
1. With the completion of the Court Street center, the benches are no longer appropriate for
the location.
2. The Court Street center includes numerous benches that provide plenty of seating.
3. Public Art suitable to the look and ambience of Court Street will be a part of the project.
On September 9, 2005, City Council considered and denied the request by Copeland Properties
to relocate the public art benches to Mitchell Park, concluding that the Mitchell Park location
was not an appropriate location. Instead, Council directed Copeland Properties to pursue the
feasibility of better alternative locations and return to Council by December 31, 2005 with other
proposed options. The Council also requested that Copeland Properties install new public art at
the Community Bridge's former Higuera Street location (see further discussion below) upon
approval of the benches relocation.
On November 21, 2005, Copeland Properties submitted a letter to the City identifying a possible
new relocation site for the benches and agreed to purchase, install and donate a substantial piece
of public art to the City at the former Higuera Street location. The new relocation site selected
was the plaza in front of, and adjacent to, the "old" County Government Center, at 1050
Monterey Street. Just prior to the December 6, 2005 Council meeting, where the City Council
was being asked to approve the relocation site, staff received a letter from Judge Michael Duffy
of the Superior Court, expressing serious concern for the proposed relocation site. Subsequent to
the Judge Duffy's letter, County Administrator David Edge verbally indicated that he would not
be able to support the placement of the art in the proposed relocation site to the Board of
Supervisors unless the Courts supported it. In light of the additional input received on this item,
the City Council concluded that the Monterey Street location was not appropriate and directed
Copeland Properties to pursue the feasibility of a better alternative location, and return to Council
with a proposal within two months.
Current Situation
On January 11, 2006, the City Council received another letter from Copeland Properties
proposing that the benches be relocated to Emerson Park (see Attachment 2). In the letter, Mark
Rawson indicates that he met with Parks and Recreation staff and discussed the idea of relocating
the benches near the area of the Park where future amenities such as bocce ball, volleyball and
basketball courts were desired and indicated in its Master Plan. The letter states that there "is
ample space for the benches to be located there. They are close to downtown and the creek, both
of which are represented in the bench art. The benches would be well utilized there and would
provide needed seating for users of the park." In addition to relocating the benches to this area,
Copeland Properties also expressed a willingness to help fund some of the improvements
contained in the Park's Master Plan. A follow-up letter received on March 8, 2006 specifically
GAProjects&Progmms\Public Art\Current ProjectARelocation of benches\CAR-Emerson Park 32106.DOC
Relocation of Public Art Benches to Emerson Park Page 3
identifies the design and installation of a bocce ball court as the improvement of choice (see
discussion below).
Advisory Body Review Process
To return Community's Bridge to the community at Emerson Park, the public art process requires
the relocation site to be reviewed and approved by the PRC (because it is proposed for a City
park) and the ARC, using the Guidelines for Public Art. The PRC was responsible for
determining if the piece is an appropriate "fit" for the park. The ARC, on the other hand, was
responsible for determining if the relocation site is clearly located within the public right-of-way,
or otherwise easily visible or accessible from a public right-of-way. All other public art criteria
dealing with aesthetics, safety, material, etc. were met when the original piece was reviewed by
the public art jury and the ARC in 2000 and required no further review.
1. Parks and Recreation Commission Review. On February 1, 2006, the Emerson Park
relocation site was presented to the PRC for approval. Copeland Properties' Architect Mark
Rawson was in attendance and answered questions and concerns of the Commission. After
discussion, the PRC approved the relocation of Community's Bridge to Emerson Park on a 4-
1-2 vote but requested that a more detailed site plan be developed for the ARC and that the
plan subsequently return to the PRC for one last assessment prior to going to City Council.
On March 1, 2006, the detailed site plan was provided to the PRC as they had requested and,
for the most part, the Commissioners were comfortable with the relocation plan. Only
Commissioner Dollar expressed his concern that the context of the art was being lost at this
location and that relocating the benches was detrimental to the Public Art Program (see
Attachment 3 for minutes from both meetings).
2. Architectural Review Commission. On February 21, 2006, the Emerson Park relocation site
was presented to the ARC. The Commissioners concluded that the proposed location was far
superior to the last two locations proposed, and that it was consistent with their direction to
have adequate space around the benches as well as a location where the benches fit in with
the theme of their surroundings. On a 5-0-2 vote, the ARC found that the relocation of the
public art benches to Emerson Park was consistent with the City's Guidelines for Public Art
and approved the installation of the benches at the new location (see Attachment 4).
Associated Issues
As touched on briefly above, there are several associated issues to be addressed with the
relocation of the benches to Emerson Park, namely the installation and donation of a bocce ball
court at.Emerson Park; the replacement art at the former location in front of Court Street; and the
resolution of issues related to the placement of the temporary planters at former location.
1. Design, Installation and Donation of a Bocce Ball Court at Emerson Park. On March 8,
2006, Mr. Rawson submitted a letter to the City Council on behalf of Copeland
Properties, offering to design, install and donate a bocce ball court at Emerson Park (see
Attachment 6 for letter). Since a bocce ball court is an approved feature of the Emerson
Park Master Plan, Staff seeks direction to work with Copeland Properties on this donation
opportunity.
GAProjects&Programs\Pubhc Art\Current Projects\Relocation of benches\CAR-Emerson Park 32106.DOC
Relocation of Public Art Benches to Emerson Park Page 4
2. Replacement Art at the Court Street Location. Per the November 21, 2006 letter from
Copeland Properties (see Attachment 5), they agree to donate a piece of public art valued
at $15,000 and install it at the Community's Bridge's former Higuera Street location,
subject to approval via the public art 'process. If the City Council approves of the
relocation of the benches to Emerson Park and accepts this offer, Staff will coordinate
with Copeland Properties the City's approval process for public art.
3. Resolution of Issues Related to the Placement.of the Planters at the Court Street Location.
The planters currently located along Higuera Street in front of Court Street were placed
there by Copeland Properties without going through the approved development review
and.approval process. In light of the relocation request for the benches, and until a final
relocation site was determined, Public Works issued a temporary encroachment permit
for the planters, with the caveat that appropriate review occur once the bench relocation
issues were resolved. If the Emerson Park relocation site is approved, then staff seeks
direction to work with Copeland Properties to resolve the planter placement issues.
CONCURRENCES
The benches proposed relocation to Emerson Park has also been considered by and
recommended for approval by the former and acting Parks and Recreation Directors and the
Public Works Parks Maintenance Supervisor.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact_. All costs associated with the installation of the benches, the provision
of a new piece of public art, and the development and installation of a bocce ball court are the
responsibility of the developer.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Determine that the proposed site for relocation of the public art benches is inappropriate and
require that the benches be reinstalled in their original location along Higuera Street.
2. Continue action with direction_ to the applicant and staff if more information is necessary in
order to render a decision.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Photo of Community's Bridge
2. Letter and site map from Mr. Rawson
3. Minutes from February 1 and March 1 PRC meeting
4. Minutes from February 21 ARC meeting
5. November 21, 2006 letter from Mr. Rawson
6. March 8, 2006 letter from Mr. Rawson
Previous Council and ARC agenda reports are available in the Council Reading File.
GAProjeas&Progiams\Public Art\Current Projects\Relocation of benches\CAR-Emerson Park 32106.DOOCC
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San-Luis Obispo Court Street, .L-LC CAMEO
P.O. Box 1085
San Luis Obispo, California 93406
(805)593-0200
FAX#(805) 593-0109
January 1.1,2006
Re: Court Street Project—Higuera Street Benches
Dear Mayor Dave Romero and members of the City Council,
Attached is a plan of Emerson Park showing a proposal to locate the Art Benches in the park. We
have had preliminary discussions with some of the parks and recreation department staff and
have also shown preliminary layouts for some of the future improvements desired for this park
area, including an added basketball court, sand volleyball court, and bocci ball courts.
We feel that this would be an excellent location for the benches. There is ample space for the
benches to be located there. They are close to downtown and the creek,both of which are
represented in the bench art. The benches would be well utilized there and would provide needed
seating for users of the park.
In addition to funding another piece of public art at the Court Street project, as we have
previously agreed to, we are also willing to help fund some of the improvements proposed at the
sports area in the park.
If this proposal meets approval of council, we will proceed to developing more detailed plans for
the proposed park improvements, and work out the details of how much can be funded,and built
at this time.
We therefore respectfully ask that the City Council give direction to staff to work with the ARC
to discuss this proposed relocation, and allow us to move forward with this proposal.
Sia ely,
7
Mark Rawson
Copelands' Properties
ATTACHMENT
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Conceptual Layout
Emerson Park - Sports Field and Proposed Benches
ATIACHMEW 3
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Ludwick Community Center at 864 Santa Rosa Street
Wednesday,February 1,2006 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pete Dunan called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Pete Dunan, Commissioners: Gary Clay, Bill Pyper, John Knight, Don
Dollar,Jill Lemieux and Ty Griffin
ABSENT: Ty Griffin and Gary Clay
STAFF: Acting Director Linda Fitzgerald, Ashley Blake, Kim Walker, Todd Beights,
Betsy Kiser, and Bridget Fraser
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the January 4, 2006 meetings were approved as submitted.
1. Volunteer of the Month
Chair Dunan honored Megan Walters as the December Volunteer of the Month and presented Kees
Doctor as the January Volunteer of the Month.
2. Anholm Park Playground
Acting Director Fitzgerald and City Engineering Assistant Bridget Fraser presented this staff report to
the Commissioners.
Commission discussed the item.
Recommendation:
Approve the design of the Anholm Park Playground renovations and forward recommendations to the
City Council.
(Knight/Lemieux; 5 yes: 0 no: Griffin and Clay absent).
3. Public Art Relocation to Emerson Park
Principal Administrative Analyst Betsy Kiser presented this staff report to the Commissioners and
introduced developer Mark Rawson who discussed the bench placement further.
Commissioners discussed the item.
Recommendation:
Approve relocating the public art benches known as Community's Bridge from 11iguera Street to
Emerson Park and respectfully request to review final plans/design after ARC review.
(Lemieux/Pyper;Dunan, Pyper,Lemieux, and Knight-yes: Dollar-no: Griffin and Clay absent).
4. Mitchell Park Community Gardens
Acting Director Fitzgerald presented this staff report to the Commissioners and introduced Bob Carr
from Grace Church.
Commissioners discussed the item.
t.-IDOCUME-1ISI WJLOG45.117emPI2.1.06M117UMsdac
Parks and Recreation Commission A1TACHI°3
DRAFT MINUTES
City Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pete Dunan called the meeting to order at 7:03p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Pete Dunan, Commissioners: Gary Clay, Bill Pyper, John Knight, Don
Dollar and Jill Lemieux
ABSENT:
STAFF: Acting Director Linda Fitzgerald, Bill Statler, Sheridan Bohlken, Betsy Kiser,
Ashley Blake,Todd Beights and Todd Bunte
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the February 1, 2006 meetings and study session were approved with corrections.
1. Public Comment
YMCA Director, Jenifer Rhynes, updated the Commission on the status of the YMCA. Currently, the
YMCA is determining how to best maximize their resources, serve the community and what
partnerships they can create.
2. Volunteer of the Month
Fitzgerald introduced the February volunteers of the month: Slavo Doko and Joe Stiegler from the golf
course and Billy Hendrich from teen programs.
3. Relocation of Public Art Benches to Emerson Park
Principal Administrative Analyst Betsy Kiser presented this report to the Commissioners.
Commission discussed the item and agreed with the placement the ARC approved. Dollar noted that
he is concerned that the context of the art is being lost at this location, and by moving the artwork, the
public art program may be jeopardized.
4. Approval of Public Art for Mitchell Park
Principal Administrative Analyst Betsy Kiser presented this report to the Commissioners. Allen Root
discussed the artwork further.
Commission discussed the item.
Recommendation:
As recommended by the public art jury, approve the public art piece entitled Perpetual Hope for
Mitchell Park.
(Pyper/Lemieux; 7 yes: 0 no).
S �v
C IOOCUME-1IS/ouserI LOC4LS-11 Temp13.1.06 minutmdx
-., ATTACI�M�IT 4
Meeting Update
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
February 21, 2006 Tuesday 5:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Commrs. Allen Root, Jim Lopes, David Smith, Greg Wilhelm, Charles
Stevenson, Vice-Chair Michael Boudreau, and Chairperson Zeljka
Howard
Commrs. Root and Stevenson were absent.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
The order of the agenda was not modified.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment other than on regular agenda items.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: -
1. 1015 Court Street: ARCMI 201-05; Review of column details in conjunction with an
approved fagade remodel to the Thai Palace Restaurant; C-D-H zone; Teerapan
Teeratarkul, applicant (continued from February 6, 2006) (Pam Ricci)
On a 5-0-2 vote, the ARC approved the mosaic tile details for the columns with the
clarification that the majority of the column faces would be finished with the tiles and the
border of the face and returns of the columns would be smooth and a gold color..
2. 174 Suburban Road: ARC 200-05; Review of a new warehouse and office
building; C-S-S zone; Idler & Rodgers, applicant. (To be continued to March 6,
2006) (Phil Dunmore)
This item was continued without discussion to the meeting of March 6, 2006.
3. 131.6 Beach_ Street: ARCPA 3-06; Review to relocate public art benches to
. Emerson Park; PF-H zone; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (Pam Ricci)
On a 5-0-2 vote, the ARC found that the relocation of the public art benches to
Emerson Park was consistent with the City's Public Art Guidelines and approved the
installation of the benches at the new location, based on findings, and subject to
conditions and a code requirement. The ARC concluded that the proposed location
was far superior to the last two locations proposed, and that it was consistent with their
direction to have adequate space around the benches and a location where the
benches fit in with the theme of the surrounding facilities.
COMMENT & DISCUSSION:
4. Staff:
A. Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided a forecast of items expected on the next
meeting agenda. �l
CHMENT
San Luis Obispo Court Street, LLC
P.O. Box 1085
San Luis Obispo, California 93406'
(805) 593-0200
r FAX # (805) 593-0109
i
November 21, 2005
Wendy George
Assistant City Administrative Officer
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: Court Street Project—Higuera Street Benches
Dear Wendy,
Thank-you for your follow up to the recent conversation we had regarding moving the benches
created by Alan Root to a new location near the County Court House. We do know that when the
Council agreed to the benches being moved, rather than returned to their original location, that
they did so with several qualifications. We have met these qualifications as follows.
• We have reviewed the proposed relocation to the Court House Plaza and received support
from the County;
• We agree to pay for the cost of installation at the new location;
o We will provide a substantial piece of public art, and take.it through the City's process
for approval of donated public art.The value of the donated piece will be$15,000.00.
This new public art piece will be installed at the Higuera Street.location and will be
compatible with the Court Street Project.
• Planning Staff has reviewed the proposed relocation and is recommending approval to the
Architectural Review Commission.
• We've received a letter of support from Ann Ream,Chair of the Arts Council Art in
Public Places Committee;
We also look forward to the successful relocation of the benches and the installation of new
public art. Asalways,please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or
have any questions.
Sin ely,
Mark Rawson, AIA
Copelands' Properties
�/a
Sari-,,.Luis Obispo Court Street, QC
P.O. Box 1085 ATTACHMENT L
San Luis Obispo, California 93406
(805)593-0200
FAX#(805) 593-0109
March 8, 2006
Re: Court Street Project—Higuera Street Benches
Dear Mayor Dave Romero and members of the City Council,
Attached is an overall plan of Emerson Park showing our proposal to locate the Art Benches in
Emerson Park and a more detailed plan showing the proposed placement with dimensions for
reference. We have now had the opportunity to meet with both the Parks and Recreation
Commission and the Architectural Review Commission and have received there support for the
proposed relocation of the benches to Emerson Park.
We feel that this is an excellent location for the benches. There is ample space for the benches to
be located there. They are close to downtown and the creek,both of which are represented in the
bench art.The benches would be well utilized there and would provide needed seating for users
of the park.
As previously discussed we are still committed to funding another piece of public art at the Court
Street project. We will provide this piece of art as a privately funded donated public art piece and
will take it through the normal process of review for a privately funded donated piece of public
art.
In addition we are committed to funding the proposed Bocci Courts at Emerson Park. We will
work with city staff to develop final construction plans for the Bocci Courts and will fund the
installation and completion of the Bocci Courts.
We feel that the Art benches in combination with the new Bocci courts will be a very desirable
improvement to this downtown park and will be an exciting addition to the cities recreational
opportunities.
We therefore respectfully ask that the City Council give us your approval and allow us to move
forward on this proposal.
Sin ely,
ar Rawson
Copelands' Properties