ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request to Reserve Certain Locations Along WASHINGTON STREET for Use by SCULPTURE WALK PEORIA FOUNDATION for PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS. (District 1)
Body
BACKGROUND: In late 2013, a small group of art supporters, residents, and business people in downtown Peoria began to discuss the creation of a "sculpture walk" in Peoria's Warehouse District. A sculpture walk is an annual, juried, outdoor exhibit utilizing public art spaces. This effort will solicit, select and install original pieces to be installed along three streets (in the first phase) in Downtown and the Warehouse District. The goal of the endeavor is to enhance the appreciation for the arts in Peoria, educate the public about the value of the arts, and enhance the vitality of the pedestrian experience in the area. Many other cities have used the concept as a way of increasing vibrancy in their downtowns, namely Sioux Falls SD (www.sculpturewalksiouxfalls.com <http://www.sculpturewalksiouxfalls.com>), Eau Claire WI (www.sculpturetour.org <http://www.sculpturetour.org>) and Mankato MN (www.cityartmankato.com/tour <http://www.cityartmankato.com/tour>).
Sculpture Walk Peoria Foundation, working as a committee under the Arts Partners umbrella has requested the right to install pieces in the City right-of-way. Preliminarily, they have identified 30 separate locations along SW Washington Street between Liberty and Oak Street. The Foundation has created an interactive map of the locations that can be found by following the link below:
The locations were selected to create a compact, walkable link between Portal (in the roundabout) and the Preston Jackson pieces near the intersection of State and Washington. Many of these spots have already been reserved as "public art" locations and were treated differently in the street improvements design. All the locations have been reviewed by Public Works to ensure no interference with the pedestrian path. The Foundation is hoping to solicit, select and install at least 10 sculptures in early summer 2015.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. The Foundation is raising all of the funds to run this program including installation of the pieces on the street. There may be some minimal staff time involved in planning and logistics. The pieces will be for sale to the general public. Each year, the Foundation's hope is to purchase at one piece for permanent installation. The City would also be free to purchase a sculpture.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The project is supported by the Warehouse District Association and was contemplated as part of the Washington Street reconstruction project. While the Foundation will select winning submissions and alternates, the City's Public Arts Advisory Commission will approve all final selections. The project is also supported by the Downtown Living Neighborhood Association.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The noted locations will be reserved for the Sculpture Walk Peoria Foundation. Please note that the City and Foundation have agreed that should a reserved space be required for development (for example, the need for sidewalk café space for a new adjacent restaurant or the construction of a building on a vacant parcel) that rights to the space will be forfeited by the Foundation.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The locations would not be reserved. The Foundation could find other locations, either public or private, but it is likely that the effort would cease.
ALTERNATIVES: Identify alternative locations.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Vibrant Downtown: Riverfront/ Central Business District/ Warehouse District
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development