To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH VOLKAN ALKANOGLU DESIGN LLC TO COMMISSION AND INSTALL THE ARTWORK “GATE WAVE” AT GATEWAY PARKETTE FOR A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $275,000
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On January 9, 2024, the City Council approved the design, location, and an allocation of $275,000 from the John Parsons Public Art Fund (JPPAF) and directed staff to prepare an agreement with the artist to commission the fabrication and installation of a sculptural work of public art entitled “Gate Wave.” The proposed design fits within the Park’s existing footprint, and after evaluating underground imaging, the artist has concluded that the artwork can be installed without interference or disruption to the numerous subterranean easements and utility systems in the area. The Cultural Arts Commission (formerly the Public Art Commission) reviewed and supported the project. Pending execution of the contract with Volkan Alkanoglu Design LLC, installation of “Gate Wave” is expected to be completed by September 2026.
BACKGROUND
The City Council has long recognized the value of public art in enhancing the City’s environment, engendering community pride, and improving residents' quality of life. Toward this goal, in 2011, the Public Art Commission (now the Cultural Arts Commission) selected three artists’ proposals from a group of eleven submissions for a public artwork to be installed at the New Transit Center, which was then in its design phase. The three proposals had been narrowed down from sixty initial responses to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), following an open national competition. The Commission unanimously voted to recommend “Gate Wave” by Volkan Alkanoglu and forwarded the three proposals, together with their recommendation, to the City Council for consideration.
At their meeting on April 19, 2011, the City Council approved “Gate Wave,” along with the proposed location, and directed staff to prepare a contract for the commission, fabrication and installation of the work for an initial budget of $75,000. The artwork was intended to be funded by dedicated transportation restricted Proposition C Local Return Funds. An agreement with the artist, however, was postponed until construction of the New Transit Center was set to begin in 2017.
Due to the delay in installation, the cost rose significantly over the years, largely due to labor increases and material cost increases. Upon revisiting the procurement and installation costs for “Gate Wave,” the updated cost was increased to $275,000. Fortuitously, by 2021, when the Transit Center was approaching completion, the JPPAF had been created and accumulating funds. At two separate meetings, the City Council agreed to appropriate an additional $200,000 from JPPAF to the project.
The final Transit Center design required a relocation of the artwork from a prominent location in the front of the building to a location on the west side of the parking lot where it would have had far less public visibility. The City Council directed staff to work with the artist and the Public Art Commission to identify a new site, and at its January 6, 2022 meeting, the Commission identified Gateway Parkette as their choice.
Staff then worked with the Public Works Department to verify the Parkette’s structural suitability and identify other potential obstacles. A preliminary review of the site did not raise any serious concerns. On March 23, 2023 the Commission voted to recommend Gateway Parkette as the new location for “Gate Wave.” Subsequently, underground scanning was performed along with research into existing easements at the Parkette site. The scans and records were shared with the artist, and Mr. Alkanoglu confirmed his ability to move forward with the installation of the art piece within the area unencumbered by easements and underground utilities.
The relocation resulted in the loss of the original $75,000 from dedicated transportation restricted Proposition C Local Return Funds. On January 9, 2024, the City Council approved the new location, design proposal, and an additional allocation from JPPAF of $70,000 with an additional $5,000 added later. By the start of the FY 2024-25, the entire $275,000 amount had been allocated.
Proposed Design
The position and orientation of the artwork in the Parkette (below) was selected to avoid interference with easements and underground utilities.
Project Timeline
It is estimated that the project would follow an eight-to-nine-month timeline following contract execution, barring unforeseen delays in shipping or installation. Total fabrication time would be determined by the fabricator’s current production queue at the time of order. It is estimated that it would take sixteen weeks for the artwork to be manufactured, one week for delivery (during which site preparation and foundation would be installed), and another week for installation to be completed. Considering the artist’s and fabricator’s other active projects and scheduling priorities, staff anticipates the installation to completed by September 2026. Staff would work closely with the artist to expedite the installation timeline.
Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed agreement with Volkan Alkanoglu Design LLC for the design, fabrication, and installation of an artwork “Gate Wave” to be installed at the Gateway Parkette.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated with the Waterfront and Economic Development Department, Public Works Department, and Community Development Department to develop this item. The City Attorney’s Office reviewed and approved the agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The “Gate Wave” Public Art project budget includes an allocation from the JPPAF of $275,000 for the design, fabrication, and installation of a public artwork by artist Volkan Alkanoglu, to be installed at Gateway Parkette. The allocation of $275,000 from JPPAF was approved as part of the FY 2024-25 Budget and is included in the City’s CIP.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Artist Agreement with Volkan Alkanoglu Design LLC
• Proposal - “Gate Wave” Public Art Project Artist Volkan Alkanoglu