To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, WATERFRONT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TERMINATION OF THE GATE WAVE ART PROJECT AND REALLOCATION OF THE $275,000 OF PROJECT FUNDS TO OTHER POTENTIAL PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On December 16, 2025, the City Council approved a $275,000 agreement with Volkan Alkanoglu of Volkan Alkanoglu Design LLC (Artist), funded by the John Parsons Public Art Fund (JPPAF), to fabricate and install the public artwork “Gate Wave” at Gateway Parkette following more than fourteen-years of planning and design. Although City staff worked closely with the Artist to advance the project, unexpected fabrication delays led to a requested four-month schedule extension. However, before the amendment could be finalized, the artist informed staff that he could no longer complete the project and requested termination of the Agreement. A termination letter was provided to the Artist on July 7, 2026.
Staff is requesting the City Council provide direction on whether to redirect the Gate Wave Project funds to other potential public art projects, return all or a portion of the funding to the JPPAF, and/or pursue a new public art installation at Gateway Parkette.
BACKGROUND
At the City Council’s December 16, 2025 meeting, the Council approved an Agreement with Volkan Alkanoglu Design LLC to commission and install the artwork “Gate Wave” at Gateway Parkette, located at the intersection of Harbor Drive and Herondo Street. The total cost for the piece was $275,000, utilizing funding from the JPPAF. Included below is a rendering of the final design:
This Agreement was the culmination of fourteen years’ worth of research, planning, envisioning, and relocation of the piece from its original site at the Transit Center. The Artist has been heavily involved throughout the process and has worked with staff over the years to refine the piece to its final design, ensure its placement and orientation at Gateway Parkette would be aesthetically appealing and verify that the parkette’s existing site conditions could successfully provide the infrastructure needed for the large piece.
Since approval of the Agreement, staff has worked closely with the Artist to support the project and ensure its fabrication and installation remain timely, adhering to the milestones outlined in the Agreement. In March 2026, the Artist informed staff there were unexpected delays with his fabricator, and he requested consideration to extend the project schedule an additional four months. Staff immediately began working with the artist to update the Agreement to provide this additional time through an amendment, which would extend the final installation from June 2026 to October 2026.
In a recent meeting to finalize the amendment, the Artist surprisingly informed staff that he was no longer able to continue with the project and requested termination of the Agreement. Staff inquired whether additional time would be helpful or if there were other considerations that could help support the fabrication and installation of the project. Unfortunately, he declined consideration of additional options. Mr. Alkanoglu stated his appreciation to the City for supporting the project for so many years and that he was thankful for all of staff’s efforts throughout each phase of the project. As a result of his request, and per the terms outlined in the Agreement, staff provided him a termination letter on July 7, 2026. To date, no payment has been issued and the Artist has indicated that he will not be invoicing the City for any work completed to date.
At the July 22, 2026 regular Cultural Arts Commission (Commission) meeting, the Commission indicated a desire to provide input to the City Council regarding next steps, including a request to retain the $275,000 for use towards a future project at the same location. A copy of the letter from Chairperson Michelle O’Brien Herrera is attached.
Staff requests the City Council provide direction regarding the $275,000 previously allocated for the project, including whether to return the funding to the JPPAF, or allocate it to alternative public art projects.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office to draft the July 7, 2026 agreement termination letter.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impacts would depend on the final direction provided by the City Council. $275,000 was appropriated for the Gate Wave Project and is available for reallocation.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Artist Agreement with Volkan Alkanoglu Design LLC, December 16, 2025
• Termination Request - June 18, 2026
• Termination Letter - July 7, 2026
• Letter from Cultural Arts Commission Chairperson O’Brien Herrera