To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: STEPHEN PROUD, WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR,
JOHN LA ROCK, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE ICONIC PIER SAILS AT THE WATERFRONT AND THE POTENTIAL INCORPORATION OF PUBLIC ART IN THE PROJECT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes a project to improve the current condition of the decorative “Pier Sails” that are installed in three clusters on the Horseshoe Pier. Originally planned as a repair and painting maintenance project, additional discussion by staff and with relevant City Commissions has considered the incorporation of public art into the project.
The proposed incorporation of public art is not intended to alter the location, shape or scale of the Sails. Inclusion of public art could manifest as a replacement of the screen inserts of each Sail providing interplay of natural and artificial light and/or wind at the Pier or a nighttime lighting design that defines the silhouettes of the Sails. The current CIP budget for the Pier Sails project is $99,646.
Staff discussed the potential incorporation of public art in the Pier Sails project with the Public Art, Public Works and Harbor Commissions. Each Commission was generally in favor of considering public art. The relevant meeting minutes from each Commission are included with this report.
The City Council may provide direction for staff to proceed with a maintenance project on the Pier Sails which would entail a like for like restoration and/or replacement of the screen inserts as well as repainting the frames of the Pier Sails in the current color scheme of light violet, golden yellow and sea green, or in an alternative color scheme. Alternatively, the City Council may provide direction for the Public Art Commission to work with staff on solicitation of public art proposals for the consideration of public art in the restoration project.
BACKGROUND
As part of the City’s approved Capital Improvement Program, the decorative Pier sails at the Waterfront are scheduled for technical and aesthetic improvements. Although the project was originally contemplated as a maintenance effort that would be clean, repair and restore the Sails to their original condition, the City may also consider a public art element be incorporated to the Sail improvement project. The current budget for the Pier sails improvement project is $99,646.
Each set of sails is comprised of 3 sails in three descending sizes. The sails are placed in sets over three areas along the Pier’s western promenade. Among the sail placements, there is a set of 3 (9 total sail segments), a set of 4 (12 total sail segments) and a set of 2 (6 total sail segments). These groupings could be considered, from an artwork design perspective, as three distinct project areas or as a single project area.
The Pier sails are in disrepair and have been blighted over time by the environmental conditions present at the ocean as well as by bird activity. However, the sails remain one of the most iconic images of the City; the shape and placement of the sails is not recommended for any alteration. The consideration of public art into the restoration project could include removal of the existing metal mesh sail inserts, inspection, cleaning and repainting the sail framing, in their original colors or in a color scheme to be determined, and the installation of new material/media/etc. inside the sail frames. Alternatively, the public art could take the form of a lighting design, specifically to enhance and potentially outline the shapes of the Sails, providing ornamental nighttime visibility. Lighting designs could incorporate varying colors and be programmable in order to reinforce the three sail areas on the Pier as one cohesive artwork. This would be similar to the nighttime lighting technology used at the Catalina triangle sculpture.
On September 25, 2019, the Public Art Commission considered the Pier Sails item as part of their meeting agenda. Commissioners were largely in favor of updating the Pier Sails by including some form of public art installation; some Commissioners noted that the existing sails could be considered art and should not be changed. The minutes from the Public Art Commission are included with this report.
On October 28, 2019, the Public Works Commission considered the Pier Sails item as part of their meeting agenda. The Commission was in favor of updating the Pier Sails by including some form of public art installation. The minutes from the Public Works Commission are included with this report.
On January 13, 2020, the Harbor Commission considered the Pier Sails item as part of their meeting agenda. Ultimately the Commission was in favor of updating the Pier Sails and considering some form of public art installation. As part of their motion, the Harbor Commission recommended that artwork(s) be marine themed; that durability and maintenance be included as assessment criteria and that the Harbor Commission be included in the review and selection of an artist/artwork proposal. The minutes from the Harbor Commission are included with this report.
The City Council may provide direction on one or more of the following:
• Pier Sails project is repair and restoration with no public art element
• Pier Sails project is repair and restoration with a public art element incorporated into the sails inserts
o Artwork to be kinetic (motion and possibly sound)
o Artwork to be static (inserts are fixed and provide light play/coloration, themed subject matter, etc.)
• Pier Sails project is repair and restoration with a public art element incorporated into the nighttime lighting of the sails
In the event that public art is to be considered for incorporation in the Pier Sails CIP project, the Public Art Commission and staff would issue a request for proposals from artists and at a future date would review, in coordination with the Harbor Commission, the artist submissions. Ultimately any recommendations for public artworks would be presented to the City Council for consideration and approval.
It should be noted that the timing of this report was delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and for the availability of virtual meeting technology allowing for real-time public input given the potentially sensitive nature of any contemplated alterations to the iconic Pier Sails.
COORDINATION
The Waterfront and Economic Development, Public Works and Community Services Departments coordinated with the Public Art, Public Works and Harbor Commissions for this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
The CIP project to repair and restore the Pier Sails includes a FY 2020-21 Budget allocation of $99,646. Additional funding for the project, in the event some form of public art is incorporated, would be available from the John Parsons Public Art Fund. The Public Art Fund’s current unencumbered balance is $425,448.
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Minutes-Public Art Commission 09/25/2019
2. Minutes-Public Works Commission 10/28/2019
3. Minutes-Harbor Commission 01/13/2020
4. Power Point presentation