HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/01/2016 - RESOLUTION 2016-083 APPROVING AN ART PROJECT FOR TAgenda Item 7
Item # 7 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY November 1, 2016
City Council
STAFF
Ellen Martin, Visual Arts Administrator
SUBJECT
Resolution 2016-083 Approving an Art Project for the Mulberry Gateway Project and Authorizing Expenditures
from the Art in Public Places Wastewater Utility Account to Commission an Artist to Create the Art Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to approve expenditures from the Art in Public Places Wastewater Utility Account to
commission an artist to create art for the Mulberry Gateway Project. The expenditures of $274,000 will be for
design, materials, fabrication, installation, plantings, lighting, and contingency for Robert Tully to create
gateway sculptures for this site. The site is near the northeast corner of Mulberry Street and Riverside Avenue.
The art will wrap around the corner and extend north along Riverside.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Section 23-303 of the Code, which was added in 1995, established the Art in Public Places Reserve Account,
and designated it for use in acquiring or leasing works of art, maintenance, repair or display of works of art,
and administrative expenses related to the Art in Public Places Program, in accordance with the Art in Public
Places Guidelines adopted by the Council in Ordinance No. 20, 1995. The Council permanently adopted the
Art in Public Places Program, and reenacted City Code Chapter 23, Article IX, with certain modifications in
2012.
Artist Robert Tully worked with the Project Team to develop the concept for art at the site. The artist was
selected through a “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) process.
The proposed sculptures will serve as a gateway to Fort Collins. The artwork will be a series of sandstone
sculptures with colored-metal accents, which will be illuminated for a nighttime presence. Mulberry Street
(State Highway 14) is part of the Scenic Byway leading up the Poudre Canyon. While continuing the theme of
the stone used on the Mulberry Bridge, the sculptures are also inspired by the prominent buff sandstone cliffs
where Highway 14 splits from Highway 287.
The sculptures will include both man-made and natural elements, combining local buff sandstone and blue-
tinted stainless steel. The stacked sandstone on the sculptures will complement the horizontal and vertically
stacked stone design found on the Mulberry Bridge columns. The stainless steel will be interspersed in the
vertical fissures of the buff sandstone “cliffs.” The blue of the metal is similar to the solar panels in the adjacent
solar garden and will transition to a yellow orange metal at the north end of the site.
This project will include landscaping that continues the landscape design from the Mulberry Bridge to the
sculptures placed on Mulberry Street. The landscape will include tall grass seed mix around the sculpture area
and a native shrub palette around the base of the art.
Agenda Item 7
Item # 7 Page 2
This design concept was reviewed and recommended by the Project Team and the Art in Public Places Board.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The funds for this item have been appropriated in the Art in Public Places Wastewater Utility Account. The Art in
Public Places program has a maintenance fund for the long-term care of the Art in Public Places art collection.
The Mulberry Gateway Project art budget is $274,000 to be used for design, materials, fabrication, installation,
plantings, lighting, and contingency for this artwork.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
At its September 16, 2015 meeting, the Art in Public Places Board reviewed and recommended the design
concept and budget for this project. Staff continued to work with CDOT on the approval of the size, location,
and lighting of the artworks.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The Mulberry Gateway Project was promoted in a call to artists through an RFQ process. In an RFQ process,
all submissions are reviewed and the artist selection is based on their portfolio of work. Submissions are
reviewed by the Art in Public Places Board, a Purchasing representative, and representatives of the Project
Team. Artists then collaborate with the project team and together they develop concepts for the artwork based
on the goals of the project and input from the team. The final design and budget is reviewed and approved by
the project team and then the Art in Public Places Board. The Board recommends the project to City Council
for approval.
The Art in Public Board is developing a plan for public outreach for APP Projects and will submit to City
Council at the end of the year.
The Mulberry Gateway design was presented at the October Riverside Area Open House and shared with the
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Local Legislative Affairs Committee.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Artwork (PDF)
2. Art in Public Places Board minutes, September 16, 2015 (PDF)
Art in Public Places (APP) Artist Robert Tully worked
with the project team to develop the Mulberry
Gateway project.
The proposed sculptures will serve as a gateway to
Fort Collins. The artwork will be a series of sandstone
sculptures with colored-metal accents, that will be
illuminated for a nighttime presence. Mulberry Street
(State Highway 14) is part of the Scenic Byway
leading up the Poudre Canyon. While continuing the
theme of the stone used on the Mulberry Bridge, the
sculptures are also inspired by the prominent buff
sandstone cliffs where Highway 14 splits from
Highway 287.
The sculptures will include both man-made and
natural elements, combining local buff sandstone and
blue-tinted stainless steel. The stacked sandstone on the sculptures will complement the horizontal and
vertically stacked stone design found on the Mulberry Bridge columns. The stainless steel will be inter-
spersed in the vertical fissures of the buff sandstone “cliffs.” The blue of the metal is similar to the solar
panels in the adjacent solar garden and will transition to a yellow orange metal at the north end of the
site.
This project will include landscaping that continues the landscape design from the Mulberry Bridge to
the sculptures placed on Mulberry Street. The landscape will include tall grass seed mix around the
sculpture area and a native shrub palette around the base of the art.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES—PICKLE PLANT GATEWAY PROJECT
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
MULBERRY GATEWAY PROJECT
ARTIST ROBERT TULLY
The sandstone cliffs that inspired the piece. They are
located where Highway 14 splits from 287
ATTACHMENT 1
View heading east toward the corner of Mulberry Avenue and Riverside Street
Sculptures placed along the fence line on Riverside
View heading east toward the Mulberry and Riverside corner, depicting the illuminated sculptures at night
The stone sculptures will decrease in height from 20’ on Mulberry Street, wrapping around the corner to
a height of 15’, then 10’, with the shortest height of 7” feet on site along Riverside Avenue. The face of
the stone structures will be illuminated.
Mulberry sculptures illuminated
Sculpture Placement
There are four stone sculpture groupings comprised of eight individual stones. The largest grouping is on
Mulberry Street, the second is in the trees on the corner, the third is at the southwest corner of the solar
gardens fence, and the fourth is along Riverside Avenue. There’s approximately 140 tons of local buff sandstone
used in these sculptures.
RIVERSIDE AVE.
MULBERRY ST.
FUTURE PATH
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES MINUTES
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Uncoln Center Columbine Room
Council Liaison: Kristin Stephens Staff Liaison: Ellen Martin
Chairperson: Jill Kreutzer Vice Chair: Jane Nevrtvy
Cultural Resource Board Liaison: Tedi Cox
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gwen Hatchette, Carol Ann Hixon, Jill Kreutzer, Jane Nevrtvy, and Sabrina
Zimmerman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Renee Sherman, and Shelby Sommer
STAFF PRESENT: Ellen Martin, Liz Good, Seth Lorson, Kyle Lambrecht, and Norm Weaver
CULTURAL RESOURCE BOARD LIAISON: Not Present
I. Call to order: 3:37pm by Ms. Kreutzer
II. Citizen Participation
III. Downtown Plan Presentation
Seth Lorson, City Planner, presented the current status of the Downtown Plan to the Board.
The plan is currently in Phase 2 (Priorities) and close to entering Phase 3 (Strategies). Arts
and Culture is one of the Plan Topic Areas. Mr. Lorson shared the Key Issues and
identified priorities related to Arts and Culture. The board offered feedback and asked Mr.
Lorson to give updates and as the plan progresses.
IV. Mulberry Gateway Design Review
Artist Robert Tully, Kyle Lambrecht with the Engineering Department, and Norm Weaver
vvith the Utilities Department presented the concept for this site. The project was formerly
referred to as the Pickle Plant site, but now is the Mulberry Gateway Project. The concept
is for a gateway that connects nature and the man made environment. It features a main
sculptural rock form that is approximately 20' tall, with additional stone works that wrap
around the corner and down Riverside Ave. Spacing and height is determined by existing
utilities, solar garden, and trees. Blue stainless-steel will be attached to the sides of the
buff sandstone forms. As this site is on a highway, the design will also undergo CDOT
review. If there are changes they will be brought back to the board.
Ms. Hixon moved to accept the project as presented
Ms. Hatchette seconded
Unanimously approved
V. Consideration of tonight's agenda
VI. Consideration of Minutes from August 19 and September 2
Ms. Hixon moved that the minutes be accepted
Ms. Zimmerman seconded
Unanimously approved
VII. Staff Report
Ms. Martin presented the staff report
ATTACHMENT 2
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RESOLUTION 2016-083
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROVING AN ART PROJECT FOR THE MULBERRY GATEWAY PROJECT AND
AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES FROM THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES WASTEWATER
UTILITY ACCOUNT TO COMMISSION AN ARTIST TO CREATE THE ART PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City is in the process of constructing improvements known as the
Mulberry Bridge Gateway Project along a portion of State Highway 14 (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 23-303 and 23-304 of the City Code, one percent of the
funds appropriated for the Project was set aside for use in the acquisition, installation, and
maintenance of works of art in accordance with the Art in Public Places Guidelines adopted by
the City Council in Ordinance No. 047, 1998 (the “Guidelines”); and
WHEREAS, through a “Request for Qualifications” process, Robert Tully (the “Artist”)
was selected to develop the concept for art for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Artist has proposed artwork for the Project consisting of a series of
sandstone sculptures with colored-metal accents, which will be illuminated at night and continue
the design of stone incorporated into existing architectural elements of the Mulberry Bridge (the
“Art Project”);
WHEREAS, the Art in Public Places Board (“the Board”) evaluated the Art Project at its
regular meeting on September 16, 2016 pursuant to the Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the budget for the Art Project, which includes design, materials, fabrication,
landscaping, lighting, installation, and contingency for the Art Project, is $274,000; and
WHEREAS, the funds for the Art Project are already appropriated and will be used to
provide for the Artists’ design fees, materials, fabrication, landscaping, lighting, installation and
contingency for the Art Project; and
WHEREAS, Section 23-308 of the City Code requires the Board’s selection of the
recommended art be presented for City Council review and approval because the cost of the art
exceeds $30,000; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 23-308 of the City Code, the Board recommends City
Council approve the Art Project and authorize expenditure of the appropriated funds from the Art
in Public Places Wastewater Utility Account for the Art Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes any and all determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
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Section 2. That the City Council hereby approves the Art Project and authorizes the
expenditure of appropriated funds in an amount not to exceed TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY
FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($274,000) from the Art in Public Places Wastewater Utility
Account, for the Art Project proposed by the Artist, the conceptual design of which was selected
and approved by the Art in Public Places Board on September 16, 2016.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 1st
day of November, A.D. 2016.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk