PURPOSE   

The purpose of this report is to request City Council appropriate additional funds for the public art installation, and select the landscape design for the Art in Public Places Project at the intersection of Burbank and Victory Boulevards and Victory Place, formerly known as Five Points. 

BACKGROUND

On March 14, 2006, Council approved the development of a gateway public art project, and appropriated a total of $300,000; $150,000 from the Public Art Fund and $150,000 from the Golden State Bond proceeds.  Council also appointed a Site Specific Art Committee to assist in the selection of an artist.

Given the approximately one acre stie, there would be a need for extensive landscaping.  Staff, based on very preliminary plans, estimated the cost of the landscaping to be $350,000.  The landscape costs were included in the Burbank Boulevard Beautification Project budget.

On January 30, 2007 City Council selected artist Andrea Favilli to design and fabricate a bronze sculpture for the Five Points Art Installation Project.  (Attachment A) The bronze sculpture was to be a slightly larger-than-life bronze sculpture of Dr. David Burbank standing in front of an approximately fifty to sixty foot flagpole on a large pedestal which will feature iconic images directly relating to Burbank�s history.  The pedestal was proposed to sit atop a stepped pentagon base that rests on a circular pad of concrete elevated above the street level.  

DISCUSSION

Staff, the artist and landscape architect, Calvin Abe, have been working closely to determine the most suitable location for the sculpture and how it would be integrated into a landscape design.  Following a site visit, it was determined that the original size of the sculpture of 8 feet would not have the presence that was originally envisioned.  The artist and staff discussed the possibility of enlarging the sculpture to 10 feet. (Attachment B)  This would require an additional $65,000, which would cover the cost of the larger sculpture, as well as the necessary modifications to the pedestal to support the additional weight.

Based on input from the artist and staff, the landscape architect developed a detailed landscape design.  The design includes various concrete walkway paths, concrete pavers, concrete pad and steps to the base of the sculpture, trees, shrubs, vines, site furnishings such as trash receptacles, benches and a drinking fountain.  Also included in the costs estimate are demolition, drainage, irrigation, soil preparation and lighting. The cost estimate is $489,928, exceeding the budget by $139,928. 

On July 5, 2007, the Oversight Committee reconvened to review the revised landscape design and discuss the potential art installation budget shortfall, if the bronze sculpture was increased to 10 feet in height.  It was the recommendation of the Committee to have both the artist and landscape architect make certain revisions to their proposals and return to City Council to present their revised designs.  Mr. Favilli will discuss the merits of increasing the size of the sculpture.  At the direction of the Committee, Mr. Abe will present three proposals based upon the budgets of $300,000, $350,000 and $400,000.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is currently $285,000 in the Five Points Art Installation Project for the art installation.  Staff is requesting an additional appropriation of $65,000 from the Art in Public Places Fund to increase the size of the sculpture.  The fund has a balance of $454,000.  If approved, $65,000 would be appropriated from the Art in Public Places Fund Balance Designation account (001.ND000.30001.1033) to the Five Points Art Installation Project (370.PR46A.70005.0000.16611). 

There is currently $350,000 in the landscaping budget.  Staff is requesting, City Council select one of the three designs presented.  If the selected option exceeds the $350,000 budget, staff will return to City Council during the contract award process and request the necessary appropriation at that time.    

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is the recommendation of staff that City Council approve an additional appropriation of $65,000 from the Public Art Fund for the art installation, and select a landscape option for the Five Points Art Installation Project.

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