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APPROVE MOTION TO ACCEPT PUBLIC ART CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF THE SPIRE IN DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PLAZA
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve the Stockton Arts Commission’s recommendation to accept the Save Downtown Stockton Foundation’s public art conceptual design of the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
2. Approve the relocation of the Spire which shall remain the property of the City of Stockton for installation at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
3. Accept the relocation installation and reestablishment of the Hunter Square Spire on City property at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, as a donation for a public purpose to the City of Stockton from the Save Downtown Stockton Foundation.
4. Execute an Agreement for Services with the Save Downtown Stockton Foundation for the installation and maintenance of the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The art feature known as the Spire was first designed in 1965 by Glen Mortenson, a local architect and current director of Save Downtown Stockton Foundation (SDSF). The Spire was installed in the fountain at Hunter Square, the central plaza next to the former San Joaquin County Courthouse, and remained at that location for 48 years. The plaza and fountain were demolished during construction of the new courthouse. Staff preserved the Spire and stored it at the City’s Municipal Service Center (Attachment A).
In early 2015, SDSF approached the City regarding relocation of the Spire to a downtown Stockton location. Several locations were considered, with the final design concept relocating the Spire to the defunct fountain basin in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and using the Spire as a sundial with space for donor bricks around the base (Attachment B).
On January 9, 2017, the Stockton Arts Commission (SAC) recommended acceptance of SDSF’s conceptual design for the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Community Services and Public Works staff negotiated an Agreement for Services with the SDSF for the installation and maintenance of the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza (Attachment C).
Staff recommends that Council approve the SAC’s recommendation, and accept the SDSF’s public art conceptual design of the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Staff further recommends that Council authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Services with SDSF. The Spire will remain the property of the City of Stockton and will be installed on City property located at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
DISCUSSION
Background
Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) sections 2.94.090 through 2.94.110 establishes the City’s Public Art Program, creating the opportunity for the community to experience public art through a City program. SMC section 2.94.070 identifies the powers and responsibilities of the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) to administer public art in Stockton.
The Spire was first designed in 1965 by Glen Mortenson, a local architect and current director of SDSF. The Spire, which looks like a cluster of vertical pipes, was installed in the fountain at Hunter Square, the central plaza next to the former San Joaquin County Courthouse, and remained at that location for 48 years. The plaza and fountain were demolished during construction of the new courthouse. Staff preserved the Spire and stored it at the City’s Municipal Service Center (Attachment A).
In early 2015, SDSF approached the City regarding proposals to beautify downtown Stockton. One of the proposals was to re-establish the Spire for display as public art. SDSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group established to create catalyst projects which sustain historic downtown Stockton through collaboration and partnerships. In 2015 and 2016, SDSF made multiple presentations to PAAC, SAC, and the Public Works and Community Services Departments regarding the general project scope. The group also engaged in a public outreach process to solicit feedback on design options.
The final proposed design concept relocates the Spire to the defunct fountain basin in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, and uses the Spire as a sundial with space for donor bricks around the base to help finance the project (Attachment B).
Present Situation
On January 9, 2017, the SAC recommended acceptance of SDSF’s conceptual design for the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Community Services and Public Works staff negotiated an Agreement for Services with the SDSF for the installation and maintenance of the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza (Attachment C).
Staff recommends that Council approve the SAC’s recommendation, and accept the SDSF’s public art conceptual design of the Spire at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Staff further recommends that Council authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Services with SDSF. The Spire will remain the property of the City of Stockton and will be installed on City property located at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
SDSF will fund the installation of the Spire; there is no capital expense to the City.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
This project is being funded by SDSF through public donations. There will be no capital cost to the City. Some limited staff time from Community Services and Public Works will be necessary to ensure the project is implemented in accordance with the project agreement. Public Works currently maintains the area where the Spire will be installed. Installation of the Spire is not anticipated to require additional maintenance compared to the current maintenance demands of the defunct fountain and surrounding area.
Attachment A - Spire at Hunter Square
Attachment B - Proposed Public Art Conceptual Design of the Spire
Attachment C - Proposed Agreement for Services with the Save Downtown Stockton Foundation