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CC - (1) Authorization to Place a Permanent Art Installation Commissioned by Hackman Capital Partners, LLC within the Town Plaza Expansion Area Subject to Cultural Affairs Commission Review and Approval of the Art Installation; and (2) Provide Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate
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Meeting Date: December 13, 2021
Contact Person/Dept: B. Christine Byers / Administrative Services - Cultural Affairs
Todd Tipton / Community Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
(310) 253-5783
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: To Be Determined
Commission Name: Cultural Affairs Commission
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (12/09/2021)
Department Approval: Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director (12/01/2021); Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (12/01/2021)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council: (1) authorize the placement of a permanent art installation commissioned by Hackman Capital Partners, LLC in fulfillment of their Art in Public Places Program requirement within the Town Plaza Expansion Area, subject to Cultural Affairs Commission review and approval of the art installation; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 15.06.120, new commercial development projects with a building valuation of $500,000 or more and remodeling projects (tenant improvements) with a building valuation of $250,000 or more are subject to the City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirement.
Hackman Capital Partners, LLP (HCP), the owner of The Culver Studios and The Culver Steps, wish to fulfill their APPP requirement for development of both sites with a single permanent public art commission for the Town Plaza Expansion area (Plaza). The combined 1% allocation is currently approximately $1.9 million (this excludes most of the interior tenant improvements where the applicable 1% APPP in-lieu fee was paid in conjunction with Building Permit issuance).
DISCUSSION
HCP hired art consultant LeBasse Projects, and after conducting an extensive search, have elected to move forward with a US-based artist who has designed a sculptural element that also doubles as a performance pavilion. The desire to site the art within the Plaza serves several goals, including conforming with the City’s access/visibility requirements for the art as well as supporting the original use and programming goals of The Culver Steps and the adjacent Plaza area.
The exact proposed location for the art is the flat portion of the green space, beneath “The Hill” (see attachments for site plan and renderings) that covers the parking structure tunnel entrance off Culver Boulevard and where the holiday tree is sited when on display. The artwork’s overall design resembles a cluster of trees and would measure approximately 25’ at its highest point with a “canopy” measuring approximately 94’ x 64’. In addition to serving as an iconic feature within the Plaza, the artwork would provide much needed shade for visitors, and could double as infrastructure for performances and/or events.
The proposed location is within a parcel owned by the City and included under an easement and operating agreement between the City and HCP. Therefore, City Council approval for use of the site is required prior to investing additional time and resources in vetting the art concept with City staff and the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) which includes the CAC’s Public Art Subcommittee (Zoltan Pali and Brenda Williams). Pending Council approval and direction, HCP is ready to move forward immediately with the additional vetting and review process and is planning for CAC consideration of the concept in early 2022. HCP has conducted initial outreach to the owners of The Culver Hotel as well as the Downtown Business Association and will also be working with staff to ensure that the art poses no impacts to any adjacent historical resources.
The cost for design, fabrication and installation for the artwork is borne entirely by HCP. The responsibility and cost for future maintenance and restoration of the artwork is normally the responsibility of the property owner pursuant to CCMC Section 15.06.150 and will need to be addressed in the Operating and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement between the City and HCP.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
While there are currently no direct costs for the City in conjunction with this agenda item, there will be additional staff time required to address re-siting of the holiday tree and amendments to relevant agreements with HCP.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 21-12-13_ATT 1_CC_Site Plan Showing Artwork Tree Canopy and Structural Posts
2. 21-12-13_ATT 2_CC_Rendering of Proposed Site
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the placement of a permanent art installation Commissioned by Hackman Capital Partners, LLC within the Town Plaza Expansion Area subject to Cultural Affairs Commission review and approval of the art installation; and
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.