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CAC - Consideration of a Concept for a Permanent Art Installation by The Haas Brothers Toward Fulfillment of the City’s Art in Public Places Program Requirement for a Project at 3512-16 Schaefer St. and 8570 National Blvd.
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Meeting Date: October 18, 2022
Contact Person/Dept: B. Christine Byers / City Manager - Cultural Affairs
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (10/13/22)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (10/13/22)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) consider the information provided, together with the recommendation of the CAC Public Art Subcommittee, and approve The Haas Brothers’ concept for a permanent art installation toward fulfillment of Culver City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirement for a development project at 3512-16 Schaefer St. and 8570 National Blvd.
BACKGROUND
Redcar Properties, Ltd. (Redcar) is the developer (Applicant) of a project at 3512-16 Schaefer St. and 8570 National Blvd. The project comprises two adjacent 3-story commercial buildings that will be used primarily for office space. The proposed project at 8570 National Blvd. is still pending Planning Commission approval which is scheduled for December 2022.
Pursuant to 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. To date, the minimum 1% APPP allocation Redcar is required to fulfill is $133,968. This amount is based on the 1% APPP allocation associated with Building Permits B19-0672, B20-0355, B21-0684, and B21-0959 and the estimated $9,000,000 cost for construction of the new building at 8570 National Blvd. A final accounting of the cost for the art and the 1% APPP allocation is completed toward the end of the project and also reflected in the covenant for the art.
DISCUSSION
Redcar hired Beau Basse of LeBasse Projects (LBP) to serve as art consultant for the project. LBP worked with the Applicant in identifying locations for art and completing a search for the appropriate artist or artist team for the site. LA based artists Simon and Nikolai Haas were selected for several reasons, including their unique style of artwork, ability to realize finished artworks based on a concept, and their excitement and interest in developing a project in Culver City.
The Haas Brothers’ concept for Redcar includes two painted steel figures, one sited on the roof of the National Blvd. building and holding two lamps, and the other installed near the entrance to the Schaefer St. building. The sculptures will be approximately 6’ - 7’ high. As a separate commission (not under the APPP requirement), the developer intends to have The Haas Brothers design the fonts for the building address numbers so as to create a stronger visual connection between the art elements and the two buildings. Installation is scheduled to be completed in October 2023.
The attached art plan includes more information on the search for an artist/artist team, The Haas Brothers and their concept, as well as the proposed project budget which currently totals $239,500 and covers the artist’s fee, fabrication, installation, etc.
The CAC Public Art subcommittee (Vice Chair Williams and Commissioner Mesghali) met with the Applicant, LBP and staff on September 27, 2022 to review the materials. The subcommittee supports The Haas Brothers’ concept as presented and recommends the CAC approve it toward fulfillment of the APPP requirement for the Redcar project at Schaefer & National.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The cost for design, fabrication and installation for this project is borne entirely by the Applicant. The responsibility and cost for future maintenance and restoration of the artwork is the responsibility of the property owner pursuant to Section 15.06.150 of the CCMC. There are, however, City staff costs associated with project coordination, preparation of a covenant, other documentation and outreach materials.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 22-10-18_ATT_Art Plan by The Haas Brothers for 3512-16 Schaefer St. and 8570 National Blvd.
MOTION
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
1. Approve an art concept by The Haas Brothers toward fulfillment of the APPP requirement for a project by Redcar Properties Ltd. at 3512-16 Schaefer St. and 8570 National Blvd.