Item Coversheet

NEW BUSINESS  13.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee Members


FROM:
Alina T. Hudak, City Manager


DATE: May 19, 2021


SUBJECT:DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CREATION OF PUBLIC ART WALK ALONG OCEAN DRIVE.

HISTORY:

At the City Commission Meeting on April 21, 2021, the Mayor and City Commission referred a discussion to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) to discuss the creation of a public art walk along Ocean Drive, similar to the Fernando Botero (Botero) public art exhibition on Lincoln Road. This item was sponsored by Commissioner Michael Gongora. This memorandum provides an overview of the Botero exhibition, a previous City-funded temporary public art program, neighboring city programs, a budget estimate, and option to include in the Art Deco Cultural District (ADCD) Master Plan. 

ANALYSIS

The Administration researched with a focus on the Botero exhibition on Lincoln Road with Ocean Drive as the proposed location and comparable public art exhibition programs in the neighboring city of Coral Gables, FL. 

 

In 2019, the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District, Inc (Lincoln Road BID) held the exhibition Botero on Lincoln Road : Monumental Sculpture, from November 2019 through March 2020. The four-thousand pound bronze sculptures were exhibited through the Lincoln Road promenade between Alton Road and Washington Avenue. The Lincoln Road BID funded this exhibition in partnership with Gary Nader Gallery. The total cost of this exhibition, including but not limited to insurance, installation, security, and maintenance, was $304,097.

 

The City's first temporary public art initiative launched December 1-15, 2019, with the support of Art in Public Places (AiPP) during Art Week Miami Beach with Order of Importance by artist Leandro Erlich. The site-specific installation, located on 17 Street beachfront and comprised of 66 life-size sculptures of cars and trucks, was featured in all major media outlets, including The New York Times. The City -funded Order of Importance totaled an amount of $300,000.

 

Similar temporary public art installations in the neighboring city of Coral Gables, include Giralda Plaza's Umbrella Sky and Sunlit Sky, which were commissioned at the cost of just over $100,000for each installation.

 

If the City were to fund a temporary art installation in the ADCD, it is estimated that the cost will range between $100,000 and $300,000 based on previous funding history and projects of a similar scale. The cost estimate includes but is not limited to installation, security, maintenance, and any City services costs. 

 

The Tourism and Culture Director reviewed a presentation by Zyscovich Architects in which they presented to the ADCD panel meeting on January 22, 2021. The presentation, included among other things, art on Ocean Drive. TCD and AiPP staff have a meeting scheduled with the Zyscovich team to discuss art implementation in the ADCD Master Plan. 

CONCLUSION:
The following is presented to the members of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee for discussion. Given funding challenges in FY 2021, the Administration recommends adding this item as an enhancement request for the FY 2021-22 budget process to identify one-time funding for a temporary public art installation. Moreover, the Administration recommends the finalization of the Art Deco Cultural District (ADCD) Master Plan to determine placement of public art in the ADCD. 

Applicable Area

South Beach
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds?
No No 

Strategic Connection

Prosperity - Market and promote Miami Beach as a world class arts, culture, and quality entertainment destination.
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
Attachment A - Botero on Lincoln RoadMemo
Attachment B- Erlich Sand CarsMemo