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Collaborative Bridge Project - Longmont, CO

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Description

2015 Bridge Collaboration

call to artists 

 

The Art in Public Places Commission of the City of Longmont (Colorado) invites artists from Colorado plus neighboring states to apply for a bridge pedestal project.

In September 2013, Longmont and its infrastructure were deeply impacted by a flood event. The flood cut the City essentially in half, making it impossible for anyone to cross the river for several days as water from the rivers surpassed all of the North/South bridges through town, necessitating many many miles of detours for motorists and emergency personnel to simply cross a street or two.

While several of the bridges were already being designed to be replaced, the flood event expedited the need for even more bridge replacement and construction. The first bridge that will be replaced is Highway 287, or Main Street, over the St. Vrain Creek.

287 is a State highway that runs from the Wyoming border (and beyond to the North) to Denver at Highway 6 to the South spanning 102 miles between these areas and connecting more than 10 Cities.

Eligibility:

Artists from Colorado and any state that borders Colorado are invited to apply for this project.  Artists must have experience in successfully completing large scale projects of $100,000 or more.  Artist must be able to provide certificate of insurance and will work closely with structural engineer and project team on design elements to ensure compliance with CDOT and other design elements.  Successful installations of similar scale will be considered favorably.

Timeline:

Call to Artists will be release on June 25, 2015.
Submissions due: July 20, 2015
Three finalists notified: July 31, 2015
Artists’ orientation with project management team: August 10 (week of)
Artists’ presentation: September 16
Winner announced: October 1
Contract negotiations/signing: October 1
Fabrication: November 1, 2015 - May 1, 2016
Delivery & Installation – Summer 2016.

Art in Public Places (AIPP)

In 1988, City Council passed an ordinance providing 1% of Capital Improvement Projects of more than $50,000 be set aside in a special fund for public artwork. Since that time, the City of Longmont has acquired a collection of more than 65 permanent installations throughout the City. Some artworks reside in parks, some adorn the public buildings that are frequented by Community members, and others welcome residents and visitors at Gateway entrances or along the trails of the greenways.

Additionally in 2006, Art in Public Places started a temporary art program that showcases Colorado artists’ work for up to one year in various locations, bringing up to 10 pieces of artwork each year.

In 2011, Longmont started a Shock Art program, where AIPP works closely with Longmont Power and Communications to select switchgear boxes to be painted.  Local artists submit their designs for the entire community to vote for their favorites. These creative designs are then transformed onto pre-selected utility boxes throughout the City for all to enjoy!

Members from the community are encouraged to participate in the selection process of the artwork, either by submitting an application to sit on a smaller selection panel, or, for the larger projects, attend the presentations of the artists and submit comments and questions for further review by the smaller selection panel and AIPP Commission.

Partners:

Art in Public Places is partnering with other City departments on this project, as Public Works Natural Resources is overseeing the bridge and road project.  Additionally, Ventures and Longmont Downtown Development Authority are committed partners.

The project:

This bridge will provide a gateway opportunity to the downtown Creative District as recently recognized by Colorado Creative Industries.  This particular area of roadway (state highway) sees approximately 43,000 cars per day, as counted in a 2013 traffic count.  Numbers will likely rise once construction is complete and capacity for more vehicles increases.

Longmont’s Creative District became recognized by Colorado Creative Industries in 2014.  This historic downtown area boasts 19 galleries, six craft breweries, 40 independently owned creative dining establishments, featuring everything from specialty pizza to candy and cupcake shops, gluten free restaurants, coffee shops and brewpubs.  Public art adorns the main streets and alley ways of the District, and events and festivals are seasonally abundant, providing opportunities for buskers, musicians and more to show their crafts.  Two theaters provide short run performances for all ages and a new 250 seat Auditorium has just opened at the Longmont Museum, south of town and annexed into the Creative District.

Underneath this bridge is the mighty St. Vrain river, as well as the St. Vrain greenway, a multi use trail that extends from Airport Road on the West side of town (approximately three miles from site) to Longmont’s historic and iconic Sandstone Ranch to the East (4.5 miles on trail) as well as offering connecting trails to Boulder to the Southwest and McIntosh lake to the North.  It was one of the most traveled routes by bicycle for commuters, families and tourists pre-flood, as well as runners and walkers (dogs and people).  This particular section of trail has not been repaired since the flood, though most of the adjoining trails have been. (https://longmontco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/StorytellingTextLegend/index.html?appid=befda9b57f6c4b4fba8ef77f224c1175 will display all updated trail closures due to flood 2013)

Six masonry pedestals (exact materials TBD) will adorn the bridge design on Highway 287. The two larger ones on the North ends will be available for proposed artwork, as will the four smaller ones, “in the middle.”  Artist may propose artwork for the two large pedestals or for all six. The hope is that the artwork will be seen by vehicles traveling over the bridge as well as pedestrians walking over the bridge or bicyclists or pedestrians using the greenway and passing underneath the bridge.

Qualifications:

Preference will be given to artists who have experience in working collaboratively with design teams as well as government entities.  Additionally, large scale project work is preferred.

Parameters:

CDOT will be kept abreast of all proposals of artwork and ultimately will have final approval in the artwork that is proposed and installed for this site. Artist must be willing to work with CDOT, within their parameters to comply with their guidelines. A link to the CDOT public art guidelines in the ROW can be found here:https://www.codot.gov/library/traffic/traffic-manuals-guidelines/fed-state-co-traffic-manuals/art-in-the-public-right-of-way-guidelines-2008.

Materials must be durable, low to no maintenance, and must be able to withstand the extreme Colorado conditions and temperatures, including intense sunlight, wind speeds and freeze/thaw patterns often seen here.  All designs will be reviewed and stamped by a Certified Structural Engineer, as well as approved by CDOT.

Exact installation design and measurements will be provided to all finalists.  At this time, no specifics are available.

Budget:

$150,000 has been allocated for this project by Art in Public Places. Additional funds are being sought for up to a total of $200,000.

Process:

Following the review of all submissions, a selection panel, comprised of community members as well as project team members will select up to five finalists who will be invited to Longmont to view the site, meet with the Project team and be provided an overview of the larger project.  A small travel stipend will be provided.  If artists are not able to attend, they may attend via skype, and all attempts will be made to provide accurate and recent photos of the site - current, past and future, as well as being provided with any/all drawings as provided by the architectural/landscape architectural team.

Finalists will have five weeks to prepare a proposal, for which a $1500 stipend will be provided post-presentation.  Additionally, any artist traveling from more than 100 miles may be eligible for a travel stipend (TBD).

Finalists will make a presentation at a Community event held at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center Auditorium on September 16.  This event will be open to the public, though Q & As will not be held publicly until the following morning.

Winner will be announced on September 18.

Applications are ONLY being accepted through CaFE

 

 

Details
What   Art Opportunities, Visual Art
When   June 25, 2015 - July 20, 2015
Where   400 Quail Road, longmont, CO
Cost   Free
Contact   lauren.greenfield@longmontcolorado.gov
Website   longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-a-d/community-services-department/art-in-public-places/upcoming-aipp-