west end public plaza art - downtown spokane...
TRANSCRIPT
West end Public Plaza art
The City of Spokane is developing a public green space/plaza located along Adams Street between 1st and Sprague Avenues. The plaza will be built over underground utility infrastructure and storage tanks that will protect the Spokane River from pollutants and excess stormwater run-off. The plaza will:• House transit stops on north and south ends for
the proposed Spokane Transit Authority’s (STA) Central City Line;
• Host community gatherings, music, and cultural events programmed by the Downtown Spokane Partnership and others;
• Strengthen the district’s public art presence with piece(s) by regional artist Susan Zoccolo;
• Build on the unique place of the west end, both historic and present day; and
• Include corresponding design elements for the STA transit stops, including transit shelters, railings, benches, bike racks and wayfinding.
The West End Public Plaza will be a perfect example of how placemaking can encourage greater connectivity, accessibility, economic opportunity, and community pride. It will create a vibrant hub in downtown Spokane.The following are added benefits of the plaza:• Create a well-programmed activity center for the
west end of downtown;• Add to local property values through a beautifully
designed green space;• Increase overall safety; • Incorporate public art; • Inspire continued growth in the district by
building on place, pride, and community; and• Provide a new draw for customers to support local
businesses.
initial art design concePtsBetween 1890 and 1950, downtown Spokane’s west end was built up around the railroad and the later arrival of the automobile. The proximity of the rail line allowed for cars and replacement parts to be shipped in on the rail from Detroit factories, then distributed and sold in the west end. Acknowledging and understanding the west end’s history is a crucial part of selecting an artist for the public art plan. Zoccola's proposal features three-dimensional, wheel-inspired sculptures that reference the neighborhood’s past. The sculptures will be integrated into two entry trellises at the north and south end of the plaza site. Zoccola's proposed sculptures feature bright, playful colors, which will draw people into the plaza, enliven the space, and become a source of community pride for the entire neighborhood. The artist expressed a genuine desire to work collaboratively, and she will meet with neighborhood stakeholders to ensure the community is engaged, as well as work with the City of Spokane landscape architects to integrate the artwork into the plaza.
neighborhood Plaza
April 2017 City of Spokane begins
construction on future West End Plaza
MAy 2017 Initial design phase for West
End Plaza Public Art
OctOber 2017 Artist Susan Zoccolla submits full design of West End Plaza
Public Art
JAnuAry 2018 Call for proposals for the
design phase of art for West End STA stations
Spring- SuMMer 2018 Construction and fabrication of
Plaza art pieces
SepteMber 2018 Installation of public art
OctOber 2018 West End Plaza project
completed
JAnuAry 2019 Full design phase for art
elements of West End STA stations
2019-2020 Shelters constructed by STA
in collaboration with selected artist
timeline
Bower; Tri-Met Orange Line, 2015, Portland, OregonSculpture for the Park Ave/Oak Grove light rail station in Portland, OR. This arching canopy
sculpture is sited in a large plaza and serves as an iconic gathering place for the community. The laser jet cut metal of the canopies, with patterns of oak leaf venation, create dynamic shadows. Lights integrated into the plaza for Bower were designed to create a dramatic presence at night.
To make the west end vision a reality, we are seeking financial partnership with west end businesses and property owners ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Money will support the fabrication, and installation of multiple public art pieces into the West End Plaza, as well as artistic elements to be integrated into the two transit stations serving the west end neighborhood and downtown Spokane. All contributors to the art piece(s) will be recognized in the plaza through a commemorative plaque.
The total budget for the West End Plaza public art piece, including art design for the Central City Line stations is approximately $80,000. Presently, there is a $25,000 commitment from the City of Spokane’s Citizen Parking Advisory Committee. These dollars are net parking revenue reinvested into the downtown.
creative Placemaking & PartnershiPs
Melissa Huggins Executive Director
Spokane [email protected]
509.321.9614
Juliet Sinisterra Economic Development Manager Downtown Spokane Partnership
Spokane Arts and the Downtown Spokane Partnership are two downtown nonprofits embracing the importance of public art in the Spokane area. Spokane Arts sees art as a cornerstone for a healthy city and region, while the
Downtown Spokane Partnership understands thoughtful urban art is a catalyst for economic development that adds to the overall vitality of a downtown.
GROW; CAMPBELL AVENUE PORTALS, 2016, Campbell
Avenue, Campbell, CAAn inviting pedestrian
gateway connecting two very different parts of the city. Ref-erencing the city of Campbell's
rich historical connection to farming and canning. The
colorful ecoresin lights act as a welcoming transitional portal
between the two districts.