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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - METROLINK PUBLIC ART PROJ (2)NEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: AGENDA REPORT November 9, 1993 Metrolink Public Art Project City Manager City Manager Item to be presented Cecilia Burda In August 1992, the City Council approved a cost sharing agreement between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City. Since that time the following has been accomplished: 1. Formation of a Community Advisory Committee. Members Include Ellie Knapp, Resident, Thomas Lawson, Dean of Art, California Institute of the Arts, Marilyn Metters, Art Professor, College of the Canyons, Deborah Hild, Teacher, Wm. S. Hart Union High School District, Louis Brathwalte, Santa Clarlta Arts Council, Alan Nakagawa, LACMTA Project Manager and staff, Cecilia Burda. 2. Development of an Art Plan. 3. Development of a Request for Proposal. This proposal was sent to over 1200 artists throughout the determined area, as well as to 125 local artists. 4. The committee reviewed thirty-nine proposals on Saturday, September 11, 1993. The committee chose the following six finalists, Luciano Perna (local), Barbara Field, Viqui McCasiln, Mosalco Group, Roberto DelGado, Cindy Bernard and Annetta Kapon. Staff will present slides of the six finalists past work, as well as review the Initial proposals for each artist. The artists will be presenting their final proposals to the advisory committee on January 13, 1994. Recommendation Staff recommends that City Council receive and file this Information. Attachment City of Santa Clarha Transit Center Public Art Plan Request for Proposal p CITY OF SANTA CLARITA TRANSIT CENTER PUBLIC ART PLAN JUNE 1993 I. INTRODUCTION The City of Santa Clarita's objective in designing the Transit Center is to create an attractive facility that the community will be proud of. The Center design combines unique architectural design and functionality to produce a facility that is both pleasing to look at and easy to use. The inclusion of art in this facility will add to the aesthetic value of the Center and will enhance the experience of using the facility. Similarly, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), in keeping with its mission to provide improved mobility for the people of Los Angeles County, has adopted a public art policy which will provide for the creation of works of art throughout the rail transit system. The MTA recognizes that the inclusion of public art in public spaces creates a more inviting environment; enlivening a functional world and contributing to a positive experience for the System's riders. i This document outlines the City's goals, responsibilities, and the selection process for the public art that will beintegrated into the Transit Center. H. COMMUNITY PROFILE HISTORY The Santa Clarita Valley is located along a natural migration route between the coastal and desert areas of Southern California. The region's natural streams and oak woodlands provided dependable sources of food and water for sustenance plant and animal life. These factors attracted people to settle in this Valley for more than 1,500 years. Native Americans of the Tataviam tribe were the fust inhabitants of the Santa Clarita Valley. The Tataviam, or Allikliks, arrived in the Valley about 500 A.D. during the Shoshonean migration westward =from the continent's interior. Shoshonean is the dialect of the Takic subfamily of the Uto-Axtecan language group. Although this total population probably never reached more than 500 people, the Tataviam people settled 22 semi-permanent villages each consisting of 10 to 20 simple reed huts. In many of the canyon areas near the villages, some of the place names used today, such as Castaic, Piru, and Hasley (Islay), reflect the local significance of the Tamviam culture. The Santa Clarita Valley's extensive history includes the early settlement of California, the initial development of CaIifornia's resources, and the historic filming sites for Hollywood "westerns". An appendix listing the many sites of historical significance can be found at the rear of this document. On March 9, 1842, after falling asleep under a massive oak tree in Live Oak Canyon, Juan Francisco de Gracia Lopez awoke and discovered gold in the roots of a wild onion. Lopez' discovery set off California's first gold rush and later bestoed California Historic Landmark status on the Oak of the Golden Dream. A number of historic trails cross the Santa Clarita Valley. In 1769, Captain Don Gaspar de Portola blazed the trail which would become El Camino Viejo (The Old Road), on his famous expedition to found San Diego and Monterey. In 1722, Don Pedro Fages, commander of the Presidio of San Diego, traveled through Castaic Junction and Soledad Canyon in search of Army deserters. John C. Fremont arrived at Castaic Junction with his "Buckskin Battalion" in 1847, after following the future route of SR -126 from Ventura. After camping for 2 days in the Santa Clarita Valley, he crossed. into the San Fernando Valley near the present alignment of Sierra Highway where he accepted the surrender of Cafifomia from General Andres Pico. The crossing through the mountains occurred at what is now known as Fremont Pass. In 1854, Phineas Banning made a 30 -foot cut in the pass to:allow the first stagecoach through the pass. J. The Butterfield Overland Stage took the "Great Southern" or "Oxbow" route from St. Louis to San Francisco over Fremont Pass from 1858 until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. In 1863, General Edward F. Beale cut a 90 -foot passageway, known as "Beale's Cut", through the pass between SR -14 and Sierra Highway to improve the roadway. Beale's Cut was a vital route that served the Southern California area until it was bypassed by the Newhall Tunnel in 1910. By 1915, the "Ridge Route" extended from Newhall Tunnel to the San Joaquin Valley. The San Fernando Railroad Tunnel, the fourth longest tunnel in the world when it was built in 1876, is still used by the Southern Pacific Railroad. During the years prior to World War II an agricultural and cattle producing lifestyle prevailed in the Santa Clarita Valley. This character existed until the mid -sixties when the Newhall Land and Farming Company created the Master Planned Community of Valencia. This ushered in the housing boom that created the Valley as it exists today. The community of Newhall contains many notable Hollywood movie sets and is the site of the Western Walk of Fame. Some of the western relics in downtown Newhall include the "Tom Mix cottages" used as housing for the early motion picture industry, the American Theater (originally the Tumbleweed Theater) designed by S. Charles Lee (architect, of Grauman's Chinese Theater), "Melody Ranch", formerly owned by Gene Autry and the set for the television series "Gunsmoke", and the estate of William S. Hart silent screen era wester film star. Newhall Avenue, the site of many Tom Mix adventures, was once known as "Mixville". Heritage 2 Junction at 24107 San Femando Road has been set aside for the preservation of these and other historic structures:,_ TODAY Today the Santa Clarita Valley provides a high quality of life for its residents. The City of Santa Clarita incorporated on December 5, 1987. The incorporation combined the communities of Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, and Valencia. 'Since incorporationthe City has received recognition as a good, safe place to live and raise a family. The City has also received many awards for its high quality of government. A few of the awards and recognitions include: Tree City USA, California Healthy Cities designation, Excellence in Financial Reporting 5 years in a row, Public Participation Programming, Community Strategic Planning, and Ridgeline Preservation. III. SITE DESCRIPTION The Santa Clarita Transit Center is located on the south side of Soledad Canyon Road east of the Saugus Speedway. The facility consists of a Metrolink Rail platform, covered waiting areas, restrooms, a large parking lot with trees planted strategically for shade, landscaping, and a roadway for bus pick=up and delivery of passengers. The property surrounding the Transit Center is quite barren. Until development of the surrounding property the Transit Center will remain as such. The site is located in the "City Center" which is located in the center of the Valley and the City. The City Center was conceived as an information center including libraries, museums, cultural arts centers, education, conference centers, govemment (City Hall), and other offices and services grouped together with an interesting mix of shops, restaurants, plazas, and other uses. The Transit Center site is located near Soledad Canyon Road and with just a little higher elevation. The.other portions of the City Center, on the other hand, will be located on the upper elevations of the site, providing exceptional views of the Valley. A Master Plan of the site is available. The larger City Center site is surrounded by open space, residential suburban, commercial office, and industrial land uses. IV. PUBLIC ART PROCESS A. Goals of the Plan * To crdate a pleasing atmosphere for commuters and Santa Clarita residents. * To help bolster the City's image. * To contribute to a sense of community identity and pride. * To make the Santa Clarita Transit Center a truly unique and memorable stop along the Metrolink Commuter rail line. * To give the rail station site landmark status within the region. 3 I B. Objectives * The art work should be of a high quality and should be visually pleasing. * The art should be well integrated into the design of the site. * The art work should be accessible to the users of the station. * To the greatest extent possible, the art work should be vandal resistant, durable (designed to last at least 40 years) and easy to maintain. C. Advisory Committee The Advisory Committee is a group of citizens appointed to recommend an artist and an artistic approach to the City Council for the Transit Center Public Art Project. The committee is made up of individuals representing different interests within the community. The following is a list of the committee members: Appointed Members: Ellen Nap, Resident, Rideshare Coordinator, City.of Burbank Deborah Hildmen, Art Teacher, Hart School District, Citizen Thomas Lawson, -Dean, Art School, California Institute of the Arts Louis Brathwaite, Planning Commissioner, City of Santa Clarita Marilyn Mathus, Art Professor, College of the Canyons, Citizen Amelia Hutchinson, Administrative Assistant, City of Santa Clarita r Staff Members: Allen Nakagawa, Metrolink Public Art Project Manager, LACMTA Cecilia Burda, Recreation Superintendent, City of Santa Clarita The Committee is responsible for the selection process and meeting all of the requirements of the LACMTA relating to this project. D. Artist Selection Process I. Request for Proposals The Committee will create a one page Request for Proposals (RFP) and send it to artists on the LACMTA artists list and to local artists. The RFP will contain a brief statement of the project, requirements for submittal of qualifications, a description of the selection process, and timelines. 2. Artist Submittals Interested artists will submit a resume, samples of their work in the form of slides, and a one page description of the approach the artist would use for this project. 4 3. Selection of the "Short -List" The Committee will review the submittals and select 3-5 artists to interview. The selection criteria will be as follows: a) The art must reflect/relate to the Community. b) The artist must use low maintenance and vandal proof materials. C) The artist must create the piece to last at least 40 years. d) Individual. judgement of the Committee members based on their knowledge of art and the Community. 4. Mid -Point Review Allen Nakagawa, of the LACMTA, will conduct a mid -point review of the artists proposal to insure that basic requirements for safety and materials are being met. 5. Interviews The Committee will interview 3-5 artists. The artists will be asked to make a 15 minute presentation of their proposed work. The Committee and the artist will take another 15 minutes for questions and answers. J 6. Selection The Committee will select the artist who they will recommend to the City Council for commissioning to create the public art at the Transit Center. 6. Design Fee Each artist who presents their proposal to the Committeewill be paid $500, except for the artist who is selected for recommendation to the City Council. 8. City Council The Committee and the final artist will make a presentation to the City Council. The presentation will include an introduction by the Committee outlining the planning and selection process, a presentation by the artist of his/her proposed work at the Transit Center, and a question and answer session. If the City Council accepts the Committee's recommendation and approve of the artist and his/her proposal the artist will be commissioned. If the artist is rejected, the artist will receive the $500 design fee given to the finalist. 5 E. Selection of Art Work Once chosen, the artist will be asked to prepare a preliminary concept design for review by the Committee. The artist is expected to work in close collaboration with the Committee, the LACMTA Project Manager, and the public in creating an art work that will be compatible with the overall design of the Transit Center facility. The artist should also research the history and composition of the Community prior to creating the preliminary design. A recommendation for final approval of the art work will be made by the Committee, with the City Council having authority over the final.decision. F. Budget The preliminary budget for the public art project is estimated to be $60,000 and is shared between the City and the LACMTA as follows: $ 27,500 City of Santa Clarita $ 27,500 LACMTA $ 5,000 Project Management $ 60,000 Total G. Tentative Timeline J The public art selection process will proceed as follows: #1. June 30, 1993 #2. August 31, 1993 #3. September 11, 1993 #4. January 13, 1994 #5, February 1, 1994 #6. March 8, 1994 #7. April 12, 1994 #8. Summer 1994 Send RFPs RFPs Due Select Finalists Interviews/Finalist Presentations Artist Announced Presentation to City Council Preliminary Concept Due Construction/Installation V. COMMUNrfY BENEFITS The importance of the arts to local government was summed up in the National League of Cities Municipal Policy Statement of 1977: "The arts are a critical element in the survival of cities. If we are to achieve an improved quality of life for the nation's urban population, all levels of government must recognize the arts as an essential service. All men, women and children should have the opportunity to experience the arts in their: daily lives." It is then the belief of the City that the inclusion of public art into the Transit Center is important for the following reasons: * The art will provide an enriching cultural experience, and therefore an overall improved quality of life for the citizens of Santa Clarita. * The art will strengthen community identity and pride. * The art will enhance and enliven the everyday act of commuting and expand the public's experience of art. * The art will demonstrate a commitment to and acknowledgement of the importance of rapid transit in everyday life into the future. * Public art represents an essential public good. Moreover, by creating a more inviting Transit Station experience, there is anticipation that use of the facility will increase. Increased use has the effect of improving air quality, traffic congestion, and commuter peace of mind. Increased use will also assist the LACMTA in reaching its ridership goals. , , Finally, it is the City's hope that the creation of an impressive Transit Station will indirectly result in financial benefits to the Community by stimulating private investment in the immediate and surrounding areas. 7 APPENDIX Site: Oak of the Golden Dream (State Historical Landmark No. 168) Location Map: I Historical Significance: Gold was first discovered in California under this tree in 1842. Site: Pioneer Oil Refinery (State Historical Landmark No. 172) 23552 Pine Street, Newhall Location Map: 2 Historical Significance: This is this oldest existing oil refinery in the world. Site: Pico No. 4 (State Historical Landmark No. 516) (National Register of Historical Places) 27201 West Pico Canyon, Newhall Location Map: 3 Historical Significance: First successful oil well in California and longest producing commercial oil well in the world in 1876 by California Star Oil Company, a predecessor of Standard Oil. Site: Mentryville (State Historical Landmark No. 516-2) 27201 West Pico Canyon, Newhall Location Map: 4 Historical Significance: The town grew around Pico No. 4 for derrick workers. Three buildings remain. Many others have been relocated to Newhall. She: Assistencia/Rancho San Francisco (State Historical Landmark No. 556) west of Magic Mountain Parkway near I.126 (Plaque located at Blue Moon Restaurant) Castaic Location Map: 5 Historical Significance: The Santa Clara River Valley was a part of Mission San Fernando in 1797. A granery and Assistencia (mission) was established here in 1804 Site: Lang Station (State Historical Landmark No. 590) east of Lang Station Road Location Map: 6 Historical Significance: A health spa, hotel, and freight station were established here in 1871. In 1876, a golden spike was driven connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles by rail. Only relics of the station remain. Site: Lyon Station/Eternal Valley Cemetery (State Historical Landmark No. 688) 23287 Sierra Highway, Newhall Location Map: 7 Historical Significance: A stage stop was built here in 1852. It was used by the Butterfield Overland State line from 1857 to 1861 as a resting place for Dragoons and camel caravans from Fort Tejon. Many pioneers are buried here in the Eternal Valley Cemetery. Site: Saint Frances Dam Disaster Site (State Historical Landmark No. 919) DWP Power Plant 2 San Francisquito Canyon Road Location Map: 8 Historical Significance: On March 12, 1928 the dam, a part of the Los Angeles aqueduct at San Francisquito Canyon, collapsed, spilling over 12 billion gallons of water into the Valley and killing 450 people. Site: Pardee House/Good Templar's (State Point of Historical Interest) 24275 Walnut Street, Newhall Location Map: 9 Historical Signiricance: Site: 22621 13tH Street (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: 9 Historical Significance: , Single -Family dwelling: Built in February 1873 for Adam Malinszewski at Lyon's Station; moved by J.O. Newhall to San Fernando Road in the community of Newhall about 1879. At the turn of the century, it was acquired by the Frew family, who were pioneer blacksmiths, then 'Mr. Ed Jauregui, who moved it to its present location. Site: 24148 Pine Street (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: . 9 Historical Significance: Single -Family dwelling: Constructed in 1878 by California Star Oil Company as a guest house for visiting executives and politicians. Standard Oil sold it to Josh Woodbridge, who lived there until his death in 1950. Site: 24522 Spruce Street 1 (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: Historical Significance: Commercial structure: (Commonly known as "The Hoosegow"). Bids for a jail house were opened February 20, 1906, the result being this building of concrete in the Spanish Mission style. It retains to this day the original cell doors and barred windows. It served as a jail/constable's office until 1926, when a sheriffs substation was opened. Site: 24427 Chestnut (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: 9 Historical Significance: Single -Family dwelling: Built circa 1908 as a dwelling for the Biscailuz family. Eugene Biscailuz later became Los Angeles county Sheriff. Cowboy staff and rodeo rider Bob Anderson was the second owner, followed by ron- in -law Pablo Arujo, renowned teamster -mule skinner. Site: 24311-24313 San Fernando Road (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: 9 Historical Significance: Commercial structure: Thomas M. Frew arrived in Newhall in 1891, and opened a blacksmith shop on Railroad Avenue. The business moved to this location in 1910, when Mr. Frew built a shop in the Mission Revival style. This shop was expanded in 1924. His son, Thomas Frew, Jr. changed it over to welding and a machine shop. Site: 22502-22510 Fifth Street• (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: Historical Significance: Commercial structure: Newhall Ice Company. This structure was built in 1922 by Fred Lamkin as a warehouse and storage yard. Lamkin came to Newhall in 1917, opening a garage facing San Fernando Road. Shortly after construction, the warehouse was converted into an ice house, which is still in operation. Site: 24244 Walnut Street (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: Historical Significance: Church of Christ: The First Baptist Church of Newhall was erected in 1940 under the direction of Leroy Hux, Paster. It was later acquired by the Seventh Day Adventists and Finally, the Church of Christ. Site: 22616 Ninth Street (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: 9 Historical Significance: Single -Family dwelling: This building was originally built about 1908 as a residence for Ray Osborne, Superintendent of the Sterline Borax Works in Tick Canyon. It was located in the small mining town of Lang in Canyon Country. It was moved to this location in 1928. Site: 24287 Newhall Avenue (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: 9 Historical Significance: Single -Family dwelling: California Bungalow style house built in early 1910s. Commonly known as Erwin House. Unusual in design, one of the. last bungalows left in Santa Clarita. Site: 22506 6th Street (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: Historical Significance: Commercial building: Structure was erected by Albert Swall in 1902 facing San Fernando Road as a rental. In 1925, it was moved to the present location and a year later taken over by the Los Angeles County Sheriff as the first substation in.the Santa Clarita Valley. Swall developed San Fernando Road as a business district. It became the circulation office for the Newhall Signal during the 1960s, until they vacated in 1986. J Site: 24238 San Fernando Road (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: Historical Significance: Commercial building: Sheriff's deputies replaced the old constabulary (and jail) in 1926, building Substation No. 6 and staffing it with eight men commanded by Captain Jeb Stewart. This was the second jail in what is now known as Santa Clarita. The Newhall Signal took over the building in 1968, using it as a "back shop" until they moved in 1986. Site: 24307 Railroad Avenue (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: 9 Historical Significance: Commercial building: Commonly knows as "Ye Old Courthouse." The Newhall Masonic Building Company, Ltd. was incorporated in 1931 and completed this two-story County project in 1932. The courthouse occupied the ground floor, and the Masonic Lodge the second story. Lumber from the older Mayhue building was used, including the floor of the Hap•A•Land Dance hall. The court moved to Valencia in 1968 and the courtroom became offices. Site: 24247-24251 San Fernando Road (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: Historical Significance: Commercial structures (7): Commonly known as the Tom Mix Cottages. The small building at 24247 was built by Halsey W. Russell in 1919. In 1922, the six other cottages were added, forming a motor court catering to drivers on the old Ridge Route. These structures were also used by motion picture people as housing during the filming of stories in this area near "Mixville." Tom Mix used one as a dressing room on several occasions. Site: William S. Hart Park and Museum (State Point of Historical Interest) 24151 San Fernando Road, Newhall Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: The Hart mansion, built in 1928, was filled with western art and artifacts. Many western movies have been filmed here. Site: Saugus Depot (State Point of Historical Interest) 24107 San Fernando Road, Newhall Lo©tion Map: 10 Historical Significance: The last remaining railroad depot in the Valley. Built in 1887 by Southern Pacific, completing the Sur line to Ventura. The structure was moved to Hart Park. Site: Heritage Junction Historical Park (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map: Historical Significance Site: Newhall Raneh House Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: Built in 1861 (and enlarged in 1891) as the headquarters of Rancho San Francisco, the original land grant comprising all of Valencia and some of Castaic. This ranch was. owned by Henry Mayo Newhall and was administered by his son, George. Originally located in sight of Assistencia de San Francisco (on what is now Six Flags Magic Mountain property), this structure was moved into Heritage Junction in August 1990. Site: Mitchell Adobe Schoolhouse Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: Colonel Thomas Findley Mitchell, an officer of the Mexican -American Way, homesteaded Sulphur Springs in the 1860s, building an adobe that served as his family's home. One room of the adobe was used as a schoolhouse for the local children, the first in the area and the home of the second oldest school district in Los Angeles County. In 1986, the adobe was rescued from destruction and moved brick by brick to Heritage Junction, where it has been rebuilt. Site: Kingsburry House J • Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: This house was built in the 1890s as a residence in the downtown Newhall area, and was originally on Walnut Street near Market. It is a one-story colonial Revival cottage with a porch supported by four turned columns. Site. Kingsburry House Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: The house is largely intact with original features, including double -hung windows. It was moved to Heritage Junction in 1987. Site: Callahan's Schoolhouse Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: This structure originated at Callahan's Old West, a Westerntownlamusement area that operated in the 1920s as the Mission Village in Santa Monica, and was relocated to Mint Canyon when the freeway was built in the 1960s. It was built to house six antique school desks, which came from a mining camp in Vallejo. It also contains a podium and blackboard to complete its function as a one -room schoolhouse. It was moved to Heritage Junction in 1987. Site: Ramona Chapel Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: Designed by Carrie Jacobs Bond, noted composer, this chapel was based on the one at Rancho Camulos made famous in Helen Hunt Jackson's novel "Ramona." It .was built in 1926 as part of the Mission Village in Santa Monica, and Callahan's Old West when it was moved in the 1960s to accommodate the freeway. Wall paintings are by Frank Tinney Johnson. The altar is said to be over 200 years old, and the wooden pews date back to 1858. The chapel was moved to Heritage Junction in 1987. Site: Edison House Location Map: 10 Historical Significance: This Bavarian -style structure was built in 1925 as a part of a group of houses provided for Edison workers assigned to the Saugus Substation: In 1928, when the St: Francis Dam broke and flooded the area, killing 450 people, these structures escaped damage. After years as residences for a succession of Edison employees, the cottages became property of the Newhall Land and Farming Company, who demolished the other six cottages. This house, the best of the lot, was moved to Heritage Junction in 1989. Site: Beale's Cut (State Point of Sistorical Interest) Adjacent to Sierra Highway near San Fernando Road, Newhall Location Map: 12 Historical Significance: General Edward Beale widened Fremont's Pass between I-14 and Sierra Highway to 90 feet in 1863. He operated a toll booth at the pass for 20 years. The Newhall Tunnel bypassed Beale's Cut in 1910. Site: Melody Ranch (City Point of Historical Interest) Newhall Location Map- Il Historical Significance: Rancho Placeritos was developed by Ernie Hickson and Trem Carr of Monogram Pictures in 1930 consisting of authentic Western buildings. Four years later, Hickson moved the collection from the present day Golden Oak Ranch to the location at Placenta Canyon and Oak Creek Canyon Roads. It was also known as the Monogram Ranch as so many of the company's westerns were filmed there. From 1949 to 1951, it was the scene of Newhall's Old West 4th of July Celebration, when it became "Slippery Gulch." Purchased by Gene Autry in 1952, the name changed to Melody Ranch, with many early television programs using its sets, including the long-running "Gunsmoke." Most of the structures burned down in October of 1962. The trademark Spanish -style arches and parts of the main street and Mexican village are still intact. Current owners have extensive plans for rehabilitation and restoration to a working film location. AH:dls CMnhYwk.ah