HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - OLD TOWN NEWHALL ROUNDABOUT (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT
Agenda Item: 17
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
July 12, 2011
Marsha McLean
OLD TOWN NEWHALL ROUNDABOUT PUBLIC ART
City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council issue a Request for Qualifications for Old Town Newhall Roundabout public art
piece and define, the type of art for the roundabout.
2. City Council direct the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan Sub -Committee to oversee the
selection process for the artist and artwork, and return to the City Council with a
recommendation.
3. City Council direct the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan Sub -Committee to seek funding
from local partners to increase the budget for the roundabout. I
BACKGROUND
Since the adoption of the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan in 2005, the City
Council/Redevelopment Agency has been actively implementing revitalization efforts for Old
Town Newhall. Some of the accomplishments to date include road realignments, completion
of the streetscape on Main Street, design and start of construction for the library, along with
ongoing efforts to host a variety of events in Old Town Newhall, designed to reinvigorate the
business community.
One of the priorities for the revitalization of Old Town Newhall identified in the Specific Plan
was to change the character of the area, by reconfiguring traffic flow with the construction of a
roundabout at the intersection of 5th Street, Newhall Avenue, and Main Street. The roundabout
will not only serve as a traffic calming effort for this pedestrian -friendly walkable community,
but it also as a southern gateway into Old Town Newhall. Within this roundabout will be an
iconic piece of public art that will symbolize Old Town Newhall's heritage. Considering the
millions of dollars the City Council/Redevelopment Agency has invested in Old Town Newhall,
it would be appropriate for the Council to define the type of art, and serve as the lead for the
selection of the artist and artwork for the roundabout. Once the Council has defined the type of
artwork and Requests for Qualifications have been received, the Downtown Newhall Specific
Plan Council sub -committee will bring recommendations to the full City Council regarding the
selection of an artist and artwork.
Finally, the current budget of $45,000 for the art piece is not sufficient to make the statement or
have the impact that the Council is attempting to make for this area. As such, the Downtown
Newhall Specific Plan Council sub -committee should seek funding from other local groups to
increase the budget for the artwork.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None by this action.