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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept a donation of a sculpture to be installed in the 4900 block of Government Road, a road mural to be installed at the intersection of National Street and Government Road, and maintenance and removal services, all valued at the total amount of approximately $65,000.00, from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Inc. for the purpose of supporting the Greening Greater Fulton project. (7th District)
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for an on behalf of the City of Richmond, is hereby authorized to accept a donation of a sculpture to be installed in the 4900 block of Government Road, a road mural to be installed at the intersection of National Street and Government Road, and maintenance and removal services, all valued at the total amount of approximately $65,000.00, from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Inc.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
O&R Transmittal
DATE: October 26, 2023
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Levar M. Stoney, Mayor
THROUGH: J.E. Lincoln Saunders, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Kevin J. Vonck, Director of Planning & Development Review
RE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept a donation of a sculpture to be installed in the 4900 block of Government Road, a road mural to be installed at the intersection of National Street and Government Road, and maintenance and removal services, all valued at the total amount of approximately $65,000.00, from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Inc. for the purpose of supporting the Greening Greater Fulton project.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To accept two works of art being offered to the City by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay as part of the Greening Greater Fulton project along Government Road.
BACKGROUND: The proposed gifts of art are an integral part of the Greening Greater Fulton Project, a multi-year effort spearheaded by Innovate Fulton, Inc, a grassroots 501(c)(3). The Gifts include (1) a community-selected sculpture by Mark Lively and Tim Harper designed to illustrate the water cycle and highlighting the importance of the stormwater management improvements being implemented along Government Road as part of the larger Greening Greater Fulton Project and (2) a road mural by Hamilton Glass at the intersection of National Street and Government Road providing a complementary welcoming message into the Greater Fulton area. As part of the gift, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has agreed to maintain the road mural for two years after which they will cover the cost of having it removed.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Alliance attended and presented at all RVAH2O stakeholder meetings and reached out to the City on a regular and frequent basis. Additionally, the Alliance hosted quarterly meetings of the East End Green Infrastructure Collaborative.
Led by Innovate Fulton, extensive community outreach has been done and will continue throughout the project duration. Along with surveys and focus groups, all community feedback was analyzed and brought to the forefront three primary areas of concern:
1. Green infrastructure improvements are needed as stormwater runoff impedes walkability
2. A pressing need for more trees, public art, and new stores
3. Crumbling infrastructure was seen as a roadblock to business attraction
Over 2,500 door hangers were distributed by Groundwork RVA in February 2021 to the homes and apartment complexes in the neighborhood. These door hangers asked a series of questions regarding improvements to Government Road through greening and beautification projects as well as public art.
Design concepts and renderings of the green street were presented to the community at Fulton GreenFest on June 25, 2022. The artists also presented three sculpture ideas at the festival, and community members were asked to vote to determine the winning concept.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Richmond 300 Master Plan and Richmond Public Art Master Plan; The City Planning Commission and Public Art Commission have both recommended acceptance of these gifts.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Department of Planning and Development Review will not incur any immediate costs. The impact to the City’s future fiscal years is estimated at no more than $1,000 over the next ten years for general maintenance of the sculpture. Other indirect costs include staff time for processing the request; preparation of draft ordinance; and working the Alliance of the Chesapeake Bay to complete an artists’ contracts in accordance with the conditions of approval per the City Planning Commission.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: November 13, 2023
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: December 11, 2023
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: None
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of Chief Administrative Office
Law Department (for review of draft ordinance)
Department of Public Works (permitting)
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: ORD. 1997-003-41
ATTACHMENTS: Gift of Art Forms, Ordinance
STAFF: Matthew Ebinger, Planning Supervisor, Land Use Administration 646-6308
Susan Glasser, Public Art Commission Secretary 646-6304