HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0055) M&C 19-0391City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 12/17/19 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 19-0391
LOG NAME: 06REBY CARY YOUTH LIBRARY PUBLIC ART PROJECT
SUBJECT
Authorize Execution of an Artwork Commission Contract with Joe O'Connell Creative Machines, Inc. in an Amount Up to $300,662.36 for
Fabrication, Delivery, Installation and Contingencies for Artwork at the Reby Cary Youth Library, Located at 3851 East Lancaster Avenue, 76103,
and Find that the Use of Funds for Public Art for this Project Complies with the Voted Purpose of the Bond Funds (COUNCIL DISTRICT 8)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the execution of an Artwork Commission Contract with Joe O'Connell Creative Machines, Inc. in an amount up to $300,662.36 for
fabrication, delivery, installation and contingencies for artwork at the Reby Cary Youth Library; and
2. Find that the use of the funds for public art for this project complies with the voted purpose of the bond funds.
DISCUSSION:
Only Connect is an interactive, multi -faceted artwork designed by Joe O'Connell Creative Machines, Inc. specifically to engage youth ages 0 — 18
years old at the Reby Cary Youth Library (formerly referred to as the Eastside Family Library). Echoing connections between neurons as the brain
learns, individuals within a community, and subjects within the library from art history to comics, O'Connell's immersive artwork makes the process
of learning through connections an ever -evolving visual experience.
A network of several thousand colored glass spheres, connected by laser -cut stainless -steel lacework wrapped around stainless -steel rods, will
dance overhead throughout the collection space in the library while interspersed integrated LED lighting is driven by optical sensors. Beyond
simply viewing the work, patrons will have opportunities to create their own "light show" in the space: a zoomed -lens camera kiosk will be available
for visitors to directly project colors with the overhead lights. Additionally, a series of six [movable] hidden buttons will be placed within various
stacks at the library which, as discovered, will play unique pre-programmed light routines. After a special animation is finished or the camera
timeout period elapses, the system will enter a looped "idle animation" consisting of slow -moving sequences of colored light, which will continue to
play overnight.
The colorful interior sculpture is expected to be highly visible from East Lancaster Avenue, spanning 120' in length with its highest point 18'9"
above the floor and its lowest point 10'9" from floor. Furthering its presence, the organic design meanders from the library's interior space to the
exterior retaining wall along East Lancaster Avenue. Two low -relief sculptural components to the east and west of the library mimic the interior
concept with flattened organic stainless -steel shapes and glass spheres. Each piece is 18' in length by 1'8" in height and 2.5" in depth.
On June 27, 2019, Joe O'Connell Creative Machines, Inc. was placed under a Final Design Agreement (City Secretary Contract No. 52519) in the
amount of up to $39,212.00.
Fort Worth Art Commission (FWAC) Action: On September 9, 2019, the FWAC approved the Final Design by Joe O'Connell Creative
Machines, Inc. and recommended that they be placed under an Artwork Commission Contract.
Funding for the project has been allocated from the from the 2014 Bond Program, Proposition 3, adopted by the Fort Worth City Council on
October 21, 2014 (M&C G-18339). Additional funding for the project was included in the Fund Reprogramming Plans from the 2007 Critical
Capital Needs Program and the 2008 Bond Program, adopted by the Fort Worth City Council on June 26, 2018 (M&C G-19323). The project
was included in the Fort Worth Public Art Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Work Plan, adopted by the Fort Worth City Council on November 6, 2018
(M&C G-19412).
PROJECT BUDGET
Project Management Allocation
First Finalist Interview Agreements
AMOUNT CONTRACT
$38,392.00
$1,239.50 CSC #50322, 50323,
50324
(Selection Process 1)
Completed 04/23/2018
First Preliminary Design $24,826.14 CSC #50781
(Manferdini — did not result in a Contract Terminated for
Design) Cause 08/17/2018
Second Finalist Proposal $6,300.00 CSC #51524, 51509,
Agreements 51489, 51490
(Selection Process 2) Completed 2/6/2019
Preliminary Design $15,095.00 CSC #52131
(O'Connell) Completed 6/27/2019
Final Design $39,212.00 CSC #52519
(O'Connell) Completed 10/1/2019
Commission and Contingency $300,662.36 This M&C
TOTAL
$425,727.00
FUNDING SOURCES
AMOUNT
2014 Bond Program, Proposition 3
$65,000.00
Reprogrammed Funding from 2008 Bond
Program
$264,230.00
Reprogrammed Funding from 2007 CCN
96,497.00
TOTAL
$425,727.00
M/WBE OFFICE - The City's overall M/WBE goal for the Fort Worth Public Art Program is 25 percent of total capital project dollars expended on
public art annually.
Council Member Kelly Allen Gray concurs with the Art Commission's recommendation to commission Joe O'Connell Creative Machines, Inc. to
fabricate, deliver, and install artwork at the Reby Cary Youth Library.
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendation and award of the contract, funds are available in the current
capital budget, as appropriated, in the 2007 Critical Capital Projects, Street Improvements 2008, and 2014 Bond Program Funds FWPA -
Eastside Library project. Prior to any expenditure being incurred, the Planning & Development Department has the responsibility to validate the
availability of funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office b� Dana Burghdoff 8018
Originating Business Unit Head:
Randle Harwood 6101
Additional Information Contact: Martha Peters 298-3025