Grand River Ctr Artwork RFQMEMORANDUM
September 11, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Request for Qualifications for Artwork for Grand River Center
Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser is recommending issuance of the Request
for Qualifications for Artwork for the Grand River Center.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
MEMORANDUM
September 10, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manage~t~'
Request for Qualifications for artwork for Grand River Center
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council authorization of a Request
for Qualifications (RFQ) for artwork for the Grand River Center.
Discussion
Attached is a proposed RFQ for artwork for the Grand River Center. The City has been
working with Steve Ulstad of Ulstad Amhitects and Ged Sharer from the Dubuque
Museum of Art (DUMA) to make recommendations on locations for the placement of
artwork in the Grand River Center. These locations have been reviewed and approved
by the design review committee as well as with Platinum Hospitality, the facility
managers. The recommended artwork budget for this facility is $90,000 based upon the
number of locations and anticipated cost for each piece. Industry standards for new
construction typically budget up to 1% of the construction cost for the placement of
artwork in the building, which would be $250,000. The following is a list of locations
proposed for the placement of artwork:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
One large, hanging glass sculpture located in the spine near the city side
entrance to the center. The budget for this item including installation is
$50,000.
One large print (approximately 3' x 5') located at the exhibit hall reception
desk. The budget for this item including installation is $5,000.
Four large prints (approximately 3' x 5') located in the meeting room hallway.
The budget for this item including installation is $16,000.
1 large print (approximately 3' x 5') located near the escalator on second
floor. The budget for this item including installation is $5,000.
1 freestanding sculpture under the stairs to the River room. The budget for
this item including installation is $2,000.
6)
5 sculptures in prefunction space adjacent to Riverwalk. The budget for this
item including installation is $12,000.
Artists will be asked to submit information on types of art mediums used, listing of
relevant projects, a brief narrative on their concept for artwork for the Grand River
Center as well as a sampling of previous artwork completed. The city will work closely
with DuMA to mail the RFQ to artist in the Dubuque area. The design review
committee, with the assistance of the DUMA, will select an artist or artists for
recommendation to the City Council. The selection criteria will be based upon the
quality of artwork submitted, demonstration of experience, evaluation of past project and
professional qualifications. All other factors being equal, preference shall be give to
artists residing within the City of Dubuque.
The RFQ also provides an opportunity for an artist or collector to loan artwork at no cost
to the City of Dubuque for a pedod of five years. This arrangement would require a loan
agreement between the City of Dubuque and the artist or collector. Due to the unique
nature of the procurement of commissioned artwork, it is not anticipated that artwork will
be available for the grand opening scheduled for October 25, 2003. However, artwork
is expected to be completed and installed within 60 day of selection by the City Council,
which is anticipated to be on November 3, 2003.
Action
The requested action is for City Council to approve issuance of the attached RFQ.
Cc:
Design Review Committee
Ged Shafer, DuMA
SEPTEMBER 8, 2003
Request For Qualifications:
Grand River Center
DEAR PROSPECTIVE ARTIST:
INTRODUCTION
The City of Dubuque, Iowa (the City) has authorized the issuance of a
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the installation of artwork in the
Grand River Center, a newly constructed conference center owned by
the City located along the Mississippi River in the Port of Dubuque.
The City is seeking a qualified artist or artists to provide artwork for
several locations in the building. The Center, anticipated to open on
October 25, 2003 is anticipated to host several hundred thousand
attendees annually.
The building consists of 134,000 gross square feet of conference center
space. Included in the building is a 30,000 square foot exhibit hall, a
12,000 square foot ballroom, 12,000 square feet of meeting room
space, 2,000 square foot glass River room, approximately 10,000
square feet of prefunction space along the dverfront and approximately
3,000 square feet of prefunction space adjacent to the exhibit hall. The
building also features a unique design called the "spine" which runs
through the entire building and sits on an axis aligned with the gold
dome of the courthouse on the City side and a panoramic view of the
Mississippi and the bluffs of the tri-State area. An exterior brick plaza is
located at either end of the spine as well as a water feature near the
street adjacent to the property. Glass and limestone materials are used
throughout the building to convey the symbolism of the area as well as
to allow natural light to fill the space.
This letter, together with its attachments, comprises the RFQ. The
objective of this RFQ is to ask prospective artists to submit sufficient
information regarding their art medium and to enable the City to select a
an artist(s) who will be recommended to the City Council for placement
of art in the Grand River Center.
To assist you in the preparation of your RFQ, you are invited to
participate in a tour of the Grand River Center on September 24, 2003
at 3:30 p.m. Those wishing to participate are asked to sign in at the JP
Cullen construction trailer, obtain a hard hat and meet at the entrance
of the Grand River Center.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
The time frame for solicitation, receipt and evaluation of developer
qualifications, and selection of an artist or artists is as follows:
DATE EVENT
September 16, 2003
September 24, 2003
October 7, 2003
October 13, 2003
November 3, 2003
Issue Request for Qualifications
Presubmission Tour of Facility
Responses Due
Artwork viewing at Grand River
Center
City Council Decision on Artist(s)
It is not anticipated that artwork will be available for the grand opening
scheduled for October 25, 2003. However, artwork is expected to be
completed and installed within 60 days of selection by the City Council,
which is anticipated to be on November 3, 2003.
SCOPE OF WORK
The artist(s) selected through the RFQ will be required to provide a
sample of existing artwork at the Grand River Center on October 13,
2003. The artist may propose placement of an existing piece of artwork
or a prototype of work yet to be created. Based upon review of this
artwork, a recommendation will be made to City Council for approval on
November 3, 2003.
The following is a list of locations proposed for placement of artwork:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
One large, hanging glass sculpture located in the spine near
the city side entrance to the center.
One large print (approximately 3' x 5') located at the exhibit
hall reception desk.
Four large prints (approximately 3' x 5') located in the
meeting room hallway.
1 large print (approximately 3' x 5') located near the escalator
on second floor.
1 freestanding sculpture under the stairs to the River room.
5 sculptures in prefunction space adjacent to Riverwalk.
A collector or artist may propose placing an existing piece of artwork
from their collection if it will be loaned at no cost to the City for at least 5
years.
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The following information must be submitted:
Artist information including brief resume and a portfolio of art mediums used.
A brief portfolio with a sampling of previous artwork completed.
A listing of museums or other accredited institutions where artwork has been
exhibited.
A listing of relevant projects completed by the artist within the last five years
(including photographs). Include type of project, project address, size and
intensity and contact information of current reference;
Brief narrative description of general concept plan for the placement of artwork;
Proposed Costs (1 copy submitted in separate sealed envelope to be kept
confidential) for design team must include the cost of each individual piece and
its date of availability.
In the case where a collector or artist is proposing to loan existing artwork to the
City of Dubuque for placement in the Grand River Center a signed loan
agreement between the City of Dubuque the lender shall be executed prior to
placement of the artwork.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The City intends to select an artist(s) based on the following criteria:
demonstration of experience, professional qualifications, quality of
artwork submitted, evaluation of artist's past projects and other
pertinent factors. All other factors being equal, preference shall be
given to artists residing within the City of Dubuque. The following is a
guide to the criteda that the City will be using in evaluating the
statements of qualifications:
1. Demonstration of experience
Demonstrated ability to develop artwork which are a "correct fit~' with the
building architecture;
~ Qualifications of the artist; and
~ Experience in projects of similar size and compliance with budgets and
schedules.
2. Professional Qualifications
~ Past exhibit experience, and professional training in art fields.
3. Quality of Artwork
- Experience with large-sized facilities; and
~ Experience with naturally lit spaces.
SELECTION PROCESS
A Selection Committee will review all responses to the RFQ. The
Committee reserves the dght to request additional information from
applicants prior to making a recommendation. The Committee's
recommendation will be forwarded to the Mayor and City Council to
select an artist(s). The Mayor and City Council will make final selection
of the artist(s) and authorize city staff to enter into an Agreement.
The City reserves the right to reject all submittals.
CLOSING DATE
Seven (7) copies (plus one original unbound, reproducible copy) of the
response (only 1 copy of the cost proposal is needed in a sealed
envelope) to the RFQ must be received by the City no later than 5:00
p.m. on October 7, 2003. All RFQ's shall be delivered to the City of
Dubuque, City Hall, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001,
Attention: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager.
POINT OF CONTACT
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager, will be the sole point of
contact for this solicitation. Questions regarding the RFQ should be
asked during the presubmission tour or submitted in writing to the
address above or by email at csteinha~citvofdubuque.or.q. The City
will not be responsible for the accuracy of information received from any
other sources regarding this RFQ.
CONCLUSION
The $188 million Phase I development of the America's River Project at
the Port of Dubuque is well underway with the Grand Harbor Resort
and Waterpark opened in December 2002, the National Mississippi
River Museum and Aquarium opened in June 2003, the Riverwalk--from
the Alliant Energy outdoor amphitheatre to the American Trust River's
Edge Plaza to the west end of the Ice Harbor opened in June 2003 and
the Grand River Center scheduled to open in October 2003.
To view additional information on the America's River project or the city
of Dubuque, visit these websites:
www.americasdver.orq
www.citvofd u buque.or.q
www.qreaterdubuque.or.q
www.dubuquechamber.com
Sincerely,
Michael Van Milligen
City Manager