Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Consulting Services Agreement for $80,000 Between the City of San Leandro and Athen B. Gallery for the Curation, Installation and Maintenance of Four Murals within the City of San Leandro
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to approve a Consulting Services Agreement in the amount of $80,000 with Athen B. Gallery for the curation, installation and maintenance of murals (three on private property, and one on public property) located in San Leandro (1605 Abram Court, 15000 Farnsworth Avenue, 1800 Merced Street, Downtown San Leandro BART Station).
BACKGROUND
With the loss of Redevelopment Agency funding to acquire parcels and provide funding assistance to catalyst projects, the City began investing in art as an alternative method of placemaking. In 2014, two murals were installed: Rigo 23's The Great Migration of the Monarch Butterfly at W. Estudillo Avenue and San Leandro Boulevard, and Preferred Freezer's Pulse of Nature, adjacent to the BART tracks near San Leandro Boulevard and Polar Way. In 2015, the City launched a pilot utility box art program. Building upon these successes, in 2015, the utility box art initiative was expanded, new street banners were designed and installed on Davis and East 14th Street and the City partnered with the Exploratorium in the development and installation of the interactive musical exhibit Chime Way in Joaquin Plaza. The public's response to the City's art initiatives has been positive.
The City recently became aware of the opportunity to build the City's mural arts program and continue our efforts to increase vibrancy and City culture. The goals of the mural arts program are to beautify and revitalize areas throughout the City, create a sense of place, deter graffiti, and provide opportunities for cultural and artistic expression.
Public art can be a catalyst for economic developmen...
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