HomeMy Public PortalAboutPublic Art in Commercial Centers - DCDPCity of Watertown, MA
ARPA Project Proposal
Submitted by: Elizabeth Helfer
Submitted on: May 15, 2023
Request Number: ARPA-4
Project Name: Public Art in Commercial Centers
Proposal Type: City Department
Department of Community Development & Planning
Recommended Project Manager: Liz Helfer, Public Arts & Culture Planner
Project Summary:
Three permanent public art projects that promote outdoor visitation and opportunities for the creative economy are proposed for to promote
community and financial health. These include: a custom bike rack in Coolidge Square, Box Wraps in the Historic District, and Sculpture at the
Mansion.
Amount of ARPA Funds Requested: $60,000
Minimum Funds Needed: $12,000
Matching funds available? Yes
Public Art
10,000
Guaranteed
Other funds available? Yes
Grants
8,000
Highly Likely
Project Narrative: I will use the form to enter narrative
Narrative description of the project:
With the reconstruc on of Mount Auburn Street ongoing, there is an opportunity to increase the draw of commercial centers through crea ve placemaking that highlightsWatertown’s history. In addi on to beau fying the city, the crea on of new permanent public artwork provides health benefits to residents, supports local businesses, andthe process of commissioning artwork also brings needed opportunity to local ar sts who were deeply impacted by the loss of exhibi on and sale opportuni es during thepandemic (see MA Cultural Council sta s cs here: h ps://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/one-year-later-cultural-sector-in-economic-crisis-due-to-ongoing-covid-19-
Item Cost Number Total
Bike Rack - Ar st(s) Grant Agreement
(includes design, materials, fabrica on)
$7500 2 $15,000
Bike Rack Installa on (DPW)$1500 2 $3000
Box wrap manufacture and installa on $1350 8 $10,800
Box wrap annual maintenance (1 year)$150 8 $1200
Sculpture at the Mansion –to Studios
Without Walls for project oversight and
ar st payment (seasonal, 2 years)
$10000 2 $20,000
Wooded Path cleanup + Maintenance
(seasonal, 2 years)
$4000 2 $8000
Wooded Path signage $500 4 $2000
Total $60,000
pandemic). Three loca ons have been selected that align with the meline for improvements on Mount Auburn Street and the Arsenal site: Coolidge Square, the MountAuburn Historic District, and the Commander’s Mansion. Custom bike rack in Coolidge Square ($18,000)In the bump-out designed to streamline traffic in Coolidge Square at the intersec on of Mount Auburn Street and Bigelow Avenue, several bike racks are proposed adjacentto the businesses and bus stop. To emphasize the importance of Watertown industrial past to the rise of its commercial centers, the Department of Public Works will partnerwith the Public Arts & Culture Commi ee to commission two custom bike racks designed by an ar st or ar st team through an open call for art. The PACC will oversee the calland DPW will assist with the jury process, along with representa ves from nearby businesses. If funding is approved, the call for art will be developed and made publiclyavailable by January 2024, and the two bike racks would be installed by September 2026. Historic Box Wraps in the Mount Auburn Historic District ($12,000)
There are 68 u lity box loca ons at prominent intersec ons throughout Watertown. There have been several sugges ons about how to beau fy the boxes in recent years,with the latest sugges on coming from within the Department of Public Works. This program would serve as a pilot program for a city-wide call to ar sts in subsequent years.In addi on to general beau fica on, interpre ve signage has been a goal of the Watertown Historic District, outlined in green below, for over 30 years (interpre ve signage istext and images in a sign format that create a narra ve to educate viewers—without being didac c). The implementa on of interpre ve signage has been stymied by the need to place signs in the right of way, which competes with other necessary signage in the district, oron private property, which requires a (logis cally difficult) ongoing commitment from private property owners in the district. A new method has been iden fied which meetsthe desire for interpre ve signage and the desire for beau ful u li es in the district: wrap u lity boxes in the Mount Auburn Historic District with historic images and text.
A similar project has been undertaken throughout neighboring Newton, MA. The Newton City Beau fica on Division began wrapping boxes thoughout the city a er severalcommunity projects painted boxes with mixed success in the early 2010s. The Beau fica on Division contracted with ar st Franklin Marval to modify images, format text,produce, and install vinyl box wraps a er consul ng with the Newton Historical Society to select historic images for each district. The boxes have seen widespread acclaimand the Beau fica on Division has received sustained pos ve feedback. The Watertown Public Arts & Culture Planner, Public Arts & Culture Commi ee, Historic District Commission, Historical Society of Watertown, Watertown Free Public Library,and Department of Public Works will collaborate to implement box wraps in the Mount Auburn Historic District. The Public Arts & Culture Commi ee will work with the Historic District Commission, Historical Society of Watertown, and Watertown Free Public Library to select historicimages representa ve of the Mount Auburn Historic District and develop interpre ve text. Expanded interpre ve language and images will be hosted on city webpages thatwill be linked via a QR code on each box wrap. There are eight boxes in the Mount Auburn Historic District, all posi oned on Mount Auburn Street. Due to improvement planned along the Mount Auburn corridor,implementa on of the interpre ve historic box wraps should take place a er the improvements are complete. Sculpture at the Mansion ($30,000)The Commander’s Mansion is host to several large community events, private events, and par cipates in community artmaking like YardArt each year. On the wooded part ofthe property bordering North Beacon Street there is an opportunity to highlight the landscape by featuring contemporary sculpture. The Public Arts & Culture Commi ee would partner with the Commander’s Mansion and Studios Without Walls, a Brookline-based nonprofit, to select and site a rota ngsculpture exhibit along the path in the woods. The artwork would contrast with and highlight the historic grounds of the Mansion each fall, while also invi ng use of woodedpath as a pass-through between Arsenal Park and sites West. To site 4-8 sculptures seasonally, the wooded path will need to be maintained, poison ivy removed, and signageinstalled to direct pedestrian traffic.
Detailed Project Budget:
Timeline for the project:
Each component project of Public Art in CommercialCenters can start immediately upon securing funding.2024: Custom bike racks in Coolidge Square Encumber funds for bike rack Call forAr sts Develop call with historical referencedocuments Launch Call for Ar sts by the close ofFY2024 Historic Box Wraps in the Mount Auburn HistoricDistrict
Select images and generate interpre ve text for eight boxesStakeholders work with manufacturer to complete box wrap designsFull interpre ve text and images are placed on chosen webpagesMount Auburn Historic District box wraps are installedSculpture at the MansionWooded path cleanup, year 1Fee paid to Studios Without Walls, year 1Develop wooded path signage2025: Custom bike racks in Coolidge Square Close Call for Ar sts, select ar st(s)Ar st(s) develop bike rack proposalAr st(s) fabricate and install bike racks Historic Box Wraps in the Mount Auburn Historic District Annual maintenance of box wraps, year 1 (next years to come from DPW/Public Arts)Sculpture at the MansionWooded path cleanup, year 2Fee paid to Studios Without Walls, year 2Install wooded path signage
Resources required in addition to the ARPA funding:
Any additional resources of funding, materials, or labor will come from the aforementioned parties, primarily Public Arts & Culture.
Metrics for success of the project:
The number of artists engaged in the project is one metric for success. As proposed, Public Art in Commercial Centers will support the work of
up to 20 artists, or 10 annually. This would increase city support of the flagging creative economy in Watertown by nearly 10%, and in a
significant way.
Other metrics may be measured visually, counting use of the bike racks and wooded path behind the Commander’s Mansion, and by
mentions on social media or people tagging their location at these newly “Instagram-able” locations. We will also be able to track website
visitation that is linked to artwork signage as well as direct feedback from residents and visitors. If the aggregate response is positive and
shows increased use of these resources, that will mean success.
Outputs / outcomes:
A new bike rack at a prominent bus stop that also serves as public art, a walkable history tour of one of Watertown's historic districts, and a
user-friendly path that connects Arsenal Park to points east. Watertown will continue to support resident and visitor wellness through the use
of outdoor space and drive visitation to commercial centers.
What will be the overall benefit?
Creative placemaking through public art is known to drive use and visitation of sites. Public art in Commercial Centers will serve as an
economic driver for nearby businesses and encourage repeat visitation. Outdoor creative placemaking also promotes many wellness benefits,
including exercise and perceived happiness. Additionally, the creation of public art enhances outdoor gathering spaces, a use that
respondents to many recent surveys (including one by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce) say they value. The desire and increased
demand for outdoor gathering spaces can be directly linked to the COVID-19 and best practices for gathering safely.