DUE BY OCT. 13TH 2024
1. Overview
1.1. Summary
The City of Cleveland, Ohio, through its Public Art Program, is requesting qualifications from artists, designers, or teams thereof who may be interested in producing a public artwork to accompany the renovation of the following City Parks:
- Forest City Park - 3510 Kimmel Rd.
- Glendale Park - 3813 E. 149th St.
- Lake Pool Park - 1341 W. 85th St.
- Mercedes Cotner Park - 9417 Maywood Ave.
- Orr Park - 9605 Lamont Ave.
Rather than submit pre-conceived proposals, respondents will be chosen for further consideration based on their qualifications. The selected artists, designers, or teams thereof will work with city staff, neighborhood residents, and other stakeholders to develop innovative, original art that will be relevant to the neighborhood. Respondents may elect to be considered for one or multiple City Park projects, though can only be selected for one.
APPLY HERE
1.2. Background
The Cleveland Public Art Program requires that certain major capital projects undertaken by the City of Cleveland set aside 1.5% of their construction budgets for use toward a public artwork component. The program requires the artwork to be in proximity to the improvements that generated the funding for the artwork. The program is administered by the City of Cleveland in tandem with an advisory committee known as the Public Art Committee comprised of a (1) visual artist, (2) administrator of an arts organization, (3) recognized expert in the field of public art, (4) City of Cleveland resident active in community affairs, (5) staff member of a City of Cleveland department that engages in projects subject to the Public Art Program, who also serves as the Public Art Committee Chair, (6) professional architect or landscape architect, (7) member of Cleveland City Council or its staff, and (8) up to two community representatives in the respective ward of the proposed public art.
2. Guidelines
2.1. Eligibility
This Call for Artists/RFQ is open to any artist, designer, or teams thereof that is aged 18 or older and able to execute a contract with the City of Cleveland, including, but not limited to, providing the required information to become a vendor with the City of Cleveland and completing a non-competitive statement.
Respondents may elect to be considered for one or multiple City Park projects, though can only be selected for one.
2.2. Timeline
Friday, September 13, 2024
Sunday, October 13, 2024 by 11:30PM EST
- Deadline to respond to this RFQ.
October/November 2024
- Applications will be reviewed by the Cleveland Public Art Committee.
- Approximately three (3) respondents for each City Park project will be invited to interview with the Cleveland Public Art Committee.
November/December 2024
- The Cleveland Public Art Committee will select one respondent for each City Park project.
- City of Cleveland to begin the process to get the selected artists, designers, or teams thereof under contract.
*This timeline is subject to change.
2.3. How to Respond to this RFQ
Respondents to this RFQ must create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at https://procurement.opengov.com/signup. Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Submit Response", and follow the instructions.
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
2.4. Questions about this RFQ and/or Project(s)
For procedural questions, please email Jay Rauschenbach at jrauschenbach@clevelandohio.gov and Tarra Petras at tpetras@clevelandohio.gov.
For substantive questions about any City Park project, please use the Question & Answer function in this RFQ for the awareness of others.
3. RFQ Submission Requirements (Questionnaire)
1. Letter of Qualifications and Interest*
Please submit a letter that details:
(1) your qualifications to complete a public artwork project in a City Park,
(2) the City Park project(s) that you'd like to be considered for and your interest in it,
(3) any vision or anticipated approach you may have for the project(s),
(4) your typical or envisioned public involvement process for the project(s),
(5) and any ties you may have to the City Park, its local community, or the Greater Cleveland area.
You can only be selected for one of the five projects, so please indicate which project has a higher priority for you if you want to be considered for more than one project.
*Response required
2. CV or Résumé*
Please submit your current CV or résumé.
*Response required
3. Samples of Work*
Please submit up to 10 images depicting completed work. Do not exceed more than 10 images.
Include the following information for each work: location, commissioning agency, materials, role in producing the work, and budget.
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
*Response required
4. Scope of Work - Forest City Park
4.1. Project Information
Location and Context
Forest City Park is located at 3510 Kimmel Road, which is within Ward 12 and the Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood, represented by City Council Member Rebecca Maurer. According to The Center for Community Solutions and Cleveland State University's Northern Ohio Data and Information Service, the Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood has a population of 20,244, of which, approximately 54% identified as Black or African American. The mean household income is $45,123. A location map of the park is provided in the Attachments section. A complete renovation of the park began in Fall 2023 and was completed, and re-opened to the public, in Summer 2024. Below is the conceptual site plan for Forest City Park and a few construction photographs for reference.
A unique feature of the neighborhood is that it was recently named the 9th EcoDistrict Certified community in the world, joining six others in the United States, one in Mauritius, and one in South Africa. At five square miles, Broadway Slavic Village is by far the largest EcoDistrict, with the next largest at just over three-fourths of a square mile. For more information about the Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood and its EcoDistrict certification, please visit its local Community Development Corporation website at https://www.slavicvillage.org.
Public Artwork Theme and Focus Area
The Cleveland Public Art Committee, in authorizing the release of this RFQ, did not identify a theme or focus area for any public artwork. Moreover, artists can proceed in any direction in regards to form, material, and creative design. The only restricted area that public artwork cannot be located is the area south of the playground and walkway, as shown the left side of the conceptual site plan below. Additionally, the Public Art Committee recommended neighborhood children should be involved in the public involvement process.
Budget
The all-inclusive budget to complete the Forest City Park project is $11,168. This all-inclusive budget includes costs related to public engagement; the design, fabrication, and installation of the public artwork; any artist fee; and all other related expenses.
4.2. Conceptual Site Plan for the Renovation of Forest City Park
Conceptual Site Plan
Conceptual Site Plan with Restricted Area for Public Artwork
4.3. Construction Photographs of the Renovation of Forest City Park
New Playground
New Shelter
5. Scope of Work - Glendale Park
5.1. Project Information
Location and Context
Glendale Park is located at 3813 East 149th Street, which is within Ward 2 and the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, represented by City Council Member Kevin Bishop. According to The Center for Community Solutions and Cleveland State University's Northern Ohio Data and Information Service, the Mount Pleasant neighborhood has a population of 12,948, of which, more than 95% identified as Black or African American. The mean household income is $36,424. A location map of the park is provided in the Attachments section. A complete renovation of the park began in Fall 2023 and is anticipated to be completed, and re-opened to the public, by Fall 2024. Below is the conceptual site plan for Glendale Park and a few construction photographs for reference.
Public Artwork Theme and Focus Area
The Cleveland Public Art Committee, in authorizing the release of this RFQ, did not identify a theme or focus area for any public artwork. Moreover, artists can proceed in any direction in regards to form, material, and creative design. The only restricted area that public artwork cannot be located is within the recreational field, as shown on the conceptual site plan below.
Budget
The all-inclusive budget to complete the Glendale project is $22,597. This all-inclusive budget includes costs related to public engagement; the design, fabrication, and installation of the public artwork; any artist fee; and all other related expenses.
5.2. Conceptual Site Plan for the Renovation of Glendale Park
Conceptual Site Plan
Conceptual Site Plan with Restricted Area for Public Artwork
5.3. Construction Photographs of the Renovation of Glendale Park
New Playground
New Basketball Court
New Seating Wall
6. Scope of Work - Lake Pool Park
6.1. Project Information
Location and Context
Lake Pool Park is located at 1341 West 85th Street, which is within Ward 15 and the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, represented by City Council Member Jenny Spencer. According to The Center for Community Solutions and Cleveland State University's Northern Ohio Data and Information Service, the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood has a population of 10,159, of which, approximately 20% identified as Black or African American. The mean household income is $75,527. A location map of the park is provided in the Attachments section. A complete renovation of the park began in Spring 2024 and is anticipated to be completed, and re-opened to the public, by Fall 2024. Below is the conceptual site plan for Lake Pool Park.
Public Artwork Theme and Focus Area
City Council Member Jenny Spencer notified the Cleveland Public Art Committee that the community would like to honor local resident Walter B. Wright (1852-1939) in any public artwork in the park. Mr. Wright was a prominent African-American who lived directly across West 85th Street from the park between 1896 and 1939 upon his death. Mr. Wright's prominence was tied to his stature as the personal secretary to numerous railroad presidents, including the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad and the New York, Chicago, and St. Louis railroad. Mr. Wright began his career in the railroad industry in 1873 as a porter and was promoted to chief clerk in the purchasing department before his promotion to personal secretary, which he held until 1922 upon his retirement. Historian Russel H. Davis, author of Black Americans in Cleveland from George Peake to Carl B. Stokes, 1796-1962, referred to Mr. Wright's position as personal secretary as "probably the most outstanding position held by a Negro" in Cleveland.
The Public Art Committee, in authorizing the release of this RFQ, identified the theme for any public artwork be related to Walter B. Wright in response to the community's desire to honor him. A focus area in the park was not identified, therefore any area of the park is permissible for the public artwork.
Budget
The all-inclusive budget to complete the Lake Pool Park project is $20,000. This all-inclusive budget includes costs related to public engagement; the design, fabrication, and installation of the public artwork; any artist fee; and all other related expenses.
6.2. Conceptual Site Plan for the Renovation of Lake Pool Park
Conceptual Site Plan
7. Scope of Work - Mercedes Cotner Park
7.1. Project Information
Location and Context
Mercedes Cotner Park is located at 9417 Maywood Avenue, which is within Ward 1 and the West Boulevard neighborhood, represented by City Council Member Jasmin Santana. According to The Center for Community Solutions and Cleveland State University's Northern Ohio Data and Information Service, the West Boulevard neighborhood has a population of 19,509, of which, approximately 31% identified as Black or African American. The mean household income is $52,427. A location map of the park is provided in the Attachments section.
The complete renovation of Mercedes Cotner Park (excluding the outdoor swimming pool) began in late 2021 and was completed, and re-opened to the public, in the summer of 2023. The conceptual site plan for the renovation and post-construction photographs are provided below. One of the unique features of the park renovation is a bicycle pump track, which is a dirt track with a series hills and banked turns designed to allow riders maneuver the course with their momentum alone without the need to pedal. The inclusion of the bicycle pump track was due, in part, to the park's proximity to Ray's Indoor Bike Park about 1/4 miles away. For more information about Ray's Indoor Bike Park, please visit their website at www.raysmtb.com.
Public Artwork Theme and Focus Area
The Cleveland Public Art Committee, in authorizing the release of this RFQ, identified that any public artwork should be generally bike-themed. The only restricted area that public artwork cannot be located is within the bicycle pump track itself due to safety concerns, but anywhere else in the park is permissible.
Budget
The all-inclusive budget to complete the Mercedes Cotner Park project is $22,500. This all-inclusive budget includes costs related to public engagement; the design, fabrication, and installation of the public artwork; any artist fee; and all other related expenses.
7.2. Photographs of the Completed Renovation of Mercedes Cotner Park
New Shelter and Playground
New Shelter, Playground, and Splash Pad
Retained Outdoor Swimming Pool House (Not Part of Renovation)
New Basketball Court
New Pump Track
New Pump Track
New Pump Track
7.3. Conceptual Site Plan before the Renovation of Mercedes Cotner Park
Conceptual Site Plan
8. Scope of Work - Orr Park
8.1. Project Information
Location and Context
Orr Park is located at 9605 Lamont Avenue, which is within Ward 7 and the Hough neighborhood, represented by City Council Member Stephanie Howse-Jones. According to The Center for Community Solutions and Cleveland State University's Northern Ohio Data and Information Service, the Hough neighborhood has a population of 9,878, of which, approximately 90% identified as Black or African American. The mean household income is $36,866. A location map of the park is provided in the Attachments section.
The renovation of Orr Park included two components: a "clean and green" of the original park footprint adjacent to Ansel Road ("Orr Park East") and an expansion of the park adjacent to Lamont Avenue ("Orr Park West"). As shown on the location map, these two components are not physically attached. Located between the two park spaces is a one-story building that currently houses the Positive Education Program and formerly the Cleveland Leadership Academy. The renovation began in the summer of 2021 and was completed, and opened to the public, in the fall of 2022. The conceptual site plan for the renovation and post-construction photographs are provided below.
The clean and green of Orr Park East included the removal of all playground equipment, reconfiguring the pathways to be a circular loop, and generally cleaning the splash pad that was retained.
The expansion of Orr Park West included the new build of a playground, splash pad, various seating options, circular walking loop around an open play field, and storm water retention features. A pathway leads to the adjacent multi-family residential building to the north, which has a controlled access gate that is not publicly accessible. Even while the gate has controlled access, the pathway is heavily used by residents that creates a high use of the park.
Public Artwork Theme and Focus Area
The Cleveland Public Art Committee, in authorizing the release of this RFQ, did not identify a theme or focus area for any public artwork. Moreover, any form of public artwork is permissible in any location in Orr Park, either within the west side or the east side. The only restricted area that public artwork is on the retaining wall between Orr Park West and the adjacent one-story building as it is not owned by the City of Cleveland, and therefore an agreement would be needed between the City of Cleveland and building owner if public artwork is pursued in this location.
Budget
The all-inclusive budget to complete the Orr Park project is $24,450. This all-inclusive budget includes costs related to public engagement; the design, fabrication, and installation of the public artwork; any artist fee; and all other related expenses.
8.2. Photographs of the Completed Renovation of Orr Park
Retained Splash Pad in Orr Park East
New Circular Loop in Orr Park East
New Playground, Seating, and Splash Pad in Orr Park West
New Circular Loop in Orr Park West
New Storm Water Retention Features in Orr Park West
8.3. Conceptual Site Plan before the Renovation of Orr Park
Conceptual Site Plan
