In the ‘spirit’ of public art, Concord plans ordinance
The city of Concord is taking another stab at public art installations, after the controversial Spirit Poles put an end to the city’s program more than 20 years ago.
At the Jan. 8 meeting, the City Council discussed a Public Art/Percent for Art Program that would require developers to pay a public art fee. Instead, the council voted unanimously to develop an ordinance that would require public art as a condition of approval for future projects – without any associated fees.
“Public art deals with the soul of the city and with the aspirations of our children and our community and, in many ways, the definition of what it means to be a community,” said Councilman Edi Birsan.
Responding to Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister’s comments that potholes, traffic and affordable housing were higher priorities, Birsan acknowledged that public art would never rise to that level. “Yes, we are faced with some terrible financial challenges and liabilities,” he said. “But we also have the liability to future generations to make sure they want to stay here.”
Lisa Vorderbrueggen of the Building Industry Association of the Bay Area spoke against any art fees for housing developers. “Public art, by its definition, is for the public as a whole,” she said. “As such, we would encourage the city to find a broader source of funds for a program that is intended for a broad segment of the public rather than burdening a small segment to pay for it.”
Assistant city planner Jessica Gonzalez offered some current examples of public art on private property in Concord, including “playful” bikes at the Willows Shopping Center and the musical water fountain at the Veranda. Developers have also included public art in a few pending plans.
Gonzalez said it would cost $10,000-$15,000 to draft the ordinance. In the meantime, Hoffmeister suggested that the city continue to negotiate for art on a project-by-project basis.
Meanwhile, the council voted 5-0 to pursue a utility box beautification project with the Concord Art Association. The city has $42,666 left over after the public art program was repealed in 1996, and the council wants to use some of that to paint utility boxes around Todos Santos Plaza. The council referred the plan to the Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Community Services Committee.
Bev Britton
Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.