SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve allocating funds for Grad Chalk Walk (Street Enhancement/Pop-up Art), which is an initiative under the Cleveland Street Activation Plan, in an amount not to exceed $15,000 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this item is to allocate $15,000 for the Grad Chalk Walk (Street Enhancement/Pop-up Art), which is an initiative under the Cleveland Street Activation Plan.
Grad Chalk Walk will consist of the following:
• 12 - 6x6 High school “specific” chalk art installation along the 400-500 block of Cleveland Street: $800 per artwork
• 2 - Generic chalk art graduation celebration installation one located at the beginning of the 500 block and one at the 400 block by Osceola Ave: $800 per artwork
• Print materials/A-frame signs: $1,000
• Power washing: $2,000
• Miscellaneous Materials: $400
• CRA Executive Director or designee is authorized to issue funds without board approval.
A call for chalk artists has been submitted; that will last until April 25 (3 weeks) and a team (neighborhoods, park and recs., public communication, and CRA) will be formed to select the artists on April 28. Artists will be notified the week of May 5, and artwork will be finalized between May 12-19.
On May 25-26 (May 27 as a rain-out day), artists will create and finish 6x6 chalk art representing the 12 different high schools and 2 generic graduation celebration pieces.
On May 28-30, graduates, family, and friends will gather to celebrate one of the most momentous occasions in young adults' lives. During these three days, Cleveland Street will play a special role in honoring graduates by creating an unforgettable experience.
Enhancements will be made to foster a festive atmosphere and provide graduates with a place to capture this important milestone. These additions will ensure a memorable celebration, filled with joy and lasting memories. To support this event, staff will collaborate with public communications to develop marketing tools, including social media pages, hashtags, and print materials. These efforts will help spread the excitement, activate the 400 and 500 block and encourage community participation.
The Grad Chalk Walk (Street Enhancement/Pop-up Art) aligns with the DDB’s mission of creating a thriving Downtown, the City’s Strategic Plan (3.1) by supporting neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging, and the Cleveland Street Activation Plan.
Staff recommends allocating $15,000 in funding for Grad Chalk Walk, that will expand over three days to help celebrate, honor, and make Cleveland Street a walk these graduates won’t forget.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
1829411-558900 Future Downtown Initiatives
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging
