SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Restoration of City Public Art Pieces
Body
SUMMARY:
The City has not historically kept up with a consistent schedule for restoring public art pieces. While a small annual budget is set aside for maintenance, no formal plan has been in place. As new works are installed each year, the list of pieces needing care continues to grow.
The Arts & Culture Division is prioritizing works most in need of cleaning and repairs, guided by the condition reports completed by Burke & Co. To assist with this effort, the City has contracted Public Art Works, Inc. for basic maintenance on several artworks:
• Middens (stainless steel sculpture, Coachman Park) - rust remediation and cleaning completed.
• Torches (Coachman Park) - although not part of the City’s cultural asset inventory, this work sustained significant water exposure from recent hurricanes. Public Art Works, Inc. completed cleaning, funded by Parks & Recreation.
• Ocean Swirl (Fire Station 46, Clearwater Beach) - discoloration caused by prolonged standing water after the hurricane will be addressed in the next phase of maintenance.
Two art piece frequently raised by the Board are also under review:
• Centennial Oak (Main Library) - the sculpture was recently cleaned; however, additional polishing of the acrylic elements is recommended to restore color vibrancy. Rotation of the piece is also under consideration to balance wear. This work will be deferred until after construction of the adjacent hotel to avoid repeat damage from dust and debris.
• Reaching for Knowledge (East Library, SPC Campus) - the paint has significantly deteriorated. Consultants advise against repainting over the existing surface, as the original piece was intended to be powder-coated but likely was not. The current acrylic-based paint has cracked, chipped, and bubbled. The recommended solution is to strip, clean, and repaint the work, requiring full removal of the sculpture. Because this will be more costly than anticipated, additional quotes are being obtained before moving forward.