Council
Communication

Office of the City Manager
 
 

Date

December 17, 2007

 

Agenda Item No.       57

Roll Call No.              07-

Communication No.  07-736

Submitted by:  Donald M. Tripp, Park & Recreation Director

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Approval of a license agreement with Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc., D/B/A The Des Moines Art Center (DMAC) for installation and maintenance of a sculpture at “Western Gateway Park.”

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Recommend approval for an agreement to authorize temporary placement of the Plensa “Nomade” sculpture in Western Gateway Park on the south side of the Pappajohn Higher Education Center.  John & Mary Pappajohn have purchased the “Nomade” sculpture and intend to loan the artwork to the DMAC for a 10-month installation in Western Gateway Park.  At the end of this agreement, the artwork will leave for four months on another temporary loan basis and then return as a permanent piece to the Western Gateway Park.   

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount: Minor costs associated with basic maintenance in an around the structure.  The City will set up temporary lighting for viewing and security purposes. The costs of transport and installation of the art will be paid for by Mr. Pappajohn.

 

Funding Source:  Any cost for assistance with the installation will come from existing funds in the operating budget for the Park and Recreation Department.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

 

Earlier this year, John and Mary Pappajohn announced the donation of several sculptures to the Des Moines Art Center for placement in the proposed John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Garden at Western Gateway Park.  The Pappajohn’s donation of art offers an opportunity for Des Moines to create one of the most significant sculpture gardens in the United States.  Mario Gandelsonas has been working with the Pappajohns and the Des Moines Art Center on various options for a conceptual design of the sculpture garden. 

 

City staff received notification on December 7, 2007, that the Pappajohns had purchased the Plensa “Nomade” sculpture and that it would be shipped to Des Moines on December 17, 2007 (pending weather conditions).  The Pappajohns, in conjunction with DMAC, have hired Methods and Materials (a specialty company) to oversee the delivery and re-construction of the piece.  Methods and Materials have twice before deconstructed and reconstructed the sculpture.  The piece was last on display in Miami, Florida.  The City of Miami has sent the City of Des Moines a copy of their structural engineering report for review by our Engineering staff.   The sculpture is 28 feet tall, made of stainless steel and is painted white.  It will be an extraordinary addition to the park and a very fitting way to introduce Mr. Pappajohn’s collection to the community.

 

Park and Recreation Director, Donald M. Tripp has contacted the Public Art Foundation to inform them of the proposed arrival of this piece.  The proposed display location of the artwork in the park will be on the south side of the John Pappajohn Higher Education Center to the east of 13th Street, with the specific location to be approved by the Park and Recreation Director

 

Nomade will be on display in the park until approximately November 1, 2008.  After an out of state viewing for four months, it is anticipated that the art will return to Western Gateway Park as a permanent part of the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Garden.

 

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

 

Date:  November 5, 2007

 

Roll Call Number: 07-2154

 

Action:   Professional Services Agreement with Agrest and Gandelsonas Architects, LLP for schematic design of the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden at Western Gateway Park, not to exceed $132,750.  (Council Communication No.  07-671)  Moved by Hensley to adopt.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

Date:  February 26, 2007

 

Roll Call Number: 07-389

 

Action:    Intergovernmental 28E Operating Agreement with Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Des Moines Art Center for “Western Gateway” Sculpture Park (Council Communication No.  07-119)  Moved by Hensley to continue to 3-26-07 at 5:00 P.M.; refer to City Manager to report on process for recommendations that come before the Council.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): 

 

Date:  February 20, 2007

 

Roll Call Number:  07-019

 

Action:  Park and Recreation Board approved the Art Center Agreement for Western Gateway Park Sculpture Garden. Motion carried. 8-0.

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: 

 

Normal Council actions on consultant services for design, an agreement with the Des Moines Art Center for permanent artwork, and professional service agreement for final design and construction phase services.