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Public Art committee recommends Arthur Avenue MOU with NDOT; TDOT license to go to council
Summary
The Metro Arts Public Art Committee voted to recommend a memorandum of understanding with the National Department of Transportation for the Arthur Avenue public art project and authorized Metro Legal to finalize edits; a 10-year TDOT license agreement is expected to be considered by Metro Council.
The Metro Arts Public Art Committee voted to recommend approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Metro Arts and the National Department of Transportation for the Arthur Avenue public art project and authorized Metro Legal to make final edits before the document goes to the full Arts Commission.
The MOU, staff members said, clarifies responsibilities and funding for the project and reflects a change in grant administration. "This is a memorandum of understanding. It's an agreement between Metro departments," Leslie, a Metro Arts staff member, said, noting the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant involved and that NDOT now administers the grant for this project.
Committee members were also told that a separate license agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) — covering TDOT-owned bridge property where artwork will be installed — has been developed and is moving through Metro's council approval process. Staff said attorneys expect a council resolution and vote on the license agreement on July 1; if approved, site work and artist installation can proceed.
At the committee meeting a motion to recommend the MOU and to give Metro Legal authority to complete final edits was made by Commissioner Khalil and seconded by Commissioner Brown; the motion was approved. The committee's recommendation means the MOU will be forwarded to the Arts Commission for its final consideration before going to Metro Council.
Staff described additional pre-installation work that will follow council approval, including sidewalk repairs, paint and electrical preparation, installation of a plaque, coordination with a local installer and with Project Return for two installer positions, and plans for a public dedication. "Those are all important next steps," a staff member said.
Background: the Arthur Avenue project has involved multiple Metro and state partners and several years of work. Because the art will be sited on state-owned TDOT property, staff said the TDOT license is a critical regulatory step before physical work can begin.
