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Round Lake renovation pivots from new facility to renovation and community art under $500,000 state grant
Summary
After rising construction costs made a new 3,000‑square‑foot building infeasible, city staff told the advisory board the Round Lake Park project will be a renovation that shifts more money to cultural and public‑art elements funded by a $500,000 state cultural and historical grant.
City staff reported that the Round Lake Park project, funded by a state cultural and historical grant, has been revised from a proposed new 3,000‑square‑foot facility to a renovation of an existing building and an expanded public art component.
Why it matters: staff said the original plan to construct a new building became financially infeasible after construction costs escalated during the pandemic; the new construction estimate reached roughly $1.5 million. To preserve the grant award and still deliver community value, staff told the board they amended the scope with the state and shifted more grant dollars to historic and cultural art programming while renovating the current building.
Scope of renovation and public art Staff described the renovation scope as structural framing work, a new roof, new electrical and plumbing, new windows and doors, removal of a drop ceiling to create an open meeting hall, restroom upgrades, interior finishes, and site landscaping to make the facility more usable for groups that currently use the building. Work orders and purchase orders are in place and staff said construction activity is expected to begin within weeks.
Public‑art elements and artists Staff said the revised plan increases funding for artwork and described the artists and projects under contract or recommended for the work: Wanda Granville is expected to deliver framed drawings; a mosaic tile mural is planned for the building’s north side by artist David Cummings; a bronze sculpture concept will be produced by an artist identified in the meeting as Mr. Calvi; additional pieces proposed by Stephanie Blackran and Andrew Grant were also described. Staff estimated artist commissions and related public‑art work at about $75,000 in total, and said purchase orders and artist agreements are being finalized and will be reviewed by the city’s public arts board for design recommendations.
Community involvement and programming Staff said the mosaic installation will include community participation—residents can bring tiles to be incorporated into the final piece—and that artists plan to provide both permanent onsite art and digital assets for display online and at community festivals. Staff also said programming ideas tied to the grant include plays, exhibits, and community arts workshops.
Next steps Staff indicated they will bring detailed design back to the public arts board for approval of final designs and will proceed with construction procurement for the renovation. The city has an ITD (work order) and a purchase order in place and expects work to commence in the near term.
Ending: The board was asked to note the scope change and to expect artist design presentations to the public arts board and future staff updates on construction timing and community programming.
