Staff updates: Chateau Park foundations poured; city begins community-center art planning and public-art master plan funded

Cassandra, the city’s public-art staff lead, provided multiple project updates: the Chateau Park sculpture foundations have been poured and fabrication is underway with installation targeted for March and a possible ribbon cutting in April. She said fabrication is in process and that the project remains on schedule.

Cassandra also briefed commissioners on community-center planning. The city purchased land from West Data for a new community center; Parks is contracting designer Stephanie Inman (contracted for design thinking) to produce three or more public-art concepts and to develop recommendations for integrating artwork into building and landscape plans so the city can proactively reserve space rather than retrofit art later in construction.

On the public-art master plan, Cassandra said City Council approved $30,000 for the commission to complete an updated master plan. The city has a scope of work from Via Partnership, the same consultant the commission engaged previously, and plan work will include a community survey, outreach materials and subcontracting with local partners such as Stephanie Inman to support design thinking.

Traffic boxes: Cassandra told the commission the city has completed installation of several wrapped traffic boxes this fiscal year and that the city annually inspects boxes for peeling, cracking and fading when staff prioritize rewrapping or replacement. She said the public-art committee and planning staff coordinate that prioritization.

Why it matters: these projects shape Meridian’s public-art inventory and coordinate city departments to ensure art is considered early in capital projects.

Next steps: staff will continue fabrication and scheduling for Chateau Park, finalize the scope for community-center art recommendations, and begin outreach for the master plan with consultant support and community engagement materials from Via Partnership.