Commission backs Bear Creek Greenway underpass public‑art project with $125,000 budget

Boulder — The Boulder Arts Commission on June 25 recommended that the city manager initiate a public‑art project for two underpass locations along the Bear Creek Greenway Trail, approving a proposed combined budget of $125,000 and a community selection process to pick artists.

Chris Roth (CR Project, consultant) presented site options and a budget breakdown for two underpass locations near Baseline Road and Middle Thirtieth. The proposal identifies four primary wall surfaces across two underpasses and proposes combining multiple transportation project allocations so the program can be delivered efficiently and at greater scale. The staff presentation described a total budget of $125,000 for the initiative, with an approximate allocation of $55,000 per location plus design, stipends, technical review and contingency.

Staff and the consultant said the sites are already constructed and will require minimal site improvements, making them suitable for murals or mosaics that face trail users. The project team proposed a community selection panel and a technical review committee; members named during the meeting included: Jeffrey (commissioner), Artie Sandstone (local artist), Gwen Burak (Golden Museum of Contemporary Art deputy director), Scott McCary (Director of Transportation Services, University of Colorado Boulder) and Laura Hendrickson (nearby resident). A technical review committee was listed as Erica Amador (senior transportation planner), Bridal Wiltshire (transportation staff) and Mark Garcia (transportation staff).

Commissioners asked about long‑term maintenance and graffiti remediation. Staff said the city has an annual maintenance allocation for public art and that the Office of Arts & Culture would maintain artworks; structural bridge repairs would remain the responsibility of Transportation. Staff described the city’s recent inventory and maintenance planning for public art and said the program includes ongoing funds for upkeep.

A motion to recommend formation of the Fair Creek Greenway Trail public-art selection panel and project initiation to the city manager was moved and approved by the commission during the meeting; one commissioner indicated they would abstain if necessary because they serve on the panel. Staff said the call for artists and panel orientation would be drafted this summer with a possible late‑third‑quarter kick‑off for artist selection.