Redondo Beach council approves consultant to plan Artesia Boulevard public art

The Redondo Beach City Council on Tuesday approved a three-year consulting agreement with LaBasse Projects to develop a public-art placemaking and placekeeping plan for the Artesia Boulevard corridor, authorizing up to $45,000 for the consultant and reserving roughly $405,000 for procurement and installation.

City staff said the effort is part of the Artesia Aviation Corridor Area Plan adopted in 2020 and later folded into the city’s strategic plan. Jack Meyer, Cultural Arts Manager, told the council the city has set aside $450,000 from the John Parsons Public Art Fund for the project and that the $45,000 consulting fee leaves about $405,000 for actual art installations. “The allocation also included the retention of a public art consultant to guide and steer this process,” Meyer said during the presentation.

The contract with LaBasse Projects, approved unanimously, requires the consultant to prepare an existing-conditions assessment, lead public-visioning and engagement, manage an artist-selection process with community representation, and support installation through dedications. Staff asked for a minimum of three installations during the initial phase and said the consultant’s work will include planning for future phases and how best to stretch the available funds.

LaBasse principal Bill Bass told the council his firm specializes in large-scale permanent and temporary public artwork and emphasized community collaboration. “We spend a lot of time working with community groups, and there’s always some louder voices, and we want to make sure those are the voices that feel heard,” Bass said.

Council members asked about likely locations and timeline. LaBasse said it had done initial site visits but had not yet completed a strategic, block-by-block plan and that the first phase of work would focus on an inventory and strategic plan. The consultant estimated an existing-conditions assessment could take roughly three to four months, with additional months for community visioning and artist selection; staff and the consultant described the overall effort as a multiyear program tied to available funding and construction schedules.

City staff and the consultant said the planning process will involve the Cultural Arts Commission, Public Works, Economic & Waterfront Development staff, business stakeholders, residents and other advisory boards. Staff said final artist agreements and installation contracts would be brought to the council for approval.

Members of the public and local business groups signaled support during the hearing. Mickey Johnson, president of the North Redondo Beach Business Association, told the council the association “is very excited about beautifying Artesia Boulevard and the area, so you have our full support.”

The motion to approve the LaBasse agreement passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Agreement with LaBasse Projects (consulting services to develop Artesia Boulevard public-art placemaking and placekeeping plan): approved unanimously; contract not to exceed $45,000; three-year term; minimum of three installations requested; funding source: John Parsons Public Art Fund (initial allocation $450,000, leaving ~$405,000 for procurement/installation). (Motion and unanimous vote recorded in open session.)

- Consent calendar (items H1–H9, including Item H6 — Resolution No. CC-2505-029 regarding intention to order assessment for street lighting fixtures and landscape maintenance for FY 2025–26): approved unanimously as part of the consent calendar vote in open session.

What happens next

Staff and the consultant will prepare a strategic plan that identifies candidate locations, typologies (for example, gateways, small-scale interactive work, murals and benches), and a phased budget. The Cultural Arts Commission will be involved in drafting calls for artists; staff said artist agreements and individual installation contracts will return to council for approval.

Public comment at the meeting focused on support for the program and suggestions for how art could encourage pedestrian activity and business activation along the corridor.