Board selects top three senior-center gate proposals, will seek public feedback and confirm installation costs

The Art and Public Places Board down-selected six submissions for the Senior Center security gates to three finalists and voted to seek public comment on those three while asking staff to confirm each artist’s installation plans and pricing.

Board members reviewed proposals that included metal screens, rammed-earth panels and metal sculptural gates. After scoring and discussion, the three finalists selected for public review were: the Watson “Heritage Gate” (highest average score at 46.6), Doug Zohr’s proposal (referred to in the meeting as “Messengers,” average ~46.25), and Crow Hill’s proposal “Woven Land” (average ~40.75). Chelsea Ashcraft, the staff liaison, tallied scores and reported the rankings.

Members discussed practical concerns to be resolved before presenting options to the public: whether the artist’s quoted price includes installation, who would be responsible for installation, and whether county facilities would provide the required anchors or concrete pads. Board members asked staff to ask each of the three finalists to clarify installation scope and costs and, for the Watson proposal, to confirm whether the artist has permission to use the Zia symbol (a cultural symbol that, the board noted, may require permission to use).

The board passed a motion to create and submit a public survey presenting the three finalists (Woven Earth/Crow Hill, Modern Steel & Fence, and Doug Zohr), and to include pricing and any installation-cost clarifications in the survey materials. Staff said the survey could be distributed online and that the board could also gather input at PEAK’s anniversary event or other public venues. Board members discussed typical survey timing and noted the need to collect results in time to review at the March meeting.

Next steps: staff will contact the three artists requesting details about installation (whether included and estimated cost), will consult facilities about county installation capabilities and costs, and will draft the public survey for review by the board prior to posting. The board agreed to move the survey forward with the installation-cost clarification added to the materials.