Art board advances Police Station art project planning, agrees to open call and contingency planning

The Los Alamos Art and Public Places Board reviewed a project plan for an artwork at the new police station and agreed to move toward a public call for submissions while continuing coordination with the Police Department on placement and schedule.

The staff liaison, Jasmine (staff liaison), told the board she had prepared a road map for the project and said she felt “comfortable with step being call for art.” The board discussed budget guidance from the Police Department, a target installation date tied to the department’s memorial ceremony on May 26, and a working estimate range of about $50,000 to $75,000 that informed the planning.

Board members stressed that the project plan needs a clearer specification of dimensions, materials and installation details that can be copied into a call for art. Tim Foley (board member) asked whether issuing a call for art would preclude purchasing or selecting a preexisting piece; the board agreed a specification can both request new work and allow for a down‑select of an identified work if that is made explicit.

Discussion also focused on how a new piece would interact with an existing “scales of justice” sculpture near the proposed site. Deputy Chief Kent (police department) is reported to prefer that memorial location; board members said deciding whether the two works could share a single site or whether moving the scales should be included in the project plan is a decision the board should make next month. The group outlined two sequencing options: include moving the scales as part of the police‑station project (higher cost, greater coordination) or treat it as a separate contract.

Board members and public commenters raised several contingencies the project plan should document: schedule risk tied to the May ceremony, community input or negative public reaction to a $50,000–$75,000 project, drainage or site issues that have previously required relocating memorials, and the need to confirm concrete slab and wall dimensions for installation. The board asked that those “anticipated process requirements” and potential risks be recorded in the plan.

The board did not take a formal vote to award or procure any artwork at the meeting. Members asked staff to revise the project plan to include: a clear specification (dimensions, materials, required lifespan), installation and moving costs if the scales are relocated, a public‑input strategy, and contingencies for negative feedback or schedule slips. The revised plan will return to the board next month for a decision about including moving costs and whether to finalize a call for art.