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Commission recommends Howard DeSouza's 'Rain Spark' for Fire Station 2 public art; $225,000 commission
Summary
The commission approved the public-art selection process and unanimously recommended the artist team (proposal 'Rain Spark' by Howard DeSouza) to advance to the city manager for final approval; staff noted a $225,000 art budget and plans to refine lighting and color contrast with the building.
Public art staff presented the Fire Station 2 public-art competition and recommended a winning design to the Boulder Arts Commission. Staff said the parent redevelopment project runs through 2028 and carries a public-art budget of $225,000. A national request for qualifications drew 159 applicants; three finalists presented and a community selection panel made a unanimous recommendation for a multi-member artist team whose proposal the panel titled "Rain Spark." The recommended design uses a steel undercarriage with painted aluminum exterior elements and aims to create a visible gateway at the Baseline and Broadway/Bridal intersection while avoiding interactive elements that would interfere with emergency operations.
Staff described technical concerns to be resolved with the artist and project designers, including site lighting (staff want incorporated lighting without diminishing scale) and color contrast with the fire station architecture. The selection panel noted the winning team plans to fabricate the piece locally and presented a maintenance plan; the panel praised the design's visibility, low maintenance needs and conceptual fit with the project.
A commissioner moved to "approve this process, [as] properly conducted, and recommend that the proposal by artist Howard DeSouza advance to the city manager for final approval." The motion was seconded and the commission voted unanimously to advance the recommendation. Staff said the art will be sited in the southeast corner of the station site and that the overall parent project completion is expected in 2028.
