The Gilroy Arts & Culture Commission advanced planning for a downtown public‑art unveiling at its Jan. 13 meeting, confirming that banners for the campaign have been ordered and discussing venue, budget, equipment and permit issues that staff must resolve before the event.

Staff said the banner production company listed a seven business‑day turnaround for the printed banners and that installation is planned to begin at Monterey and in front of Eden. The commission agreed the banner program should be paired with an on‑site event but identified the rented stage as the largest expense from past programs. One staff presentation estimated the prior full program cost at about $1,600, with the stage as the principal line item.

A commissioner offered Willie House, a city‑owned leased property with an existing stage and back patio, as an alternative venue; the presenter estimated that using that location could reduce costs by roughly $1,000. Commissioners discussed capacity and lighting — staff said the patio could comfortably hold about 100 standing attendees with market lights and two existing lamp posts — and weighed an indoor/outdoor layout to mitigate February’s cold weather.

Staff also flagged a scheduling complication: an adjacent facility (referred to in the transcript as “the Arcint”) had applied for an ABC permit for the same day, and the commission asked staff to consider how simultaneous events might affect attendance. Food and beverage plans were also discussed; commissioners preferred donations when possible but staff cautioned that heated food would likely require County Department of Health inspection or permits before it could be served.

On logistics, commissioners discussed display options for artists’ work (foam‑core boards and small easels versus taping to walls), reusable city audio gear, and marketing collateral. Staff recommended forming a small planning subcommittee to finalize details between meetings; commissioners volunteered informally and staff committed to follow up with a promotional image and to re‑notify awarded artists.

Staff said commissioners should plan to arrive early (5:30 p.m. suggested) with the ceremony expected to run about 30 minutes and public viewing of the banners to continue afterward. The commission will reconvene before its Feb. 10 meeting for a final check‑in and staff will send the mayor an invitation.