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Public Arts Commission approves RFQ for Old North Crossing labyrinth, sets $5,000 for artist commissions
Summary
The Public Arts Commission approved an RFQ to develop a meditation labyrinth at Old North Crossing and allocated $5,000 to commission up to 10 artist-made pavers or stepping stones; staff said the ARP-funded project must be completed by December.
The Public Arts Commission voted to approve a request for qualifications to develop a green meditation labyrinth at the Old North Crossing site behind the fire station and near the metro bus stop, and allocated $5,000 specifically to commission artwork for the project.
Staff said the ARP-community-challenge-funded project will include seating areas and artistic pavers. "We have a budget of $5,000 for specifically commissioning art that's going to be installed here," staff member Stephanie told the commission, and said up to 10 artist-created pieces could be installed within the labyrinth, either divided among multiple artists or awarded to a single artist or team.
The project map shown to commissioners identified the red-circled labyrinth location and yellow rectangles for seating. Commissioners discussed practical limits on the size and weight of rotating and temporary sculptures, noting heavy pieces would require lifts that could damage the site. One commissioner cautioned that art pieces should be manageable by hand or with light equipment to avoid driving heavy machinery over the site.
Staff said the RFQ could be posted in late June with a tentative contract start around June 20, pending final edits from the city's law department. Because the project is funded by ARP, staff noted the money must be spent by December this year.
Commissioners discussed community partnerships including a community garden and the master gardeners to help with native planting around the labyrinth, and suggested outreach tactics — including social posts teasing the labyrinth — once the RFQ is public.
A motion to approve the RFQ was moved and seconded and was recorded as passed; the transcript records at least one member saying "I opposed," but does not provide a complete roll-call tally or the names of movers and seconders.
What happens next: staff will finalize the RFQ language, post outreach materials when the solicitation goes live, and return to the commission as applicants are evaluated. The commission also discussed hosting rotating artworks at the same site and distributing rotating-art pads across neighborhoods that currently lack public-art infrastructure.
