TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
John Jalili, Interim City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Gina Allen, Recreation Services Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Approve New Architectural Bench Designs (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
APPROVE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the following new architectural bench designs: (Attachment 1)
1. The Loop by Sparano + Mooney Architecture
2. Wave II by Stacy Dukes Design
3. Puddle by Ball & Nogues Studio
Body
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications on the General Fund associated with the recommended action. The program will be supported through private donations.
BACKGROUND:
At the March 4, 2014 City Council Meeting, three new architectural bench designs were presented to the City Council for review and approval. The three artists who presented their designs were: Sparano + Mooney Architecture, Stacy Dukes and Ball & Nogues Studio.
Each artist presented their designs and discussed a number of items including: the bench dimensions, durability, safety, maintenance, materials and fabrication process. During discussion of the item, the City Council members asked if the Community Development and Public Works departments had reviewed the benches durability, safety, maintenance, graffiti protection and liability. Staff stated that the benches had solely been reviewed by the Cultural Arts Commission before presenting the designs to the City Council. The City Council asked staff to have Community Development and Public Works review the three designs and return with their evaluation of each proposed bench.
DISCUSSION:
Each of the three bench designs were submitted to the Public Works and Community Development departments for their review and assessment.
Community Development determined that each of the proposed bench designs were acceptable as long as the benches accommodate a 30" x 48" minimum clear space for wheel chair access. Each of the three designs meet or exceed these standards (Attachment 2).
Public Works approved the designs with the stipulation that all bench designs include integral brackets or other approved method to allow for proper mechanical fastening into the Strand Alcoves. Fastening the bench with brackets will prevent any possible movement and will also minimize damage to the Strand should removal or replacement ever be needed. Mechanical fastening is required, as the common use of epoxy adhesives is not a viable option in this application.
Additionally, staff commented on the aluminum bench design from Ball & Nogues Studio. The concern was that heat buildup from the sun might make the bench too hot for use on sunny days. Ball & Nogues Studio responded that the applied coating will prevent heat buildup and that the bench would not suffer from excessive heat buildup.
Each artist has been made aware of Public Works' requirement and each has confirmed that the requirement can be integrated into the design.
In the future, all new bench design submittals will be reviewed by the Public Works and Community Development departments prior to reaching the Cultural Arts Commission and the City Council.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the new architectural bench designs.
Attachments:
1. New Architectural Bench Designs:
The Loop by Sparano + Mooney Architecture
Wave II by Stacy Dukes Design
Puddle by Ball & Nogues Studio
2. Diagram of Wheel Chair Access