Invitational RFQ for City Yards Commissioned Artwork - City of Santa Monica

The City Yards campus is a 14.7-acre site located at 2500 Michigan Avenue in Santa Monica. In 2019, the City began a long-term renovation project, with Phase I anticipated to complete in summer 2023. This phase added three new buildings: an Operations Center with a public help desk, a Fire Training facility, and a Fleet Maintenance building. Other renovations are on hold until additional funding is identified, with an estimate of 10-20 years before Phase II begins. Public interaction with the site is currently limited to visiting the Operations Building lobby and viewing the City Yards campus exterior.

The City of Santa Monica is internationally recognized for its commitment to sustainability, with current priorities including water self-sufficiency, zero waste, and carbon neutrality. Art projects at this site will respond to the activities at City Yards and communicate aspects of this work with the community. Themes include ecological sustainability and justice, fire safety, the cycle of municipal maintenance activity and its connections to the community, and the labor of essential workers at the site.

The all-inclusive budget for design, fabrication, and installation is up to $250,000, covering all project expenses including subcontractors, insurance, travel, and project management. Up to five semifinalists will be invited to a site visit, develop a project proposal, and participate in a virtual interview. Semifinalists will receive a $1,500 honorarium to develop their proposal and can be reimbursed for travel expenses upon advance approval. Selection criteria include professional qualifications and artistic achievement, merit and relevance to City Yards themes, and technical and logistical experience with public artwork. Site opportunities include Gandara Park Fencing, the Michigan Avenue wall, the Operations Building, and the Delaware Street wall, each with specific dimensions and design considerations detailed in the full project documentation.