Station 17 Public Artwork Commission

The City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee is requesting artists to submit qualifications for a representational three-dimensional outdoor artwork for a new fire station serving the City of Fort Myers.

Station 17 is a Missile Level E Essential Facility located on Six Mile Cypress Parkway that will provide fire and EMS services to residential developments south of Colonial Boulevard and north of Daniels Parkway, as well as the southbound lanes of I-75. The station houses a staff of eight plus the shift captain with an App Bay for six emergency vehicles. During emergencies, the facility will house overflow and secondary Emergency Operations Center functions. The station also contains a training wall and platform quarters for firefighter skill training, and a Multiuse & Educational Room for community benefit.

The Fort Myers Fire Department prefers a representational three-dimensional artwork of sufficient size, scale and composition to be visible to passing motorists and pedestrians. Although representational, the sculpture may possess modernist stylings. The design should accommodate small groups gathering for memorial events such as 9/11 commemorations and observances for fallen firefighters and police. Possible locations include the area outside the multiuse and educational room, at or alongside the flagpole, and the parking lot facing Six Mile Cypress Parkway.

Artists must meet at least two of the following criteria: completed other public art commissions of similar scale; received awards, grants or fellowships; had works included in major private, corporate or museum collections; or had at least one solo exhibition at an American Association of Museums accredited institution within the past five years.

Total budget is $50,000, which includes materials, engineering, fabrication, permitting, transportation, travel, installation, insurance, documentation, contingencies and the artist's fee. The artist must provide engineering for footers, anchor bolts and concrete or other pad. The Station 17 building contractor will form and pour the pad and footers and provide electrical service for any backlighting or up-lighting. LED is preferred. The artwork must comply with Florida Building Code provisions addressing hurricane force winds and may not require disassembly in adverse weather.

Deadline for submissions is midnight EST, Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Up to three finalists will be selected and each will receive a $500 design fee and six to eight weeks to produce an electronic proposal for virtual presentation. Finalists will present designs in open session on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Fabrication and installation are scheduled for June 1 – August 31, 2022.