As a city animated by the arts — as stated in its vision statement — Sedona prides itself on showcasing the work of local artists.
That was evident during the Tuesday, Dec. 10, Sedona City Council meeting in which artwork in a pair of roundabouts was approved by a 5-2 vote. Councilmen Bill Chisholm and Scott Jablow were opposed.
As part of the Uptown Roadway Improvements Project, two roundabouts are being installed in Uptown on State Route 89A, one at the north end at Schnebly Road and one at the southern end at Jordan Road. As with other roundabouts in the city, the art is intended to be incorporated within the inner circle of the roundabouts.
In all, 11 proposals were submitted to the city with the top four candidates being interviewed by staff. In the end, the contract, not to exceed $75,000 for both the Jordan and Schnebly roundabouts, was awarded to Reagan Word. The schedule for the delivery and installation of the two sculptures is Saturday, Feb. 15, of next year.
“We had a unique opportunity with this project to install artwork before construction was completed,” Engineering Supervisor Stephen Craver said. “In other art in the roundabout installations we’ve had to deal with ADOT’s permitting process, which takes a longer amount of time than what we’re dealing with here on our own property.”
Craver said this selection process was similar to others used to select art for other roundabouts. However, it differed in some ways that may have impacted the number of submittals and the type of submittals received:
–The timeline for soliciting proposals was condensed to help ensure the art installation could coincide with the completion of the Uptown roadway construction.
–Due to time constraints, there was no broader public input given during the selection process as there typically has been with other roundabout art installations.
–The city received 11 proposals for two roundabouts, which is fewer than the approximately two dozen proposals received for the Schnebly Hill roundabout.
–The verbiage in the Request For Proposals states, “Proposals will be accepted for up to $75,000 for this project.” Reagan was the only one to question this and the only proposal to meet budget. The numerous other artists assumed the cost was $75,000 per roundabout and exceeded budget by submitting proposals for cast bronze.
–The selected art is patinated steel, rather than cast bronze that is more typical of other roundabout art installations.
Vice Mayor John Martinez pointed out that in the past, $75,000 has been spent on just one roundabout art piece and expressed concern about the quality when getting two pieces for that price. Jablow said in talking with some of the artists, there was a bit of confusion in the proposal as to whether or not the $75,000 was for one or two pieces.
“Are we sacrificing quality for time — to get it done the same time as the Uptown project is done?” Jablow said.
On those lines, Chisholm said, “I like it, but it’s going to sit there for 40 years. Are we rushing it because we said $75,000 instead of $150,000. That’s bothering me.”
Mayor Sandy Moriarty said even though the art is not bronze, it’s no less beautiful or inferior and will last as long as bronze.
“I don’t believe it’s going to be a problem,” she said. “I, personally, think it’s nice to have something a little different.”
