Public Art

CITY HALL — Planning commissioners have endorsed a plan to require public art elements in new developments citywide, but said they were concerned that the artistic quality of buildings could suffer as result. Currently, any new development in the downtown area valued above $500,000 must either incorporate an on-site public art installation equal to 1% of the project's total cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to an urban art fund. Under a proposal considered by the Planning Commission, new developments, renovations or additions valued above $500,000 in mixed-use and commercial zones citywide would have to include a public art installation equal to 2% of the project's cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to support art installations and civic arts programming.

Arts events have boosted the popularity and economic prowess of cities like Pasadena and Santa Monica, and Glendale wants a piece of the action. For the first time in more than two decades, Glendale officials have begun mapping out a five-year arts and culture plan in order to shape the city into a regional draw. “When someone says Santa Monica, they automatically think of that city as an arts and culture destination,” said Annette Vartanian, a program supervisor for the Library, Arts & Culture Department.

CITY HALL — Larger developments will soon have to meet expanded requirements for public art, part of the City Council's efforts to create a citywide arts fund. Currently, new projects in the downtown area valued at more than $500,000 must either incorporate an on-site public art installation equal to 1% of the project's total cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to an urban art fund. A proposal, endorsed by the City Council Tuesday, will require new developments, renovations or additions valued above $500,000 in mixed-use and commercial zones citywide to include a public art installation equal to 2% of the project's cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to support art installations and civic arts programming.

Pilgrims heading up and down the Glendale (2) Freeway for the last couple of months have noticed a shadowy figure or two gazing into the distance from the hills above. Cardboard cutouts of Clint Eastwood, John Wayne and Gene Autry, bearing labels that read “Glendale Public Art Project 2012,” have been a mystery - something their creator says is intentional. Justin Stadel, the Glassell Park resident and artist behind the cowboy cutouts, said he created the works so viewers could draw a spiritual feeling, a sense of freedom, from L.A.'s varied landscape.

CITY HALL — As city officials continue to delve deeper into the realm of public art programs, Councilman John Drayman has proposed to modify a city policy in hopes of generating funds. Currently, the city’s Downtown Specific Plan requires any new development valued above $500,000 to incorporate an on-site public art installation equal to 1% of the project’s cost or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to an urban art fund. So far, both developments subject to the requirement have opted to include the public art component.

CITY HALL ? An interactive light sculpture could be coming to Central Avenue, under the public art proposal for the mixed-use development slated for the street?s intersection with California Avenue. The city?s Arts & Culture Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve the art proposal for Legendary Tower Glendale, a proposed complex that includes 71 condominium units and nine ground-floor live-work units. The artwork is mandatory under the Downtown Specific Plan, which requires a public art component valued at 1% of the cost of any project with a price tag of at least $500,000 in the downtown area.

Several items will be discussed at the city's Arts and Culture Commission meeting Thursday. Winners of the "I Love My Neighborhood" poster contest and Talent Show will be announced, followed by consideration of the Public Art Opportunity project for the Pacific Community Center. Reports will also be given on the arts and economic impact study and the move to Brand Studios, as well as the arts and culture program supervisor's monthly activity report.

CITY HALL — The City Council has endorsed expanding a public art requirement for downtown developers to include all new developments citywide. The city's Downtown Specific Plan currently requires any new development valued above $500,000 to either incorporate an on-site public art installation equal to 1% of the project's total cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to an urban art fund. Under the new proposal, new developments in mixed-use and commercial zones citywide would have to include a public art installation equal to 2% of the project's cost or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to support art installations and civic arts programming.

CITY HALL — A United Nations-sanctioned artist could bring a piece of his work to a downtown street corner under a public art proposal for the Hyatt Hotel slated for the corner of Wilson and Central avenues. The Arts & Culture Commission on Thursday recommended that the City Council approve Newport Beach-based Komar Investments’ estimated $400,000 plan to incorporate artwork by famed artist Yuri “Yuroz” Gevorgian into the design concept and architecture of the proposed 11-story Hyatt Place Glendale.

Glendale residents who took part in community meetings for long-range planning showed the most concern over transportation and mobility, planning and community development and safety and health, according to numbers released by the city. The general meetings took place at eight sites, including the Sparr Heights Community Center, while five more meetings were set up by Leadership Glendale. The local meeting drew a crowd of area residents, and the city kept a record of neighborhoods represented.

“Is Clint back?” I always ask Jim, my husband, after his hikes in the hills above Descanso Gardens. “Clint” is the life-sized cutout of Clint Eastwood that appeared just off the trail a while back, but it keeps mysteriously disappearing. Bringing the Wild West back to the high chaparral in the San Rafael Hills, Justin, a local artist, has captivated many with his “public art.” Jim met an out-of-town couple last year who had hiked up the steep terrain off the 2 Freeway to get a closer look at the rugged cowboy in a pose from “A Fistful of Dollars.” After he photographed them with their iPhone next to the Spaghetti Western star, Jim pointed them to an easier route down to their car. Jim's last sighting of a new-and-improved Clint was early last week.

I've never liked New Year's resolutions, though I (sometimes silently) make them every year. I suspect I'm not alone in my loathing and then listing of things I'd like to change about myself and my life. I'm also pretty sure what I want is similar to that of millions of other people. You know, it's the usual “lose weight and be healthy, learn something new like a language, beef up my savings account” tossed in with journalistic aspirations and potential victories, like getting that editor to acknowledge my email on the first try (chances: slim to none)

Arts events have boosted the popularity and economic prowess of cities like Pasadena and Santa Monica, and Glendale wants a piece of the action. For the first time in more than two decades, Glendale officials have begun mapping out a five-year arts and culture plan in order to shape the city into a regional draw. “When someone says Santa Monica, they automatically think of that city as an arts and culture destination,” said Annette Vartanian, a program supervisor for the Library, Arts & Culture Department.

Pilgrims heading up and down the Glendale (2) Freeway for the last couple of months have noticed a shadowy figure or two gazing into the distance from the hills above. Cardboard cutouts of Clint Eastwood, John Wayne and Gene Autry, bearing labels that read “Glendale Public Art Project 2012,” have been a mystery - something their creator says is intentional. Justin Stadel, the Glassell Park resident and artist behind the cowboy cutouts, said he created the works so viewers could draw a spiritual feeling, a sense of freedom, from L.A.'s varied landscape.

It amazes me that the police doesn't know what is causing the pedestrian/driver collisions (“Amid car vs. pedestrian crashes police stress safety,” March 25). True, pedestrians need to be aware and be cautious when crossing streets, but pedestrians have been crossing streets in Glendale all along — past and present — and we did not have so many collisions in the past. What is causing car vs. pedestrian crashes are drivers. I live in North Glendale in a quiet suburban area, and each day I encounter drivers who are not stopping at stop signs, are speeding, are on their cell phones and seem to think that they are the only people on the road.

CITY HALL — Larger developments will soon have to meet expanded requirements for public art, part of the City Council's efforts to create a citywide arts fund. Currently, new projects in the downtown area valued at more than $500,000 must either incorporate an on-site public art installation equal to 1% of the project's total cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to an urban art fund. A proposal, endorsed by the City Council Tuesday, will require new developments, renovations or additions valued above $500,000 in mixed-use and commercial zones citywide to include a public art installation equal to 2% of the project's cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to support art installations and civic arts programming.

CITY HALL — Planning commissioners have endorsed a plan to require public art elements in new developments citywide, but said they were concerned that the artistic quality of buildings could suffer as result. Currently, any new development in the downtown area valued above $500,000 must either incorporate an on-site public art installation equal to 1% of the project's total cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to an urban art fund. Under a proposal considered by the Planning Commission, new developments, renovations or additions valued above $500,000 in mixed-use and commercial zones citywide would have to include a public art installation equal to 2% of the project's cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to support art installations and civic arts programming.

CITY HALL — Glendale parks officials are seeking artists interested in incorporating their work into a new look at Maple Park. In June, city officials heralded the Maple Park renovations, which they called a "critical component" of the city's park system because of its location in a south Glendale neighborhood with many high-density housing units. The face-lift to the park's 13,000-square-foot community building will include modernizing the second-floor gym and adding handicap-accessible bathrooms and an elevator.

Glendale Community College student Manny Bracamonte got his start as an artist tagging on the streets in central Los Angeles. He was just 8 years old when he began mimicking the other kids in the neighborhood, painting graffiti on benches and walls. Twenty years later, Bracamonte is still creating public art, but without the taint of gang life threatening to infiltrate his work. Glendale Community College on Friday dedicated a mural designed and installed by Bracamonte in the food court in the lower level of the cafeteria.

CITY HALL — The City Council has endorsed expanding a public art requirement for downtown developers to include all new developments citywide. The city's Downtown Specific Plan currently requires any new development valued above $500,000 to either incorporate an on-site public art installation equal to 1% of the project's total cost, or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to an urban art fund. Under the new proposal, new developments in mixed-use and commercial zones citywide would have to include a public art installation equal to 2% of the project's cost or pay a 1% in-lieu fee to support art installations and civic arts programming.