Call Detail
47th and York Bike Pedestrian Bridge
Entry Deadline: 3/18/19
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Video | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 2
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 8
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: Colorado

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
47th and York Bike Pedestrian Bridge
Budget: $65,000 USD
Eligibility: Artists or artist teams living in the United States

 DEADLINE: Monday, March 18, 2019; 11:59 P.M.MST

Introduction
The Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of art for the 47th and York Bike Pedestrian Bridge. The future bridge will be located over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, at 47th Avenue and York Street. The selection panel has recommended an integrated project along the ramps and covered portion of the bridge. The commission amount is $65,000 USD.
Elyria and Swansea Neighborhoods
Denver’s Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods are located along the eastern bank of the South Platte River. In addition to the river, major physical landmarks in the neighborhood include the Denver Coliseum, the National Western Complex, I-70, the Purina plant, and the Swansea Elementary School. In the mid-19th century, the area was highly valued by industry and commerce because of the flat terrain and proximity to the South Platte River. With industry, especially smelting and meat-packing, came settlement and housing. Industry, railroads, and housing grew together over the years. Although the smelters are now gone and the meat-packing industry is much-diminished, a strong industrial presence remains today, as does an established residential community with a significant supply of workforce housing. Strong community cohesion and civic pride bolster the neighborhoods even when presented with issues that cause major challenges for quality of life. Many significant changes are on the neighborhoods’ immediate horizon, including new commuter rail transit stations, changes to Interstate 70, and a new vision for the National Western Center.
47th and York Bike and Pedestrian Bridge
The project comprises the design and construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge with stairs and ramps crossing over the Union Pacific railroad line, south of the existing crossing at 47th Avenue and York Street. The bridge will be constructed on unoccupied property south of 47th Avenue. Improving this connection and crossing was identified as a top priority and transformative concept in the 2015 Elyria Swansea Neighborhood Plan and the community continues to champion this. The project is a critical mobility improvement focused on improving safe bicycle and pedestrian connections between Elyria and Swansea Neighborhoods, and between Swansea Elementary School and the Valdez-Perry Branch Library.
Project Goals:

  • Enhanced multimodal safety for the Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods
  • Increased east-west connectivity
  • Reduced risk and delays for cyclists and pedestrians traveling across the Union Pacific main line

Materials & Media
The selection panel members have set forth specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for the diverse communities that will soon utilize the 47th and York Bike Pedestrian bridge. The panel is looking for artwork(s) that highlight and bolster the diverse community that surrounds the project, and is open to commissioning several site-specific art interventions along the bridge and the ramps leading to the covered portion of the bridge. Artworks should be pedestrian-scaled and enhance the experience of those that use and enjoy the bridge. Works that demonstrate the connection to the community, and add a sense of whimsy or moments of surprise are encouraged. The selection panel is open to artwork in materials that are suitable for outdoor display and is open to three-dimensional and two-dimensional applications. Artworks that utilize light, sound, or mixed-media are encouraged. Artists are asked to be mindful and respectful of the bridge’s functionality, its users, the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Maintenance & Durability
All applicants are expected to consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with time and budget. These projects are located in the public realm and may therefore be exposed to weather and physical stresses, as well as be subject to vandalism. Public art projects should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Finalists are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator prior to the submission of a final proposal. Artist proposals awarded contracts will be reviewed by the City of Denver’s Public Art Committee to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA standards. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work in an approved time frame.

Eligibility
This project is open to artists who currently live and work in in the United States, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. The selection panel is interested in artists that can demonstrate a deep understanding of the area’s history, landscape, and surrounding neighborhoods. Emerging artists, Colorado-based artists, and artists working in media that is suitable for outdoor display are especially encouraged to apply.

Can a team apply?
Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group.  If applying as a team, please submit one résumé for the team, with one page per team member.

Applying for these opportunities
In response to this RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit six digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest no longer than 2,000 characters via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™). From these applications, the selection panel will choose between three and five finalists who will create site-specific proposals and be brought in for an interview with the panel. Artists will be paid an honorarium for this work. Artists/teams selected as finalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness Form for their proposals to be considered, which will be provided upon notification. As directed by Executive Order 101, this form must be submitted for all city solicitations of proposals. Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program staff can provide guidance on filling out this form. Finalists will be expected to pay for travel expenses from the honorarium. From the interview and proposal, an artist or artist team will be selected for this commission.  The selected artist or artist team for the commission will collaborate with the Public Art Program staff and the design team when finalizing their designs for installation.

Diversity and Inclusiveness
Denver Executive Order No. 101 establishes strategies between the City and private industry to use diversity and inclusiveness to promote economic development in the City and County of Denver and to encourage more businesses to compete for City contracts and procurements. The Executive Order requires, among other things, the collection of certain information regarding the practices of the City’s contractors and consultants toward diversity and inclusiveness and encourages/requires City agencies to include diversity and inclusiveness policies in selection criteria where legally permitted in solicitations for City services or goods. Diversity and Inclusiveness means inviting values, perspectives and contributions of people from diverse backgrounds, and integrates diversity into its hiring and retention policies, training opportunities, and business development methods to provide an equal opportunity for each person to participate, contribute, and succeed within the organization’s workplace. “Diversity” encompasses a wide variety of human differences, including differences such as race, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical disabilities, appearance, historically underutilized and disadvantaged persons, as well as social identities such as religion, marital status, socio-economic status, lifestyle, education, parental status, geographic background, language ability, and veteran status.

Budget
The budget for this commission is $65,000.00 USD which will be allocated to the artist/team selected. These funds come from the City of Denver’s 1% for Public Art Ordinance resulting from the construction of the 47th and York Bike Pedestrian Bridge. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: the artist’s design fee, other consultation fees such as structural engineering consultation, insurance (including Colorado Workers Compensation), tools, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. For all work done on city property, prevailing wage requirements will be applied.

Timeline
(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments)
Monday, March 18, 2019; 11:59 P.M. MST                Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
April, 2019                                                                        Finalist Selection
July, 2019                                                                          Artist Selection and Notification

Project Selection Panel
According to Denver’s Public Art policy, the project selection panel plays an active role in the acquisition of public art for Denver. The 47th and York Bike Pedestrian Bridge selection panel is comprised of 10 voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria, writing a request for qualifications, reviewing applications, and selecting and interviewing finalists and identifying an artist for the commission. 

Selection Process
Between three and five artists/artist teams will be selected as finalists, depending on the number of qualified responses to the RFQ. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the site and have the opportunity to meet with site representatives, the design team and public art staff.  The finalists will receive an honorarium to prepare and present the proposal in person. The selection panel will review the proposals, interview the finalists and recommend an artist for the commission. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Public Art Committee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and the Mayor of Denver for final approval. All decisions of the City and County of Denver are final.

Materials to be Submitted
Please read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. The applicant’s name must appear on all materials submitted.
All materials must be submitted online, via the CaFÉ™ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system.

Digital ImagesIn order to be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit six digital images of previously completed artworks through the CaFÉ™ system. Artists who wish to submit kinetic, sound or media works must submit a complete CaFÉ™ application and will have the opportunity to upload up to two video files.
Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications can be found at https://www.callforentry.org/uploading-images-audio-and-video-files/. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available here: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/. If an artist does not have access to a computer, they may call 720-865-5563 to make arrangements to use a computer at Denver Arts & Venues offices.

Statement of InterestPlease submit a statement outlining your interest in the 47th and York Bike Pedestrian Bridge public art project and why it is of special interest to you (2,000 character maximum) via CaFÉ™. 

RésuméSubmit a one-to-two page current résumé via CaFÉ™ that highlights your professional accomplishments as an artist. Please name your résumé file accordingly: Last name.First initial (i.e. Smith.J.pdf).  Résumés that are more than two pages will not be downloaded. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé with 1-2 pages per team member.
Please direct all questions about the project to Brendan Picker at brendan.picker@denvergov.org or by calling 720-865-5563.

For more information on the bridge, please visit: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/elevate-denver/program-updates/Elevate_Denver_Blog/2018/ResidentInput47thYorkBridge.html

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria