NMDOT CN-A301900 I-25 Montgomery Interchange Aesthetic Treatment Prospectus

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is seeking an artist or artist team to advise and provide specific recommendations to the design team on the aesthetic treatment of the I-25 and Montgomery Interchange to be reconstructed in Albuquerque, NM.

This project is on the mainline of I-25 in north Albuquerque and serves as a gateway to the Montano commercial area and river crossing of the Rio Grande to the west and the Montgomery commercial and residential areas to the East.

The project will address reconstruction and the capacity needs of the interchange and adjacent frontage roads for the next 20 years while providing an aesthetic experience for the estimated 94,000 trips by the traveling public that pass through the area on a daily basis.
 

Surfaces to be addressed may include bridge abutments, railings, project retaining walls, and pedestrian fencing as defined by the design team. Treatments may be expressed through color, texture, and unique repeating concrete form liners for vertical surfaces and metallic shapes for fencing. Subtle lighting treatments may be considered if they do not cause a distraction to drivers and the local government agency agrees to pay for power, maintenance and repairs/replacement. Treatments will address the cultural and natural resource qualities of this northern part of Albuquerque, and comprise an holistic aesthetic ‘look’ for the interchange without providing a distraction to the traveling public.
 

Interested parties must apply and be prepared to demonstrate aesthetic ability, ability to work as part of a team, and ability to work within time and monetary budgets. Interested applicants must be New Mexico residents at the time of the submittal and during the aesthetic treatment development.

Utilizing the CAFÉ website and process, the Local Selection Committee (LSC) will select five semi-finalists and conduct interviews before selecting a finalist and commissioning the work. The LSC will consist of NMDOT staff, local artist and government representatives. An honorarium of $500 will be paid to each participating semi-finalist who must appear in person to meet with the LSC. A site-specific recommendation indicating the applicant understands the commission is not required at the interview however demonstrating understanding and the ability to produce a site-specific work are.
 

The LSC will select an artist or team to develop draft alternatives for presentation to the public and panel. At least one public involvement meeting will be required as part of the design process. 

Among prominent local natural resource themes would be the Sandia Mountains, the West Mesa, and the Rio Grande Bosque. Among local cultural themes are the balloon fiesta park neighborhood, general Southwestern motifs, and transportation.

Maintainability and constructability of proposed features will be important evaluation criteria.

The selection criteria shall include, but are not limited to:

• The qualifications of the artist(s) as demonstrated by the supporting materials.
• Attractiveness and potential of artwork/aesthetic design to enhance the project.
• Artistic merit and superior caliber of craftsmanship shown by the images.
• The degree to which the artwork/treatment fits within the context of the surrounding area.
• The artwork/aesthetic design’s uniqueness and presentation of a distinctive visual image.
• The use of themes that align with the public’s preferences.
• The selected artist will be compensated as an independent contractor by the consulting engineering firm.

(HDR), $10,000 for the draft alternatives for presentation to the public and $11,500 for the final design.

The winning artist will work with the consulting engineer to translate imagery into CAD and engineering drawings.

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted:

1. The artist will post on the CallForEntry (CaFE) website 3 to 10 images of previously completed work. Please review and adhere to the website instructions and requirements (see this link: https://artist.callforentry.org/image_prep.phtml). Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the web page.

2. The submission CAFÉ must include a written letter of interest that addresses the needs of the project, the artist’s interest and motivation in preparing artwork for the project, and an outline of the artist’s specific professional qualifications.

3. The submission on CAFÉ must include a current chronological resume or curriculum vitae
demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art or privately funded  commission projects. Please note that a biography or autobiography will not fulfill the requirement of a current resume.

4. The submission will include an annotated image list containing the title, media, dimensions, year of completion, project description, budget, and commissioning agency.

5. All materials must be submitted in digital format according to the specifications outlined by CAFÉ.

6. The LSC will not review supplemental information beyond what is requested, including materials specific to this project.

7. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification from the competition.

8. The initial submission consists of only the artist’s general qualifications and experience on projects of similar scope and intent. The initial submission should not be a site-specific concept.

Semi-finalists will be expected to submit a sample drawing or rendering relevant to the project.

The following are key dates in the selection process:

• April 2019 – Request for submissions posted on CAFÉ website.
• May 10, 2019 – Electronic Submission Deadline.
• May 2019 – Electronic Notification of Semi-Finalists.
• June 2019 – Semit-Finalist presentations, Finalist commission awarded.
• July 2019– Interim reviews, public meeting and final artwork due.
• August 2019 – Artwork scans completed and delivered to NMDOT in specific form.

Questions regarding the bridge art project should be directed to Danton Bean by phone (505)830-5412 or by email at Danton.bean@hdrinc.com.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria