The City of Tempe, Arizona, invites artists to submit qualifications to create enhancements for two pedestrian bridges that will cross the I-10, connecting residents between the east and west side of Tempe along the freeway. One artist or artist team will be selected to work with the ADOT team on the aesthetics of both bridges with a focus on enhancing the pedestrian experience.

Budget: $400,000
Eligibility: Artists lawfully present in and eligible to work in the United States
Deadline: 05/29/2019 11:59 PM Central Time

Project Description
ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) is currently working to design two bridges, one located at Alameda and one connecting the Western Canal. The ADOT aesthetics team has determined a standard bridge cage for these areas. One artist or artist team will be selected to work with the ADOT team on the aesthetics of both bridges with a focus on enhancing the pedestrian experience.

Some possible areas of artistic enhancements include:

• Bridge spans
• Fence or railing treatments or attachments
• Truss finish treatments or attachments
• Pavement / walking surfaces (approaches, ramps, stairs, bridge deck)
• Bridge barrier

Areas to receive ADOT enhanced rustication to match the corridor aesthetics (not the artist’s responsibility):

• Piers
• Bridge ramp abutments
• Bridge ramp approach walls

Art Element Considerations for Pedestrian Bridges:

1. Superstructure type and dimensions (clear width, span length, vertical clearance) will be set by the engineers.
2. Treatments to the truss main members should be limited to finishes to the structural steel (painted steel versus self-weathering steel) can be considered. This does not include changes to steel type (i.e. stainless).
3. Additions to fencing, railing, or to the truss members will be allowed. Attachments will need to be made permanent and installed with bridge construction. Weight and added wind loads should be considered in all elements as this will impact member sizes. All fencing and railing will be reviewed to meet specified safety regulations as provided by the design team.
4.  Approach spans/walls and abutments are typically concrete and are open to aesthetic elements such as rustication/formliner patterns.
5. Attachments to spans/walls and abutments can be considered.
6. Clear zones must be maintained (not impacted or encroached upon) and future maintenance shall be considered for attachments or formliners to spans/walls and abutments.
7. Aesthetic treatment to approach sidewalk pavement, stairs, ramps to the bridges can be considered and will be reviewed to meet specified safety regulations as provided by the design team.
8. High-mast safety lighting in proximity to the bridges and interior safety lighting should be considered as a limiting factor when considering the use lighting as part of the aesthetic treatments.

All planned bridge-related enhancements are being consolidated for a bid package to be released in early 2020. This is a fast track project that requires an artist or artist team with significant past experience working on highly complex design team projects, and will require the selected artist(s) to begin working immediately. The team will meet on a weekly or biweekly basis to determine design intentions and the selected artist(s) will be expected to join these meetings. The aesthetics team will be required to attend public meetings throughout the fall of 2019 and will be available to answer questions from applicants throughout the construction bid process. Full design and construction of the bridge is expected to begin in the fall of 2020 with completion in 2023.

Timeline

• Q/A Session: May 21st 11am-1pm at Tempe Center for the Arts Lounge, 700 West Rio Salado Parkway. For those who cannot attend, questions can be sent via email to Rebecca_rothman@tempe.gov
• Submission deadline: Wednesday May 29th midnight (11:59 PM) MST
• Selection of finalists: Early June 2019
• Finalist Interviews: Mid June 2019
• Commission announcement: July 2019
• Bid package released:  early 2020
• Bridge construction:  fall 2020 into 2023

Selection Process

Applications will be pre-screened by City staff to ensure that the submissions meet the minimum qualifications as described in the eligibility section. An artist selection committee will review artists’ submissions and select 2-4 finalists. The finalists will be interviewed about their working style, methods of approach, and initial thoughts regarding this opportunity. Finalists will be given further information about the project prior to the interview. The steering committee is comprised of members from community stakeholders, arts professionals and associated city staff. The selected Artist will work with Tempe Transportation, ADOT, and Tempe Public Art throughout the project.

What to Submit

All requirements listed below must be met or the application will be removed from consideration. Specific proposals are not requested at this stage in the process and will not be accepted.

1. Letter of interest: (Maximum 1 page) Describe why you are interested in this project and explain previous relevant experience that outlines your previous design team experience. If you are applying as a team, the letter should clearly describe the contribution of each collaborator.
2. Resume: (Maximum 2 pages) outline your recent experience and accomplishments as an artist as it relates to public art. If applying as a team, each member may submit a one page resume.
3. Digital Images: 6 images of previously completed work. Specific proposals will not be accepted.
4. Image List: (Maximum 2 pages) A separate document listing information about the 6 digital images. For each image submitted list the title, date, size, location, and budget with a thumbnail of the image.

How to Submit

Submit all materials online at http://www.tempepublicart.submittable.com

QUESTIONS?  Contact Rebecca Rothman, Director of Public Art, rebecca_rothman@tempe.gov or 480-350-2827