Title
a. Receive a presentation in response to Board Referral No. 2021.05 and authorize implementation of the Countywide COVID-19 Memorial Project;
b. Provide direction to Staff for the location of the permanent Countywide COVID-19 Memorial Project;
c. Approve proposed design concepts to be further developed through a Community Engagement strategy; and
d. Direct that the COVID-19 Memorial Project be added to the approved FY 2021/22 Funded Capital Projects (Fund 404) list, with estimated expenditures to date in the amount of $20,000, and total estimated project cost to be determined by the Board’s concept preference.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation in response to Board Referral No. 2021.05 and authorize implementation of the Countywide COVID-19 Memorial Project;
b. Provide direction to Staff for the location of the permanent County-wide COVID-19 Memorial Project;
c. Approve proposed design concepts to be further developed through a Community Engagement strategy; and
d. Direct that the COVID-19 Memorial Project be added to the approved FY 2021/22 Funded Capital Projects (Fund 404) list, with estimated expenditures to date in the amount of $20,000, and total estimated project cost to be determined by the Board’s concept preference.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On March 2, 2021, the Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks (PWFP) received Board Referral No. 2021.05 to create a permanent memorial with the names of all COVID-19 victims of Monterey County at the Monterey County Government Center Campus at 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas (Government Center). This report summarizes Staff efforts to date, including preliminary proposed locations and design concepts for consideration by the Board of Supervisors.
The County-wide COVID-19 Memorial Project (hereafter, “Memorial” or “project”) is an opportunity to collectively honor the tremendous loss experienced over the past two (2) years and its prolonged impacts. Currently the total number of COVID-19 fatalities to date for Monterey County is 700 (Attachment B). The Memorial will provide a space for quiet contemplation for those families and loved ones directly impacted by loss, and the community overall to reflect and instill hope for the future.
Staff identified three (3) potential locations at the Government Center for the Memorial including, the pedestrian walkway and planting areas in between Capital Street and the County Administration Building main entry; the planting area adjacent to the Old Jail building; and the planting area between the North Wing Courthouse building and the County Administration Building. All locations identified will maintain drivable space for Fire/Emergency vehicle access and will not narrow or obstruct the existing path. In addition, the locations maintain clear view of corridors, and will not block visibility from the street or from the adjacent building windows.
PWFP staff engaged The Paul Davis Partnership Group and their subcontractor BFS Landscape Architects (Consultant Team) to provide design services for the Memorial. The initial scope of work includes determining program needs, developing schematic designs, and preparing a cost estimate for proposed concepts. Both consultants are local vendors who have experience with development of memorials and art installations including engagement of community stakeholders and artists. Some of the local programs they have worked on include, Honor Garden in Monterey, Veterans Memorial at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, Salinas Veterans’ Park, CHOMP Marina Donor Program in Marina, the Arts Park in the unincorporated East Garrison community, El Gabilan Library Art Program in Salinas, Portola Plaza Fountain in Monterey, and the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery which includes 15 Columbaria with approximately 5,000 niches in Seaside. Three conceptual designs and a Community Engagement strategy were prepared.
The conceptual design options for the Project are listed below. All concepts will incorporate, where appropriate, benches to provide areas for quiet contemplation, solar lighting, drought tolerant plant material, and recycled materials. The Memorial timeline is anticipated to be approximately 14-18 Months, which includes design, community engagement, bidding and construction. The estimated Memorial Project cost ranges from $307,533 to $515,780 (Attachment A).
The Community Engagement strategy will be facilitated by the Consultant Team to further develop concepts as directed by the Board of Supervisors. The Community Engagement strategy will include utilizing County social media sites to solicit involvement via online surveys; holding public meetings to introduce project and goals; soliciting local artists submissions of poetry, images, and other ideas to be included in the COVID-19 Memorial.
Concept A, Embedded/Etched Elements has an estimated project cost of $515,780. This concept will utilize the existing pedestrian path leading from Capital Street to the County Administration Building main entry. This concept can include embedded brass or steel elements in the walkway flatwork, or a decorative pattern etched into the surface. The embedded elements or pattern will create a cohesive visual picture. Milestones along the pathway will allow visitors to experience the memorial while moving through the space. At the end of the pathway there will be a freestanding sculptural element with an informational signage panel in Spanish and English to describe the memorial with a Quick Response (QR) code link to the County’s COVID-19 Memorial website.
Concept B, Transparent Color Wall has an estimated project cost of $419,777. This concept will utilize the existing planting area adjacent to the Old Jail building. This concept will have a continuous undulating freestanding wall made of colored acrylic panels signifying the diversity and connection of Monterey County residents. The panels provide an opportunity to engrave names, text, and/or images into the acrylic. The wall will be transparent to maintain visibility. Height will be determined after review of corridor views. Lighting will be incorporated to allow colors to cast out into the planting areas.
Concept C, Lighted Steel Columns has an estimated project cost of $307,533. This concept is an artistic interpretation of the National COVID-19 Memorial in Washington, DC where lighted steel columns with cutout illustrative patterns or series of words are placed in the existing pedestrian path leading from Capital Street to the Administration building main entry. Medallions are placed in a concrete walkway at a vantage point where columns align and create a unified visual element. This concept includes informational signage in Spanish and English describing the artwork with a QR code link to the COVID-19 Memorial website.
Staff is seeking direction from the Board on preferred concept and location for the Countywide COVID-19 Memorial Project, and approval to add the COVID-19 Memorial Project to the approved FY 2021-22 Funded Capital Projects.
If approved, Staff will proceed with Community Engagement and design for the Countywide COVID-19 Memorial. Staff will return to the Board with the recommended funding source from the Budget Committee, for approval of the completed Memorial Project plans and specifications, and authorization to advertise for construction.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff has worked with the County Administration Office to identify potential funding sources for this project.
FINANCING:
Staff will return to the Board of Supervisors with the recommended funding source for the total estimated project costs up to $515,780 from the Budget Committee in order to proceed with community engagement, design, and construction.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This recommendation supports the Board of Supervisors’ Administration and Infrastructure Strategic Initiatives. Fostering a spirit of cooperation with the local community by engagement and providing this COVID-19 Memorial reflects well on local government, while enhancing pride in the local community by honoring its members. This Memorial will provide a space for quiet contemplation for those families and loved ones directly impacted by loss, and the community overall to reflect and instill hope for the future.
__ Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Nancy Ayala, Management Analyst II (831) 755-4848
Reviewed by: Florence Kabwasa-Green, Project Manager III, 831-796-6038
Lindsay Lerable, Chief of Facilities
Tom Bonigut, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE
Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - Project Budget
Attachment B - COVID-19 Local Data