HomeMy WebLinkAbout08. Art Civic Center-John Downey
AGENDA MEMO
DATE:
February 9, 2010
TO:
Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Office of the City Manager
By: Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
SUBJECT: CITY OWNED ART IN PUBLIC PLACES – GOVERNOR JOHN GATELY
DOWNEY
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve and appropriate $12,000 for the purchase and installation
of a bust of Governor John Gately Downey in the Civic Center area.
DISCUSSION
The City Council on November 22, 2005, approved and adopted Ordinance Number 05-
1182 amending the Downey Municipal Code, Article VIII, Building Regulations, by
adding a new chapter 10 titled “Art in Public Places”.
The ordinance established an Art in Public Places program that assesses a one percent
(1%) fee of the building evaluation on constructing or reconstructing a commercial
building with a building valuation of $500,000 or greater or a residential project
consisting of more than four units with a building valuation of $500,000 or greater.
The Developer has the choice to either install art or contribute the assessed fees to the
Art in Public Places fund. There are now sufficient funds to commission a public
sculpture. The Art in Public Places on January 26, 2010 recommended the purchase of
a bust of Governor John Gately Downey from sculptor, Mark Rode, to be installed in the
Civic Center area.
Sculptor Mark Rode received his certificate in Art and Design from Queensland College
of Art in 1984. He has exhibited in Australia and across the United Kingdom. A gallery
of is public art is available for viewing on his website markrode.ie. He has created
multiple Public Art Sculptures in the United Kingdom, including a bust of John Gately
Downey that was placed in the former governor’s hometown of Taughmaconnell Ireland.
The sculptor will create the cast from the original mold used for the bust in
Taughmaconnell.
The life-size bust weighs approximately fifty-five (55) pounds and measures 28” high by
16” wide.
California's first foreign born Governor, John Downey was born in Ireland in 1827.
Although a druggist by profession, he followed the Gold Rush to California and
prospected in Grass Valley. Eventually he prospered in business in Southern California,
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CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
where the town of Downey is named after him. He served on the L.A. Common Council
prior to his election to the State Assembly. As Lt. Governor, he succeeded Milton
Latham as Governor.
The ordinance created an Art in Public Places Advisory Committee appointed by and
advisory to the City Council. The committee reviews and makes recommendations to
the City Council on the developers’ choice of artist and proposed art piece. The City
Council has final approval of the artist and art project before the artwork may be
installed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available in the Art in Public Places Fund for the purchase and installation.
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S:\Agenda Memos CC 2010\02-09-10\Art in Public Places - John Downey.doc