The premise of this Memorandum is to provide background and a recommendation for an Art in Public Places Program for the City of Riviera Beach.

BACKGROUND

This subject came about during Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (RBCRA) meetings held on July 10, 2019 and November 13, 2019 by members of the Commission and concerns expressed from the public. Comments such as “selection of mural projects,” “recurring maintenance costs,” “determination of placement,” “selection of artists,” and “project design” to name a few were discussed. To date, the RBCRA has completed and installed nine (9) murals within the District. The Agency’s Public Art and Branding Project-Round II will have an estimated cost of $132,729.30. This program seeks to expand upon the successful effort and address public art through a comprehensive and collaborative approach citywide and enhance the efforts began by the Agency. Due to these efforts made by the Agency, our nascent efforts have been recognized globally and in 2019 received an award from the Florida Redevelopment Association for the mural projects located within Marina Village. Currently, there is no umbrella policy in place, which requires development projects to contribute to the City’s cultural infrastructure.

CITYWIDE GOAL

The primary goal of the Art in Public Places program is to establish a program for the integration of arts into both public and private development projects throughout the City of Riviera Beach. This program will visually enliven the city; illuminate the city’s history, diversity and culture; and foster economic development. This goal will be achieved through acquiring, exhibiting, and maintaining public art for public consumption in public spaces. It is important to note that the City will establish and reinforce  program terms and conditions. This in turn will send a message to the development and investment community that “we all must contribute to the cultural arts in the City of Riviera Beach.” There are a number of municipalities both locally and nationally which have such art infrastructure programs. There are a myriad of  best practice models for this type of program. It will be in the best interests of the City to create a program that is uniquely tailored to the diverse culture of our community fabric.

BENEFITS OF ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM:

•  Fosters Civic Pride                            

•  Attracts Cultural Tourism

•  Acknowledges Our Cultural History         

•  Enhances Our Physical Environment            

•  Supports the Local Economy                    

•  Provides Educational Opportunities

•  Brands the City                                  

•  Reduces Crime and Saves Money

•  Promotes Community Involvement   

•  Creates A Sense Of Place

Arts and culture simply equates to business and economic sustainability. It is estimated that the arts and cultural industry has an annual impact of $3 billion in the State of Florida, $345.3 million in Palm Beach County, and $15 million generated for local governments in the County.

FUNDING

Funding for the program will be derived from fees collected for new development and or remodeled projects. Funding for the program can be utilized in a number of ways whether to support art installations and/or cultural arts programs administered through the City of Riviera Beach. In the event a developer or project decides not to include artwork as part of a project’s aesthetic design, a fee-in-lieu of artwork placement can be tendered.

Parameters for funding:

•  One percent of total vertical construction cost

•  Project costs which exceeds $250,000 threshold- Designate 1% for art

•  Projects involving new construction of four or more residential units, affordable units excluded

• Commercial or industrial projects which incur development/project costs totaling more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

It should be the goal of this council to promote the philosophy that the arts are critical to the quality of life and livability of our community. Studies show that there is a strong linkage between support of the arts and a city’s economic vitality. The sustained long-term vitality and competitiveness of our city should be strengthened by an investment in the arts. The expression of art will not only improve the aesthetics of our city, but also improve and highlight our mantra as “The Best Waterfront City to Live, Work, and Play.”

FISCAL IMPACT

To be determined by staff.

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