Santa Clarita’s public projects could be getting artsier.
At their meeting Tuesday, the city council will be deciding whether to approve a Civic Art Policy proposed by the arts commission that would add extra city funds to public projects to create an art project, most often to be located on site.
“It is creating a sense of place in that location,” Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events Manager Phil Lantis said. “It’s a great opportunity to add some beauty and some interesting components to some of the city.”
Lantis points to the Cloud Gate in Chicago, or more locally, the wind sails and birds in the Bridgeport Marketplace, as ways art can become symbols for a location.
“We’re continuing to have that discussion because we have seen what public art can do in a community,” Mayor Cameron Smyth said. “As Santa Clarita continues to grow and change, looking at the possibility of funding public art is worth having a discussion.”
If approved, one percent of the funding for every project would be dedicated to an art piece.
This would be reserved for only city-funded capital improvement projects such as parks or bus stations, not private projects.
Arts commissioners maxed the art budget at $1 million per project, though Lantis said it will never come close to that high.
The proposal is part of the city’s Arts Master Plan, which had input from 1,500 community members.
Commissioners hope to enhance city spaces, increase property values, create tourism opportunities, provide access to artistic experiences and acknowledge artists through the policy.
Other business
- Additionally, the council will be allocating $40,000 to two advocacy firms to prevent Cemex from mining in Soledad Canyon. This will cover both firms, for $20,000 each, from November through December. This is a continued payment as a part of the city’s lobbying contract and is not targeted toward anything specific.
- A multiway stop control will be installed at the intersection of Via Princessa and Golden Oak Community School driveway.
- Council will award $241,693 for the fifth phase of the Sand Canyon Trail. Phases one and two of the multiuse trail run from the west side of Sand Canyon Road from Road Runner Road one mile south to Sky Ranch Road and phase three is between Lost Canyon Road and Road Runner Road. Phases four through six are between Sky Ranch Road and Placerita Canyon Road.
- The council will approve a parcel map for commercial condos in the Copper Ranch Plaza for 1.63 acres on 25174 Rye Canyon Road by Home Depot.
