Lead artist selected for Civic Square preferred concept
Last week, Council received an update from staff regarding next steps on the Civic Square renewal project. We're nearing the completion of the design work; however, Council has asked staff to report back in September so that Council and the community can get a better understanding of the design. We look forward to learning more about this in the fall and sharing further updates with the community. Please see the news release issued by the City of Burlington below.
Burlington, Ont.—July 16, 2024— The City of Burlington has a final preferred concept design for Civic Square. It has also selected LeuWebb Projects as the Lead Artists for the Civic Square Renewal project.
The reconstruction of Civic Square will make sure important infrastructure is renewed.The Civic Square final preferred concept is based on extensive engagement and feedback from the community. It is an evolution of Concept 2 - Atrium to include some design features from the other two concepts.The preferred concept includes key features such as:
a new entryway,
focal point canopies at Brant Street/James Street and Elgin Street,
continuous canopies along the building facade,
transitions to nearby properties and streets,
a variety of seating,
flag poles at the building entrance,
an in-ground water feature with water jets and
wave-themed patterns in paved surfaces.
The project is moving into Phase Three of its communication and engagement plan. This next stage will inform interested parties and the community of the final preferred concept design until September.
The upcoming project schedule includes detailed design, permits and approvals from July 2024 to March 2025, tender in February/March 2025 and construction from June 2025 to June 2026.
The construction budget for the project is $6.6M with funding from the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and the City.
“We’re excited to have a preferred concept design for the Civic Square and Brant Street project. The feedback and public engagement on this project has been instrumental in helping us reach this exciting milestone. The preferred concept design is an evolution of Concept 2 - Atrium with some modifications to include design features from the other two concept designs.The project is meeting all critical milestones, so construction of this project is expected to start in June 2025. Not only will the modernization of Civic Square ensure important infrastructure is renewed, it will also foster a healthier and more vibrant downtown core.”
- Marion Rabeau, Manager, Parks Design and Construction
How was the preferred concept chosen?
The City worked with consultants and used feedback from residents, businesses, community partners and Indigenous and First Nations groups to create three concepts for Civic Square, City Hall front entrance, façade and streetscapes. Residents, community partners and businesses were asked to view the concepts and answer a short survey online at getinvolvedburlington.ca/civicsquare or in-person.
Residents were able to pick their preferred concept and choose parts of the other concepts to combine them into a design that uses the best features of all three concepts. This helped the project team to create the best design to turn the area into a vibrant, exciting and accessible space where people can connect in the downtown core.Some of the intended final design objectives for the refresh are:
Enhancing community connections - Focus on walkability and amenities for pedestrians.
Versatility
Developing community identity - Bring together arts and culture through festivals, events and ceremonies.
Creating a welcoming, accessible and comfortable public space – A public space that is vibrant, safe and comfortable for all.
Civic Square Public Art
LeuWebb Projects will be working directly with the project team to develop integrated, permanent public artwork(s) to be installed in Civic Square. The artists will be working with the team over the summer and fall to identify public art opportunities and create a detailed public art plan for the site.
There will be more opportunities for the public to provide feedback on the public art plan at future events such as Food for Feedback.
The artwork will be installed in 2026 as part of the larger Civic Square construction project.
How was the lead artist selected?
A Call for Artists was issued in January 2024 to Canadian professional artists. The City received 43 applications. A community jury of local artists, arts professionals and project supporters reviewed the applications and selected four artists for the short-list. The shortlisted artists prepared a presentation about their work and project approach and were interviewed by the community jury.
Public art budget
The budget for the public art is $200,000. This includes Phase 1 -Public Art Plan and Phase 2 - Artwork Fabrication and Installation. The budget includes all components related to the artwork design, engineering, fabrication and installation. Ten per cent of the budget will go to the Public Art Maintenance Reserve. The funding for the public art is from a prior Community Benefits Charge contribution.
About LeuWebb Projects
LeuWebb Projects is a creative collaboration between artists, architects and educators Christine Leu and Alan Webb. Since 2011, LeuWebb Projects has created site-specific artworks, ranging from ephemeral, technology-driven installations to robust and permanent city fixtures. Combining their expertise with their shared core interests of access, activism and discovery, LeuWebb Projects operates at the intersection of art and design, imagining how the two can tangibly evoke past, present, and future narratives for a richer experience of place.Construction on the space will begin in the summer of 2025. The project will be complete in 2026.
For more information about the project and opportunities to provide feedback, visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/civicsquare.
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