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Dunedin Considering Public Arts Requirement for Developers

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 17, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - A city committee wants developers to help pay for public art in the city.

After hearing the panel's ideas, the City Commission told City Manager Robert DiSpirito it wants to move forward with consideration of the idea.

Under the proposal from the Dunedin Public Art and Culture Committee, developers would be asked to spend 1 percent of their project's estimated cost, up to a maximum of $200,000, on artistic trappings in public areas.

The idea would be part of the public art ordinance commissioners told DiSpirito to begin drafting.

Barbara Hubbard, who represented the Public Art and Culture Committee at a recent City Commission work session, said public art adds value to a development and is an integral part of a city's cultural and economic growth.

A piece of sculpture is not the only sort of public art the committee is trying to foster, Hubbard said. It could also be creative lighting, murals or the unusual placement of stairwells, fountains and other architectural design elements, Hubbard explained.

The city should also be at the forefront of incorporating art into its projects and serve as an example to private property owners, she said.

Mayor Bob Hackworth said the city will hold meetings to elicit opinions from developers and residents on the 1 percent expenditure requirement and other possible aspects of the proposed public art ordinance. The meetings would be held before the City Commission considers the art ordinance, the mayor said.

The commission has already adopted architectural design guidelines intended to help developers pass city site- plan review, Hackworth noted.

Any public art ordinance should have specific guidelines so everyone knows what is expected of them, he said.

Commissioner Dave Eggers said he is in favor of helping the arts flourish but is not sure developers should be mandated to spend a specific amount on public art.

Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski said she would prefer an ordinance that is not overly restrictive.

For example, the public art expenditure should not be a requirement for gaining a certificate of occupancy for a building, Bujalski said.

The committee has suggested making certificates of occupancy contingent on developers meeting the 1 percent art-spending requirement.

Commissioner Deborah Kynes suggested more art in public places would aid the city's economic development by attracting baby boomers here.

Commissioners asked DiSpirito to consider other public art ordinances in compiling the city's version.

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