THE EDISON PUBLIC ART PLAN a LAND studio Production
GEOGRAPHY + CONTEXT
• The Edison
• Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway
OVERVIEW
• Existing Public Art
• Existing + Future Public Art
• Neighborhood Public Art
• Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway Public Art
GOAL
• Create a magnetic experience that draws people into and through the neighborhood.
• Existing + Prospective Public Art Locations
AUDIENCE
CONNECTIVITY
PRECEDENTS
PHASE 1
• The Edison
• Approach
PHASE 2
• Breakwater Block
FUNDING STRUCTURE & OPPORTUNITIES
Where lake and city meet. Front and center. The Edison at Gordon Square combines upscale urban living with an irresistibly eclectic neighborhood charm. Conveniently located within the Gordon Square Arts District, this contemporary, new apartment community offers open floor plans, exclusive amenities - like a heated pool, park and fitness center - plus breathtaking lakefront views. Now you can enjoy both the subtle sophistication of modern living and vintage streetscapes rich with nightlife, arts and culture.
www.edisongordonsquare.com
Gordon Square is a vibrant lakefront neighborhood just west of downtown Cleveland that is anchored by arts and cultural activities. Some of the city’s best theatres, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues are located here. The neighborhood offers a range of housing opportunities for everyone, from new construction homes and townhouses in Battery Park to new luxury apartments at The Edison and lofts at The Shoreway, from rehabbed homes to rehab projects, from affordable housing to subsidized apartments for artists.
www.gordonsquare.org
The Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway spans the entire length of Cleveland’s 17-mile Lake Erie shoreline from the City’s eastern border with Euclid and it’s western border with Lakewood. This bikeway links Cleveland’s cultural centers and medical hubs at University Circle with Downtown and the North Coast Harbor via the Harrison Dillard Bikeway through Rockefeller Park. The Lakefront Bikeway consists of both off-road paths and on-street, signed routes. This bikeway provides cyclists access to some of Cleveland’s best architecture as it passes through traditional neighborhoods such as Collinwood to suburban Bratenahl, before reaching Downtown and then onward through Ohio City before reaching the scenic beauty Edgewater State Park and the stately old homes along Edgewater Drive.
The neighborhood understands the value parks and recreation areas offer a neighborhood. These quality of life resources are important for playing, learning and growing. They provide a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and server as meeting places for residents and friends. Through partnerships with Cleveland Public Theatre and Park Works, the neighborhood’s parks host plays, activities, sporting events, painting, and other fun activities for children and adults.
www.detroitshoreway.org
Much of the Gordon Square neighborhood is dotted with old industrial buildings, creating a dichotomy of old meets new. Many of the new development sites sit where industrial Cleveland used to exist. These existing companies not only add character to the city, but offer opportunities for creative reuse and public art experiences in unexpected places.
ENTERTAINMENT/TOURISM
Our diverse community is reflected in the neighborhoods two theatres and venues for local acts to perform. You will be able to enjoy first-run and independent movies at the Capitol Theatre. Check out cutting-edge, experimental plays at Cleveland Public Theatre. And, coming to the neighborhood is Near West Theatre, a community-based theatre with big productions at a really small ticket cost. Then head to a cool neighborhood bar for a pint and listen to a great band. Just to name a couple; Happy Dog and The Parkview Nite Club offer great food and awesome entertainment.
www.detroitshoreway.org
GOAL: Create a magnetic experience that draws people into and through the neighborhood.
EXISTING PUBLIC ART LOCATIONS
PROSPECTIVE MURAL LOCATIONS
PROSPECTIVE GATEWAY LOCATIONS
PROPOSED GREEN SPACE LOCATION
AUDIENCE
AUDIENCE
Gordon Square, like most neighborhoods, has a complex makeup of residents, industries, and geographies that make it special to many groups of people, both transient and permanent. It is important to identify and understand these groups of people who hold varying degrees of stake in the success of the neighborhood. The following outlines a few of the major stakeholders who should be considered.
THE EDGEWATER VISITOR
Couples and families visiting Edgewater Park to swim, picnic, attend an event, or visit the beach house. This group typically drives in from the suburbs and parks at the beach. They are unfamiliar with the Gordon Square neighborhood, but are adventurous and always looking for fun, new things to do and explore. Occasionally, they will wander south to Detroit Avenue to explore.
THE GORDON SQUARE VISITOR
Couples, families, and friend groups traveling from the suburbs and surrounding neighborhoods to shop, eat, and explore. This group typically drives or rideshares to the neighborhood. They spend most of their time between Detroit Avenue and the railroad tracks, mostly at restaurants, shops, or 78th Street Studios. Occasionally, they will wonder north to Edgewater Park.
Has a very good sense of location. Knows the trails and scenic routes. Typically bikes, runs, or walks from the neighborhood or surrounding neighborhoods. Occasionally will stop at Edgewater to enjoy the view and rest. Rarely stops to grab a bite to eat or a drink at one of the many restaurants. Some serious Exercisers will come from the suburbs and make a short day of their journey, stopping to both site-see and grab a bite and a beer.
THE RESIDENT(S)
The Traditional Resident: Very familiar with the neighborhood. Tends to stick to what they know and like; their favorite spots and routes. May not be immediately open to a quickly changing community.
The Hipper Resident: Always searching for new things. Appreciates both the traditional neighborhood fabric and the changes taking place.
THE EXERCISER
PRECEDENTS:
Wynwood Walls + Dequindre Cut + Indianapolis Cultural Trail
Indianapolis Cultural Trail
Dequindre Cut
Wynwood Walls Gordon Square - The Edison
MILE
MILE
MILE
MILE
PRECEDENTS:
Wynwood Walls
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Wynwood Walls was conceived by the renowned community revitalizer and placemaker, the late Tony Goldman in 2009. He was looking for something big to transform the warehouse district of Wynwood, and he arrived at a simple idea:
“Wynwood’s large stock of warehouse buildings, all with no windows, would be my giant canvases to bring to them the greatest street art ever seen in one place.” His goal was to create a center where people could gravitate to and explore, and to develop the area’s pedestrian potential.
The Wynwood Walls became a major art statement with Tony’s commitment to graffiti and street art, a genre that he believed was under appreciated and not respected historically. He wanted to give the movement more attention and more respect:
“By presenting it in a way that has not been done before, I was able to expose the public to something they had only seen peripherally.” In 2010, building on the momentum of the year before, Goldman Properties added 10 more artists to their roster of Walls. They opened the Wynwood Doors, Tony Goldman’s nod to traditional portrait galleries and expanded the mural program outside the Walls.
Since its inception, the Wynwood Walls program has seen over 50 artists representing 16 countries and have covered over 80,000 square feet of walls becoming a must see international destination. With each year the Wynwood Walls endeavors to expand its breadth, introduce well known and emerging artists and bring world class art to the community.
www.thewynwoodwalls.com
WYNWOOD WALLS vs THE EDISON
Wynwood boasts a number of unique experiences related to its location within the country and Miami, its tropical climate, and large population, making it a tourist destination. The density of warehouse buildings has made it an optimal landscape for mural art, retail, and entertainment. By comparison, The Edison is a much smaller area made up of residential and commercial use. What makes The Edison unique is its proximity to Edgewater Park and Gordon Square’s retail corridor. Situated inbetween these two destinations, and bisected by the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway, makes The Edison a magnetic, central node adding to the walkability of the nieghborhood. The addition of public art and programming to The Edison will create the destination experience we are looking to achieve.
Wynwood Walls
PRECEDENTS: Dequindre Cut
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Dequindre Cut Greenway is an urban recreational path that opened to the public in May of 2009. The two-mile greenway was developed through a public, nonprofit and private partnership—comprising the federal government, City of Detroit, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation—and offers a pedestrian link between the East Riverfront, Eastern Market and several residential neighborhoods in between.
Formerly a Grand Trunk Railroad line, the Dequindre Cut is a predominately below-street level greenway, just north of the riverfront. Well-known for its examples of urban artwork and graffiti, the greenway features a 20-foot-wide paved pathway, which includes separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
It runs from Gratiot Avenue to Mack Avenue and takes pedestrians into the heart of Eastern Market. Buildings on each side of the Cut along this stretch provide users with a glimpse of what the railway looked like when it was a busy hub of activity bringing people and products to Eastern Market and to the Detroit Riverfront.
Also along this stretch, the Wilkins Street Plaza with its soaring canopy, bike racks and a variety of seating options, provides a place for pedestrians to take a break while visiting the Dequindre Cut.
www.detroitriverfront.org
PRECEDENTS: Indianapolis Cultural Trail
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is an 8-mile world class urban bike and pedestrian path in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail seamlessly connects neighborhoods, cultural districts and entertainment amenities while serving as the downtown hub for central Indiana’s vast greenway system.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is managed by a nonprofit, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. (ICT, Inc.). ICT, Inc. works to thoughtfully manage, maintain and continue to grow and improve all aspect of the Trail to ensure it continues to exist as a worldclass public space for residents and visitor of Indianapolis.
The Cultural Trail was built using funds from large public and private collaboration with partnerships from Central Indiana Community Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and several not-for-profit organizations devoted to building a better city.
Mission Statement
Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. ensures that the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a beautifully maintained and vibrant community asset connecting people and places in downtown Indianapolis.
Vision Statement
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is recognized around the world for enriching the lives of Indianapolis residents and visitors by providing a beautiful connection to each other, culture, art and healthy living.
www.indyculturaltrail.com
PHASE 1: The Edison
PHASE 1:
The Edison
PHASE 1: THE EDISON
The Edison is ideally located along and within many Cleveland assets including the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway, and between the heart of one of the city’s most up and coming neighborhoods, Gordon Square and Cleveland’s lakefront park, Edgewater Park. Because of this central location, The Edison has the potential to be a magnet space that draws people to and through the development to better connect those exploring the Gordon Square neighborhood.
Phase 1 focuses specifically on The Edison footprint and adjacent properties. Public art implementation at the following sites will have the greatest impact on the The Edison and help to draw visitors and residents alike to and through The Edison.
TIMELINE
18 months - 2 years
- Fundraising/Planning: 12–18 months
- Implementation/Prep: 6 months
Property Owner: NRP
Opportunities:
• Lighted Water Tower
• One, all-encompassing mural
• Three separate murals
• Programmable Space
- Open Air Gallery
- Revenue Generating Event Space
- Commercial Space
Estimated Budget:
$50,000 – $100,000
Precedent Art/Artists:
Hense, ATL
Aaron De La Cruz, CA Pantone, Spain
Natalie Lanese, CLE
Terran Washington, CLE Justin Michael Will, CLE
Hense, ATL
Aaron De La Cruz, CA
Okuda San Miguel, SPA
Felipe Pantone
Os Gemeos
OPEN AIR GALLERY
The open air gallery is a space for creative exploration and exhibition in the public realm. Similar to that of Wynwood’s open air museum, the Watertower Building would serve as a space for rotating artworks ranging from painted murals, to mixed media and sculpture, to digital artwork. The building could be retrofitted with a lockable, gated entrance that is open during the day for visitors and passersby. Traditional artwork would have to be secured in a way that could not be removed or omitted altogether from this plan. Ideal applications would include murals, large sculptural structures, and suspended artworks.
REVENUE-GENERATING EVENT SPACE
The revenue-generating event space could be a recreation or artst venue for use on a rental basis. Rental could be based on an hourly/daily rate and be used for a range of events from theater performances, to weddings, to recreational events like yoga, volleyball, and more.
COMMERCIAL SPACE
The commercial space approach would create that destination opportunity that is lacking in this area. This approach also bakes in long-term maintenance and security for the Watertower Building which could include a restaurant, cafe, office spaces, or other retail.
The design of this space is intended to improve the aesthetic value of the trail while providing an area for users to engage while taking a break. A circular well-lit plaza, partially shaded with vegetation, insures safety while providing comfort and an ample scope of relaxation for individuals using the path. Incorporating amenities like bike stations, the space becomes a destination for cyclists and friends while increasing the value of the space. By improving the quality of the space, a sense of place and community for residents and incomers is hoped to be achieved.
PERSPECTIVE 1
PERSPECTIVE 2
The design of this green space incorporates a linear, well-lit, open plaza encouraging users to move freely through the space. Small trees provide shade to visiting guests while improving the aesthetic value of the entire path. A seating area that flows seamlessly through the space is intended to give the surrounding built area a more naturalistic feel. This space is aimed to be a relaxing destination for users while giving them an opportunity to do what they feel and come and go as they please.
PERSPECTIVE 1
PERSPECTIVE 2
Adding vegetation with seasonal interest helps to improve the user’s experience along the path. A naturalistic approach to plantings can create a better atmosphere for individuals viewing or using the space. Light fixtures are added along the trail to increase pedestrian safety and discourage loitering. The intent of this design is for individuals to feel safe and comfortable when visiting this area.
LAND studio can help find an appropriate planting pallet and light fixtures to accommodate the site.
The Edison Bike Plaza: Concept A
PHASE 1: APPROACH 1: $60K
APPROACH
The following outlines an approach for implementation of Phase 1. These approaches can be implemented separately or at once and assumes LAND studio as the project manager to oversee project implementation.
APPROACH 1
Budget: $60,000
• 1 Focal Mural
• 1 Trail Surface Treatment
• 1 Greenspace Sculpture/Interactive Art
• Programming
The 50K approach is an initial approach to The Edison Public Art Plan meant to draw attention and funding interest to the district with an attainable starting budget. This approach can be thought of as a pilot project demonstrating high impact mural artwork, surface treatments, interactive sculptures and amenities, and pop-up and seasonal programming opportunities.
The approach focuses on Warehouse West Wall (2), Trail Activation (9), and the Parklet Greenspace . This portion of the Edison footprint is a high traffic, high visibility area where multiple treatments can be demonstrated.
TIMELINE 6–10 months
APPROACH 2
Budget: $100,000
• POW! WOW! Cleveland http://powwowhawaii.com
- Murals
- Arts & Music Programming
- Becoming part of the POW! WOW! portfolio
Centered around a week-long event in Hawaii, POW! WOW! has grown into a global network of artists and organizes gallery shows, lecture series, schools for art and music, mural projects, a large creative space named Lana Lane Studios, concerts, and live art installations across the globe. The festival is expanding to cities and countries such as Taiwan, Long Beach, Israel, Singapore, Jamaica, Washington D.C., Guam, New Zealand, Germany and more.
Partnering with POW! WOW! provides a unique opportunity to create both art and programming around The Edison, using the POW! WOW! brand to draw national and international attention to the project while bringing a unique arts culture to the Gordon Square neighborhood. POW! WOW! leverages their extensive relationship with renowned street artists to descend on a city for a week of mural painting, arts programming, and fun. Many of the participating artists come out just to be a part of the festival. Their highly skilled team can add a level of professional marketing and documentation to The Edison Public Art Plan through short films, photography, and publicity.
The 200K approach will afford approaches 1 and 2 with the addition of one or two gateway elements making for a robust initial round of public art enhancements to Phase 1 of The Edison Public Art Plan.
TIMELINE 12–18 months
PHASE 2: Breakwater Block
PHASE 2:
Breakwater Block
BREAKWATER BLOCK
Phase 2 identifies surrounding locations and properties suitable for public art enhancements. These sites add density to Phase 1 and extend the boundaries of the public art footprint at The Edison.
• 1 Medium to Large-scale Mural (Local/National/ International Artist)
Property Owner:
Cleveland Lofts I, LLC
Opportunities:
• 2 Small-scale Murals (Local/National Artists)
Property Owner:
Opportunities:
• 1 Small to Medium-scale Mural (Local/National Artist)
The Parkview Nite Club
RANGE OF POTENTIAL FUNDING
CONCEPTS
1. THE CLEVELAND LAKEFRONT BIKEWAY (CLB)
Funding opportunities would be targeted through a CLB lense. In this scenario, The Edison Public Art Plan is seen as a way to build upon a scenic bikeway already teeming public art.
The Edison Art Plan would be integrated into a larger vision for public art along the city’s lakefront. LAND studio, Gordon Square, and other partners would seek grants on an ongoing, ad hoc basis to implement recommendations over time.
2. NON-PROFIT ADOPTION
LAND studio and NRP would work with a local nonprofit to adopt the plan in order to oversee its longterm maintenance and funding. This could be accomplished through an existing organization or the creation of a free-standing organization similar to Wynwood. Such an organization could be supported through a combination of grants, earned revenue (e.g. water tower space rentals and events), and a small “transfer tax” related to apartment turn-over at The Edison.
3. NEARWEST PLACEMAKING FUND
Developers in the surrounding area contribute to a fund that will be directed toward public art initiatives in the Gordon Square District in close proximity to those developments.
Seeded by a consortium of active, forward-thinking developers on the nearwest side, their initial investment could be used to leverage matching funds and grants from public and philanthropic sources. Early stage private investors could include owners of:
• The Edison
• Templin Bradley
• Battery Park
• The Shoreway
• The Van Roy Building
• Church & State
• W. 25th St. Lofts
• Edge 32
• Mariners Watch
• Snavely
This money-where-your-mouth-is consortium could
potentially attract support from Ward 3 and Ward 15 council representatives, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, The Cleveland Foundation, The Gund Foundation, and Murphy Foundations, to name just a few. This would be a new, experimental collaborative funding model for Cleveland.
