4.2. BPASR 12-18-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 In the early 1840’s, Elk River was a welcome rest stop for travelers along the Red River Ox Cart Trail, a part of which is now US Highway 10. River boats brought people and goods to the town on the Mississippi River while travelers and settlers both navigated the Elk River. Today both these waterways remain places of relaxation and scenic adventures. By the 1850’s and 60’s railroad trains brought commerce and industry as well. The town inevitably grew and continued to welcome visitors to its rivers and parks into the next century. Charles Merritt Babcock, an Elk River resident, saw the need for road improvement throughout the state and joined the Minnesota Highway Commission, serving as its department head from 1917-1932. He proved instrumental in securing legislative support and funding, and in constructing roads and highways in Minnesota. His legacy is the statewide development of the Minnesota highway system and authored the Babcock amendment (1920) to the state constitution, which funded building and maintenance of roads throughout the state, a plan still in use today. An irony is that when Highway 10 was built through Elk River, the Babcock home was destroyed to make room for the roadway. Innovation has also been an earmark in Elk River’s energy resources, having earned the title, Energy City since 1997. The Elk River Reactor, which opened in 1960, was America’s first rural atomic power plant and was a pilot installation to provide small, inexpensive nuclear power to widespread areas. By 1989, The Great River Energy plant had been restructured to produce energy from municipal waste products. “Elk River is a hub of energy technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green products, and the adoption of sustainable living practices,” says the Energy Commission. The City of Elk River is home to a 5kW solar installation, used to teach the value of using solar energy. The city also encourages the use of electric vehicles and has installed charging stations in town. 3. Overall Scope of Services A. The artist shall incorporate the theme of their public art piece around history, community and/or natural resources in Elk River. The judging panel will also be open to interactive art that still meets the requested themes. B. Artists are asked to develop a mockup, rendering, or sample of a public art installation (project) as an entry as an RFP. Entries may include photographs, drawings or renderings no larger than 24” x 36” or modeled on a base no larger than 2’ x 2’. Entries must include two- and three-dimensional renderings: 1,800 pixels wide in one PDF and include title, description and dimension. C. Background The Elk River Public Arts Plan states two elements must be discussed and defined in the proposal. One is the role of public art. The other is the role and management of the program to support public art. The plan concluded that successful public art meets the following characteristics. a. It is accessible to the public (location and financially) b. Has context specific to the site or community c. Includes community involvement d. Can express community values, enhance the environment, transform a landscape, heighten awareness, or question assumptions D. Locations and Maintenance