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File Number: 16-248 <br />Joaquin Plaza was selected for the Exploratorium installation because it provides an <br />opportunity to activate a centrally -located public space in Downtown San Leandro. This <br />project will build on the ongoing efforts of the City and the San Leandro Improvement <br />Association (SLIA) to activate and beautify Downtown San Leandro. <br />During the conceptual design phase, City staff worked with a team from the Exploratorium that <br />included architects, landscape architects, and engineers to design a concept that works well <br />for this particular public space. The team agreed on a musical concept that allows <br />participants to trigger musical tones by interacting with tubular chimes that will be tuned to <br />specific pitches. Particular attention was paid to creating an installation that is audible enough <br />to be heard in the plaza, but not so loud that it negatively impacts local businesses or visitors. <br />The concept also includes fixed seating, ensuring that the plaza will remain an inviting public <br />space, even for those who do not opt to interact with the exhibit. <br />Per the grant agreement, the City is authorized to use its grant award to create a <br />science -based innovative and interactive Exploratorium art exhibit in Joaquin Plaza and <br />rehabilitate two of its community parks, Siempre Verde and Thrasher Parks. <br />Exploratorium staff brought a prototype to the 2015 Cherry Festival to witness and learn from <br />people's interaction with the prototype and plans to bring a more current iteration to this year's <br />festival. Staff presented and discussed the preliminary project designs with the City Council <br />Facilities and Transportation Committee, SLIA, and the San Leandro Downtown Association. <br />On March 1, 2016, the City and the Exploratorium hosted a public meeting in Joaquin Plaza to <br />showcase prototypes and conceptual drawings, and to answer questions, field concerns, and <br />receive feedback from the public and adjacent businesses. <br />Analysis <br />The cost of fabrication is slated to exceed the originally contracted amount by $15,000 (6.38% <br />of the original $235,000 budget). There were increases in the costs of parts and labor for <br />manufacturing the chime activation mechanisms, as well as the materials for the main support <br />arm weldments. Staff requests a change order in order to ensure completion of the installation <br />without having to reduce the number of interaction points within the exhibit. Available funds in <br />the General Fund Account 210-62-116, which is the contingency fund for the Siempre Verde <br />park improvements, are available for the additional cost and will not require a change to the <br />FY15-16 budget. <br />Previous Actions <br />• On January 6, 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2013-581 authorizing the <br />City Manager to submit an application for State of California Department of Housing and <br />Community Development's Housing -Related Parks Program Grant Funds. <br />• On October 14, 2014, the City and the Exploratorium entered into a Consulting Services <br />Agreement for the development of an initial concept design document to include elements <br />necessary to move forward with the design development phase. <br />• On December 1, 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-132 authorizing the <br />City of San Leandro Page 2 Printed on 611/2016 <br />