Auto Planters: relevant reclamation of greenspace
r salant, in collaboration with fabricator Lorenzo Scruggs & woodworker Will McGown
• Title of project: Auto Planters: relevant reclamation of greenspace
At a time when the Edge District is on the verge of increasing development and multiple pending deals, I sought out something to work within that reality. These public sculptures are MOVEABLE. I am recommending 8 spots for these 3+ sculptures to exist. Commercial real estate plans often take years to get off the ground or fall through, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity to improve upon these vacant locations (Budget includes a estimates for moving cost.) By searching for each of these unique auto-planters, pedestrians follow routes along Monroe or Madison/Marshall. These locations consider feedback from participating local business owners.
Locations include the following: 1. appx 607 Monroe Ave, vacant lot E of Kudzu’s, South side 2. appx 405 Monroe Ave, vacant lot W of Will McGown’s, South or North side 3. Premiere Palace 629 Monroe, on sidewalk to replace existing pallet benches 4. appx 668 Monroe Ave, West of Walker Radiator’s, North side 5. appx 26 S Orleans, vacant (unkempt) lot West of Auto Wreck Experts, East side 6. appx 571 Marshall, vacant lot South of Garden Path Studio, South side 7. West intersection of Marshall & Monroe, East of fire hydrant 8. several could be placed in triangular park South of Orleans Trolley Stop
Scrapped automobile shells are repurposed to create and reclaim intrinsic green social spaces in the Edge district. These unique and iconic practical sculptures provide visual cues for meandering or purposeful pedestrians to make their way East from downtown along Marshall or Madison. For the purpose of this budget the model is 3 planters, with per car costs outlined.
Each auto planter includes indigenous year-round (sturdy) foliage recommended by a local specialist for easy maintenance and survival, as well as 2 facing benches for picnicking or stopping to listen to a track about the spot, found on a free downloadable walking tour.(separate budget required. See WALKTHISWAY proposal.
This project is born from combination of recent Edge history and donations from existing Edge tenants & businesses who have offered to donate automobile shells to use in these planters.
State what aspect of your research findings inspired this project: • Describe materials to be used:
Much of the material required for the fabrication of these planters is donated by Edge businesses.
-Used car bodies, hollowed & cut, from Tracy’s Foreign Car Service, Carson Automotive, and possibly Auto Wreck Experts. THANK YOU!!!! -Bench slats crafted of lasting hardwood, crafted by Edge furniture craftsman Will McGown. -Donated (filled) tires. Industrial landscape cloth. Native plantings (bamboo, empress, sedum acre). -Powder coating for durability and curb appeal (ha ha ha) Stencils, spray paint, & sealant for surface.
Give a basic timeline that includes the following; fabrication, installation, duration of work, and de-installation (if applicable).
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Describe any special installation or site preparation needs:
If your proposed piece is meant to be permanent, what kinds of long term maintenance do you fore see?
POSSIBLE Timeline: October through December 2015, secure material donations and location permissions. January through February 2016 fabrication. March 2015 installation. The perfect launch event would include listening stations playing recorded interviews with local automobile industry people, past & present, April or May 2016.
Tires filled with expansive material (like fix-a-flat) make them airless, so no flats on these planters! The hard tire supports allow total drainage. Permission from the city is an unknown challenge. As previously stated, the benefit of this greenspace is it’s mobility if need be. Planters can be moved with a flatbed towtruck for $250. Developer friendly greenspace. Really.
There already exists public tree service for the trees at the park facing the Orleans Station trolley stop. Those trees are far more challenging to maintain with their glorious soaring height and breadth. Comparably these planters require little maintenance, trimming them when they exceed 15 feet or begin leaning from a storm. Their growth is naturally somewhat limited by the limited size of their rootable area (to be confirmed with Diane Meucci of Gardens Oy Vey.) The wooden slat seats may need to be maintained or replaced similar to any public park bench, 3-5 good years with zero maintenance (sayeth Will McGown.). Longer life with annually maintained hard oil treatment.
BUDGET ESTIMATE:
Artist Fees: Project design, production management, fabrication oversight, surface design & application, installation. $5000
Engineering & Consultant Fees: Structural, mechanical, electrical, etc. as needed to develop proposal. $200 structural consultation for best street support (if using actual tires, identify best fill material)
$200
Fabrication: Including all costs related to materials, fabricators, contractors and fabrication.
*NOTE: powder coating bid came back at $2000 per car –but would be lovely and longest lasting.
Frame fabrication ($4000 per car x 3), Wood seating slat fabrication ($400 per car x 3), Base Body Paint* ($600 per car x 3) Industrial landscape/pond liner ($125 x 3) Tire Fill Material ($100 x 3) Plantings ($50 x 3) Engraved plates ($50x4) [Remaining materials to be solicited as donations.] 12,000 +1200 1800 425 300 150 150 =
$16,025
Pick up & delivery of each planter to/from Scruggs ($250 x 6) Dirt delivery to planters ($250)
1500 + 250
$1750
Contingency: Sufficient to cover unexpected developments that are the artist’s responsibility (10% suggested).
10% of $22,975
$2298
+ Liability Insurance
Total Budget: $25,273 + necessary insurance
Lead Artist: r salant robin@rsalant.com 1910 Madison Avenue, Memphis TN 38104-2620
with Lorenzo Scruggs lcs@lorenzoscruggs.com & Will McGown