Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Largo hoping to make art part of deal

By LORRI HELFAND
Published February 19, 2007

LARGO - To make Largo more of an artistic hub, city leaders are talking about requiring anyone building a major project to contribute to the city's public art.

Last week, Largo commissioners asked their staff to draft an ordinance that would require both the city and developers to incorporate professional artwork into major projects or to contribute to a fund to create public art.

More public art could help shape Largo's identity and improve the city's economy as well, officials said.

"It's a quality-of-life issue," Mayor Pat Gerard said. "It makes the city more attractive to businesses and families."

Peter Kageyama, president of Creative Tampa Bay, said he's glad that Largo is keeping up with cities such as Clearwater. That city's public art ordinance took effect in October.

Public art "enriches a community in a number of ways; it's not just an aesthetic issue," said Kageyama, whose nonprofit focuses on such things as creative industries and community development. He said public art creates important community landmarks and can foster community discussions.

It also can encourage tourism and create icons that help market a city and businesses, said Margo Walbolt, Clearwater's cultural affairs manager.

Public art advocates say many developers are also supportive.

"Most of them recognize the value of it. It enhances their own property," said Robin Nigh, public art administrator for Tampa, which adopted its program in 1985.

Public art can take many forms.

"It's not just a statue placed in a park," said Joan Byrne, Largo's recreation, parks and arts director.

For example, it can be incorporated into architectural features, street furniture or signs.

Nationwide, there are almost 400 public art programs. The first, driven by developers, was started in Philadelphia in 1959, Nigh said.

St. Petersburg also has a public art ordinance. And Dunedin and Tarpon Springs are pursuing ordinances. Pinellas County adopted an ordinance that sets aside a percentage of the costs of major capital improvement projects for public art, but the ordinance doesn't require contributions from private developers.

Largo leaders will discuss the public art program in more detail in a couple of months. It will probably be several months before city commissioners vote on the ordinance, Byrne said.

PINELLAS PARK

Toastmasters can help you with jitters

Do you feel like you're in a freeze frame the moment you're about to make a speech before an audience?

Toastmasters is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping members improve their public speaking, communications and leadership skills. Speak Easy Toastmasters Club 4698 meets each Monday at the King Buffet Restaurant, 7610 49th St. N. in Pinellas Park.

The club will hold a public speaking workshop beginning today from 6:15 to 8 p.m. The fee is $20 and will last for six sessions. For information and registration call Jim Martin at 536-3392.

COUNTYWIDE

Bothered by litter? Call this number

Keep Pinellas Beautiful has a new 24-hour litter reporting hotline residents can use to report litter problems: (727) 210-4663. The litter hotline is designed for large-scale litter problems or those that pose a public safety hazard, such as cases where items could create traffic problems. The hotline is not for reporting code enforcement problems such as overgrown lawns or minor instances of littering. Callers will need to provide a street address or intersection, description of the litter problem and a contact phone number. For more information, call (727) 210-4663 during regular business hours or visit the Web site at www.keep pinellasbeautiful.org.

Fast Facts:

Suggested public art requirements

The city would set aside a portion of the cost of major capital improvement projects valued at $500,000 or more for public art.

In downtown Largo, near Largo Mall and at the former Crossroads Mall, developers of projects valued at $5-million or more would have two options: incorporate professional artwork valued at 1 percent of their project's value or contribute 0.75 percent of the project's value to the city's public art program.

In other areas, developers of major projects would be required to contribute 0.75 percent of their project's value to the program. All public art contributions would be capped at $200,000.

[Last modified February 18, 2007, 21:58:03]