Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approval of the Public Art Concept and to Proceed with a Commission Agreement for Artwork at the SW Paar Drive and SW Darwin Boulevard Roundabout.
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, AICP, Senior Planner/Public Art Program
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to Enjoy Culture, Nature and Recreation.
Executive Summary (General Business): Approve the public art concept for the SW Paar Drive and SW Darwin Boulevard roundabout consisting of three cast-bronze animal sculptures and authorize staff to proceed with a commission agreement with artist Michael McClaughlin (“Artist”). The three proposed animals are a sandhill crane(s) on a palm tree, Florida panther on a magnolia tree, and bear cub(s) on a blooming hibiscus. While the Artist has identified three preferred animals based on public input, these selections represent the community-informed species direction only. The Artist has not finalized the detailed renderings or sculptural compositions. Concept approval at this stage establishes the medium (bronze), animal quantity (three), general placement envelope, and project budget. During the Final Design Period outlined in the agreement, the Artist will develop full design rendering of each sculpture and return to Council for review and approval prior to fabrication and installation.
Presentation Information: Designing Local, the City’s public art consultant, will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the public art concept for three bronze sculptures by artist Michael McClaughlin, incorporating the animal subjects listed above, as recommended by the Public Art Advisory Board.
Alternate Motions:
1. Move that the Council amend the Public Art Advisory Board’s recommendation and approve the motion as amended.
2. Move that the Council deny approval, reject the proposal, direct that the project be rebid, and/or provide alternative direction to staff.
Background: Roundabouts are priority locations for public art identified in the City’s adopted AIPP Master Plan. Public Works identified two new roundabouts on SW Paar Drive suitable for public art installations. A steel dragonfly sculpture was selected for the SW Paar Drive and SW Savona Boulevard roundabout. This agenda item seeks approval to purchase and commission the artwork concept for the SW Paar Drive and SW Darwin Boulevard roundabout.
An Artist Selection Committee was formed with representatives from Public Works, Planning and Zoning, Special Events, Communications, the St. Lucie County Cultural Alliance, and Public Art Advisory Board. The committee evaluated submissions based on artistic excellence, context, community engagement, durability, technical feasibility, and cost. The four highest-ranked RFQ respondents were shortlisted and invited to submit full proposals.
The selection committee recommended Michael McLaughlin as the artist for the subject roundabout, and the Public Art Advisory Board concurred. The artist proposes three cast-bronze animal sculptures for the Paar & Darwin Roundabout. Concept approval sets the medium, quantity, general placement envelope, and establishes the budget. During the Final Design Period, the artist will submit three candidate species inspired by Treasure Coast fauna for review, with final species selection and detailed design returning to Council prior to fabrication and installation.
On March 4, 2026, Planning and Zoning and Public Works met with neighborhood residents to gather input on preferred animal species for the roundabout artwork at their community entrance. This feedback guided the thematic direction. In response, the artist has prepared preliminary species concepts (listed above), with detailed sculptural renderings to be completed during the Final Design Period.
Issues/Analysis: The artist proposes three independent cast-bronze sculptures modeled as life-sized native animal species. The sculptures will be designed to visually relate as a complementary grouping and are expected to be approximately 6.5-9.5 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Finalized designs will be submitted for Council approval before fabrication.
Financial Information: The project budget is $150,000 to be paid out of the Art in Public Places Fund. No taxpayer dollars will be utilized.
Special Consideration: The roundabout will include minimal landscaping to allow flexibility for final sculpture placement. The 42-foot diameter results in a smaller-scale project than recent installations, with a proportionate budget. The roundabout design also incorporates lighting.
Location of Project: Southwest Paar Drive & Southwest Darwin Boulevard
Business Impact Statement: N/A
Attachments:
1. Artist’s Presentation
2. Michael McLaughlin - Full Submission
3. Request for Proposals (RFP)
4. Preliminary Landscape Plans
5. PAAB Minutes
6. Community Input Results
7. Consultant’s Presentation
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Carly Fabien, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.