Placement: Resolutions / Quasi-Judicial Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Resolution 26-R43, Quasi-Judicial, Public Hearing, a Resolution Approving Artwork Submitted by Midway Glades Developers, LLC, in Connection with the Alternative Equivalent Proposal Request for Public Art for the Project Known as “Ladybug Hideaway” (P23-132-A2).
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, AICP, Senior Planner/Public Art Program
Strategic Plan Link: N/A - Development Application
Executive Summary (General Business): Midway Glades Developers, LLC (“Developer”) is requesting approval to install the previously approved artwork Ladybug Hideaway by Mark Fuller in an alternate location. The artwork was originally approved for placement within two commercial plazas flanking Wylder Parkway. Developer now proposes to install the artwork within an open space tract located between an existing wetland and Wylder Parkway.
Presentation Information: Staff and the Developer will both provide a presentation.
Recommendation: On May 18, 2026, the Public Art Advisory Board voted to forward a recommendation of approval to City Council for the newly proposed artwork location and redesign of the Alternative Equivalent Proposal request. Staff recommends approval subject to standard set of conditions applied to Alternative Equivalent Proposal approvals.
See background materials for the conditions.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the proposal subject to the conditions of approval outlined in Section 2 of the Resolution.
2. Move that the Council does not approve the proposal and provide staff and Public Art Advisory Board with direction.
Background: The artwork was approved by Council on May 13, 2024, through Resolution 24-R34 an Alternative Equivalent Proposal under Section 162.08. The original concept consists of twelve sculptural blades incorporating nineteen species of ladybugs, placed within two 5,100-square-foot plazas on the commercial tracts at the intersection of Midway Road and Wylder Parkway. The approved location was intended to provide an opportunity for the public to walk up to and through the art piece while exploring the various ladybugs for educational purposes. The location within a future commercial development was intended to provide parking and safe public access to the artwork.
The Developer proposes to consolidate the two plazas into a single installation within an open space tract, between a wetland and Wylder Parkway.
In March 2026, the Developer notified staff of their intent to relocate the artwork on a public right-of-way along a nature path with no parking. Any change in location requires returning to the PAAB and City Council for approval.
When an Alternative Equivalent Proposal is approved, a standard set of conditions is applied to ensure proper accountability and compliance. The standard conditions of approval are as follows:
1. A site plan application for the proposed “Ladybug Hideaway” public art sculpture must be submitted for Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) approval within 180 days of Council approval of the Alternative Equivalent Proposal.
2. A license agreement(s), and any additional agreement(s), between Developer, and other parties related to ownership, maintenance, and operation of the Alternative Equivalent Proposal must be submitted to the City for review and approval prior to the finalization of such agreement(s) to ensure conformance with Section 162.08(d) of the Port St. Lucie City Code.
3. A restrictive covenant, in accordance with Section 162.10 of the Code, is required to ensure retention and maintenance of the “Ladybug Hideaway” public art sculpture. The restrictive covenant must be recorded within ten (10) days of the issuance of the certificate of completion for the sculpture and must be approved by the City prior to execution and recordation.
4. Identified Projects within the Wylder area of the LTC DRI are eligible to fulfill their public art requirements through the value of the "Ladybug Hideaway” sculpture only if a remaining balance is available.
5. For each Identified Project within the Wylder developments and related projects in the LTC DRI, Developer must submit the project’s number and title, project location, and calculated public art assessment; demonstrate how the assessment is deducted from the Estimated or Actual Value (as applicable); and provide the remaining value (“Remaining Value”) for City approval. Public art assessments will be calculated on a plat-by-plat and site plan basis. Total construction costs for calculating the public art assessments will be based on the total construction costs for all property depicted on each plat within the development project.
6. Within thirty (30) days of Council approval of the Proposed Alternative Equivalent Proposal, Developer shall provide the City with the actual total construction costs for each recorded final plat and approved site plan within the LTC Ranch DRI to date. Construction costs for Wylder Parkway shall not be included. The public art assessment shall be calculated at one percent (1%) of the actual total construction costs, as documented in the construction contract(s) for the subject improvements, and shall be deducted from the Actual Value of the “Ladybug Hideaway” sculpture.
7. The public art assessment shall be calculated at one percent (1%) of the actual total construction costs.
8. Developer may not utilize any value of the “Ladybug Hideaway” sculpture toward Identified Projects until:
a. A detailed cost estimate for the sculpture (“Estimated Value”) is provided, consisting of components defined as “Art, artwork or work of art” under section 162.02 of the Code; and
b. A surety acceptable to the City is posted in the amount of the Estimated Value. The intent of the surety is to ensure that the City has a remedy in the event that: (i) the “Ladybug Hideaway” sculpture is not fabricated and installed, or (ii) the Actual Value of the “Ladybug Hideaway” public art sculpture is less than the public art requirements associated with the development projects, and there is a funding deficit.
9. Developer shall provide the City with the actual cost (“Actual Value”) of the “Ladybug Hideaway” sculpture within thirty (30) days of issuance of the certificate of completion. Only components defined as “Art, artwork or work of art” under section 162.02 of the Code may be included in the Actual Value.
Issues/Analysis: This request is submitted as an Alternative Equivalent Proposal (Option 4) under the City’s Public Art Ordinance for the Wylder sculptures known as “Ladybug Hideaway”. The originally approved design, authorized through Resolution 24-R34 on May 13, 2024, consisted of twelve monumental sculptural blades by Artist Mark Fuller. These blades, arranged in clusters of 8, 10, and 12 feet, were designed to resemble silver and green grass with nineteen species of ladybugs integrated throughout. The layout placed six clusters within each of the two plazas located on the commercial tracts at the intersection of Midway Road and Wylder Parkway.
The applicant is now requesting approval for a revised configuration and location. Instead of the two compact plazas, the proposal expands the installation into a linear design and adds 17 additional “sprout” sculptures. The new design forms an approximately 427-foot linear path, with sculptural clusters flanking both sides of the sidewalk. The changes propose a different way in which users experience the artwork. The artwork going from being a plaza-based gathering experience into a trail-style installation.
A relocation of the artwork from the originally approved commercial tracts requires returning to the Public Art Advisory Board and City Council for approval.
The alternate equivalent proposal satisfies the public art requirements for POD 1, POD 2, POD 4, POD 5, POD 6A, POD 6B, POD 7, POD 8A, POD 8B, POD 8C, POD 9, Tract A, Tract B, and Tract C.
Per Section 162.08(d), the submittal must contain all information and meet all criteria outlined in Section 162.09 for including public art on private development. Required elements include:
The artwork must be located in an exterior place and the application must include:
1. Artist's qualifications, including resume and portfolio establishing the artist's credentials.
2. Detailed description and depiction of the work of art and its location on the site.
3. Drawings and renderings of the proposed work of art, in terms of size, scale, color, shape, and materials in sufficient detail to provide a clear understanding of the art.
4. Maintenance program required for the artwork.
5. Compliance with public accessibility (ADA) requirements.
The City may approve the alternative equivalent proposal if it finds that:
1. The alternative equivalent proposal will further the purposes of the City’s Public Art Ordinance.
2. The proposed location of the alternative equivalent proposal is in reasonable proximity to the location of the site(s) generating the work of art requirement, in order to avoid clustering of all public art in one location.
3. The cost of the proposal will be equal to or greater than the cost of the public art assessment that would otherwise be required for each individual project.
4. The developer has established to the satisfaction of the City that the alternative equivalent proposal will create freely accessible public art in the City to an equal or greater extent than installation of public art on the individual project site or contribution to the Public Art Fund.
In approving a proposal, the City may impose reasonable conditions of approval requiring the developer to enter into agreements with the City or other public agencies or private parties to memorialize the legal obligations of all parties involved with the alternative equivalent proposal.
Financial Information: “Total construction costs” refers to the full cost of the approved improvements for a development project, excluding land value, as documented in the construction contract(s). With a projected construction cost of $1,400,000.00, the project is close to meeting the minimum public art assessment threshold required under Section 162.08(20)(a)-(c) of the City Code. Based on an artwork appraisal of $1,530,850.78, any remaining difference will be paid as a monetary contribution to the Public Art Fund.
Upon completion of construction, Developer intends to convey the land and responsibility for maintenance and operations to the LTC Ranch West Residential Community Development District. The City Attorney’s Office will need to review and approve any proposed agreements, deeds, etc.
Special Consideration: The proposed relocation would change how people can interact with the artwork. The original commercial location was meant to be a dedicated public space where anyone could walk up to the sculptures, look for the ladybugs, and enjoy the interactive elements. The new location is located on a path along Wylder Parkway, which is identified as an arterial roadway, that runs from Glades Cut Off Road and Midway Road. There is no parking associated with the artwork plaza; therefore, only pedestrians, primarily being the residents of the adjacent communities, will be able to access and engage with the site. The ordinance states that artwork must be “freely accessible”. As a result, far fewer members of the general public are likely to see or interact with the artwork, and it shifts from a public-facing experience to a semi-public neighborhood feature.
Location of Project: The proposed location is south of the intersection of Midway Road and Wylder Parkway, along the west side of Wylder Parkway.
Business Impact Statement: N/A
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Via Memo to Council
3. Project Narrative
4. Location Map
5. Previously Approved Location
6. Ladybug Hideaway Proposal
7. Artist's Resume
8. Hardscape Plan
9. Landscape Plan
10. Artwork Appraisal
11. Proposed Work Schedule
12. Sculpture Maintenance Plan
13. ADA Compliance Plan
14. Creditable Project List
15. Agent Authorization Form
16. Warranty Deed
17. Property Card
18. Staff 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: 26160-07
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Elizabeth L. Hertz, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.
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