Public Art Bike Rack Designs Unveiled at Downtown Norfolk Council Member Briefing Norfolk, VA – At its monthly meeting for the membership, the Downtown Norfolk Council introduced the artists and unveiled the designs for five new bike racks that will also be pieces of public art. The bike racks will be strategically located throughout the downtown area. Prior to the introduction of the artists, DNC chairwoman Donna Phaneuf, President VIA Design introduced Frank Duke, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Norfolk. Mr. Duke reminded the audience that “Providing Transportation Choices” is one of the nine major themes in the City’s plaNorfolk 2030. To achieve the goal of being a more “bike friendly” city and downtown, he advised that recommendations are being developed that would incorporate requirements for bicycles in the City’s zoning ordinance. With the advent of Light Rail and the opportunities for Transit Oriented Development, changes to the city’s parking requirements are also being developed for recommendation. Each of the artists described their work and the inspiration behind it. They also identified where their particular bike rack would be located. Upon introducing each of them Donna Phaneuf, President expressed her enthusiasm for what the bike racks will add to the downtown landscape. “A part of making downtown memorable to visitors is adding the intrigue and whimsy of public art. A part of providing more transportation options and making downtown more environmentally sensitive is adding bike racks that support a more health conscious populous. The bike racks that are also public art do both and DNC is thrilled to be able to add these great amenities to downtown. Once the concept was approved by the DNC Board of Directors, a Request for Proposal was given wide circulation within the designer community. An independent committee reviewed all of the submittals and selected the artists. Each artist is responsible for the fabrication of their own design and then with the help of the Downtown Norfolk Council, the bike racks will be installed. “We are thrilled with the response we have had to this program and we are very grateful to the support that we have received from both our property owners and from the City as we sought to find spaces in the public right-of-way,” said Cathy Coleman, President of the Downtown Norfolk Council. “With everyone working hard, it is our plan to have the bike racks complete and in place by Spring of 2011.” Please see attached for a rendering of each design and a short bio of each of the artists. The Downtown Norfolk Council is a private, not-for-profit membership organization comprised of businesses and individuals working toward a dynamic, attractive and prosperous Downtown. DNC also manages the Downtown Norfolk Improvement District, a 48-block Special Services District providing enhanced services that keep Downtown friendly, safe and spotless. ### Edwin J. Pease, AIA Lillian S. Pease Ed Pease, an architect, lives in Williamsburg, Virginia and commutes by bike in a rural/suburban context, while Lillian Pease, an artist and designer, lives in Brooklyn, NY and bikes to work in that dense urban setting. Ed has over 30 years experience as an architect currently serving as an Adjunct Instructor in the Dept of Art & Art History, College of William & Mary as the Founder and Principal, Edwin J. Pease Architect and as the Senior Designer with Hands On! Inc in St. Petersburg, FL. Lillian a graduate of The Savannah College of Art and Design works in the fashion industry in New York City. She has exhibited her art work in Savannah, GA, Lacoste, France and Norfolk, VA. Wes Cheney Wes Cheney, until starting his own business this Fall, was a photographer and videographer for Norfolk Southern Corporation. A graduate of Old Dominion University Wes also served in the US Navy as a Photographer’s Mate, Second Class. While working with Norfolk Southern Wes has collaborated with a variety of other professionals in the design, fabrication and installation of complex photographic murals. Wes brings the experience of collaboration to this project by partnering with Norfolk Machine and Welding and Precision Powdercoating. Bill Spivey, RLA, APA Land Studio PC Bill is a Landscape Architect with in-depth experience in master planning and site design development. He enjoys the challenge of special use sites, community planning and revitalization projects. He is involved in a wide variety of projects ranging from grading and detailed design drawing for specific site elements to large scale master plans. Bill has received award recognition for design from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and The Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Board (CLARB). The creativity, passion for well developed conceptual design, and practical approach he brings to the design process assist in making projects successful. Peter Johnston 5forty Design, Inc Peter is one of the founders of 5forty Design an industrial design firm located in downtown Norfolk. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Peter is particularly interested in designing and fabricating sustainable furniture and creating installations for sustainability-minded buildings. His experience includes custom furniture for private residences to the fabrication and installation of sculptural pieces in commercial properties. Thom White, AIA Thom holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and is an Architect at Ivy Architectural Innovations. He's a resident of Port Norfolk, where he and his wife are renovating a house built in 1895. He is the singer of the local band Whispering Winds and is a founding member of FUNHAUS spatial improvisation group. www.funhaus.blogspot.com The Buoy Designer: Peter Johnson, Norfolk, Virginia Location North/West corner of Waterside Secures at least 4 bikes U Lock Designer: Wes Cheney, Norfolk, Virginia Location SE Corner of Commercial Place and Main Street at Norfolk Southern’s entrance Secures at least 6 bikes The Mermaid Designer: Bill Spivey, RLA, APA Norfolk, VA Location North side of City Hall Avenue between Court and Bank Streets Secures at least 2 bikes Bike Frame Collage Designer: Edwin J. Pease, AIA Williamsburg, VA Location TCC Plaza between Granby Street and Monticello Avenue Secures at least 2 bikes The Flat Iron Fork Designer: Thom White, AIA Norfolk, VA Location Flat Iron Park between Bute and Charlotte Streets Secures at least 6 bikes