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Crystal City Metro Station Wall Mural

The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) is requesting qualifications outlining

relevant experience and a project portfolio from a visual artist(s) or team of artists to design and

implement a mural on a retention wall opposite the Crystal City Metro Station entrance. The

project is in the fast-transforming National Landing area of Arlington, VA, and is intended to

provide an attractive welcome and sense of arrival for people entering the downtown district via

transit.

Respondents should consider the estimated dimensions of the wall (provided herein) and their

relevant experience with delivering public art at this scale. Selected respondents will be

awarded a stipend to participate in a competition to develop design concepts specific to the

plaza context and retaining wall canvas. The preferred artist that wins the competition will

ultimately be awarded the mural project.

Project Purpose and Background

National Landing is a thriving mixed-use urban downtown that is set to experience momentous

change. With a growing population of over 26,000, and a development pipeline of more than

6,800 new residential units, National Landing is emerging as Virginia’s most vibrant, walkable

urban destination. The announcement of Amazon’s decision to relocate their HQ2 headquarters

in National Landing has unlocked an unprecedented amount of public and private investment as

well as next-generation transportation commitments that position the area to become the most

connected downtown in the county.

In April 2019, the National Landing BID released its Strategic Plan outlining a vision for

sustainable and inclusive growth and unifying Crystal City with its surrounding neighborhoods,

Pentagon City and Potomac Yard, into a thriving downtown area. The plan called for an

enhanced sense of place for the BID’s service area realized through urban design,

beautification, public art, and cultural programming.

As part of that vision, the BID, in a collaborative partnership with JBG Smith, is spearheading a

major update to the existing public plaza at the Crystal City Metro station entrance. These

improvements, planned for implementation in fall 2021, will include new, contemporary seating,

enhanced landscape, accent lighting, movable furniture, and a more open layout. The goal of

the project is to welcome residents, workers, and visitors “back to transit” after the pandemic

and to create an impactful and attractive arrival into National Landing.

To complement the catalytic investments surrounding the Metro Station, the BID is seeking to

create a signature mural at the Crystal City Metro station. The mural is scheduled for completion

this fall, following implementation of the proposed plaza improvements. The plaza

improvements and mural project combined are set to establish a warm welcome for returning

commuters and visitors.

RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Please send a proposal addressing the following:

• Cover Letter (1 page)

• Project proposal and approach (2 to 3 pages)

o Approach

o Proposed Schedule

• Team Qualifications (3 to 6 pages)

o Participating firms and/or individuals joining proposed bid

o Lead artist(s) profile (company and resumes)

o Relevant project experience with murals and large-scale public art

o Visual portfolio

o Individual Team Members: List individuals who will be working on the project,

which task they will specialize in, and the name of their organization if applicable.

Indicate independent members where necessary. Please include façade

preparation and mural implementation team where possible.

• Submission Format: Responses shall be submitted as a single PDF file.

• Due Date: 5:00pm on June 1, 2021

SELECTION PROCESS AND BUDGET

Interested and qualified artists should respond to this Request for Qualifications per the

instructions outlined above. The BID will conduct interviews with top applicants to help establish

a short list of the most qualified artists to perform the work. Up to five (5) selected artists (or

artist teams) will receive stipends to create a proposed concept design for the Metro Plaza wall

as part of a design competition. The project stakeholders will select a finalist based on the

project concepts reviewed. Upon selection, a binding fee and schedule will be requested from

the preferred artist(s) for a scope of services that will include: engaging stakeholders, finalizing

mural design and treatment, developing renderings and presentations, preparing wall surface,

and installing art. Note that all files, images, graphics, etc., related to the mural must be

provided in electronic format.

SCHEDULE

• May 17: RFQ released

• June 1: RFQ responses due at 5:00 pm EST

• June 11: Finalists announced for competition

• June 29: Finalists design concepts due

• July 16: Winning Concept Selection/Artist Notification

• Early August: Artist contract signed

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Non-signage visual: To avoid violating county signage rules, the design should in no

way act as signage. Further guidance will be provided to selected artists.

• Materials: The paint materials used to implement the mural will need to reasonably

withstand weathering, a masonry primer as well as appropriate types of paint. Should

panels be installed, the artist will work closely with BID staff (and a third party technician)

to ensure the installation(s) can withstand weather, or any other condition which may

prevent the piece from being secured.

POINT OF CONTACT

Direct all inquiries and correspondences to the contract manager at the following address:

National Landing Business Improvement District

Malaika Scriven

National Landing BID

VP, Planning and Development

[email protected]

PDF with additional information https://ctycms.com/va-national-landing/docs/metro-mural-rfp_final-051321.pdf

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