Workspaces & Wayside: Public Art at ESS South
| Location: | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Posted: | May 18, 2026 |
| Due: | Jun 18, 2026 |
| Agency: | City of Durham |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | 26-1066 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Number: |
26-1066
|
| Bid Title: |
Workspaces & Wayside: Public Art at ESS South
|
| Category: | Requests for Proposals/Qualifications and Services |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
@CreativeDurham
Arts@DurhamNC.Gov
DurhamNC.Gov/5529
Workspaces & Wayside:
Public Art at ESS South
Request For Interest (RFI)
CALL FOR
ARTISTS
Call for Artists: Request for Interest (RFI)
Workspaces & Wayside: Public Art at ESS South
Date Issued: May 18, 2026
RFI Deadline to Apply: 3:00 p.m. ET, June 18, 2026
The City of Durham’s Cultural and Public Art Program (referred to as “City”) is seeking an Artist, Artist Team, or
Artist and Fabricator Team (referred to as “Candidates”) with experience in creating site-specific public art
installations at the upcoming Environmental & Street Services South (E&S Services South), located at 1100
Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Durham, NC, 27707. This project is part of a broader initiative to modernize and
expand the campus to better serve Durham’s growing needs. The total budget for this public art project is
$217,000, encompassing all aspects of the project from design through to installation, which will support two
major art components:
1. Artwork for collaborative spaces
2. Streetside-integrated Artwork visible from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
The selected Artist(s) will be contracted during the design and construction phases of the facility, working
closely with the City, design team, and construction team to ensure high-quality, integrated public artwork that
enhances both the facility and the public realm. The selected Artist(s) will be under contract throughout the
design & construction phases of the new operations center, from 2026 through 2028.
Early site rendering of new operations center.
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20. Project Manager and Contact with City; Questions about this RFI.................................................................. 2
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND NATURE OF RFI........................................................................................................ 2
30. Project .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
31. Site Description ................................................................................................................................................ 3
32. Project Background .......................................................................................................................................... 3
33. Community Engagement.................................................................................................................................. 4
40. Scope of Work .................................................................................................................................................. 5
50. Project Budget and Compensation Amount .................................................................................................... 6
60. Definitions in this RFI: City, RFI, Proposal, Candidate, Contractor, Should ..................................................... 6
70. Contract ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
70.1 Interpretation and translation services ......................................................................................................... 6
100. Insurance Requirements of Selected Candidate(s) ........................................................................................ 6
110. Discretion of the City...................................................................................................................................... 6
SCHEDULE................................................................................................................................................................... 6
120. Proposed Schedule ......................................................................................................................................... 6
140. Deadline to Receive Submissions ................................................................................................................... 6
141. Concurrent Release Notice............................................................................................................................. 6
GETTING MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT AND RFI PROCESS ....................................................................... 6
150. Questions........................................................................................................................................................ 6
151. Pre-submittal Meeting ................................................................................................................................... 6
EVALUATION CRITERIA ............................................................................................................................................... 6
180. Evaluation Criteria .......................................................................................................................................... 6
190. Call for Artists/RFI Eligibility ........................................................................................................................... 6
200. Project Partners.............................................................................................................................................. 6
240. RFI Submission RequirementsThe RFI submissions shall include the following: ........................................... 6
300. Candidate to Bear Expense; No Claims against City ...................................................................................... 6
310. State Treasurer’s lists regarding Iran and Boycott of Israel ........................................................................... 6
320. Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act ......................................................................................... 6
330. Values of City of Durham regarding Treatment of Employees of Contractors .............................................. 6
Sample Artist Contract and Non-Collusion Affidavit.................................................................................................. 6
2
20. Project Manager and Contact with City; Questions about this RFI
Direct questions and concerns to:
Att: Stephanie Minor
Cultural & Public Art Program
General Services Department
2011 Fay Street
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-4197, ext. 21243
stephanie.minor@durhamnc.gov
If you have concerns about this RFI that you believe are not being addressed by the project manager, please
contact:
Att: Rebecca Holmes
Cultural & Public Art Program Manager
General Services Department
2011 Fay Street
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-4197, ext. 21245
rebecca.holmes@durhamnc.gov
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND NATURE OF RFI
30. Project
The City of Durham is undertaking a major renovation of its Environmental & Street Services South location. As
part of this multi-year project, the City is commissioning public art that will be integrated into both the facility’s
collaborative interiors and its public-facing exterior. This RFI seeks to identify Candidates with the vision and
technical experience to deliver site-specific, durable, and impactful artwork.
The goals of this public art project are to:
1. Enhance Collaborative Spaces
Prioritize high-use areas such as outdoor staff gathering areas, interior flex/breakout spaces, and
training rooms. Artwork should create colorful, comfortable, and inviting environments that foster
interaction, creativity, and pride in the workplace.
2. Create a Streetside Landmark
Develop a large-scale, durable, and integrated façade or window treatment that establishes a
landmark presence along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. The work should strengthen the
building’s civic identity and be clearly visible from the street, potentially incorporating custom
glazing, laminated glass, dichroic finishes, or other architectural treatments.
3. Celebrate Sustainability
Incorporate design elements that interpret and highlight the building’s sustainable features, such
as daylighting or renewable energy systems, making environmental stewardship visible and
engaging to staff and the public.
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Through this Request for Interest, the City seeks to identify Candidates with demonstrated experience in large-
scale public art and interest in site-integrated design. The selected Candidate(s) will work collaboratively with
City staff, design architects (CPL Team), and construction manager at risk (CT Wilson Construction Company).
The selected Candidate(s) will work to:
• engage City staff and residents of Durham through in-person engagement sessions;
• develop community-informed designs for public artwork that visually connects to the site and/or
recognizes historical, cultural, and/or sustainable aspects of the center and the site;
• aim to beautify areas that are collaboratively identified by the community, City staff, and the
Artist(s);
• design, fabricate, and install site-specific artwork that is integrated into the site.
For more information on this project visit: www.durhamnc.gov/5529
31. Site Description
The Environmental & Street Services South (E&S Services South) is located at 1100 Martin Luther King Jr.
Parkway, Durham, NC. The campus is a secured, City-owned facility with access limited to staff and contractors.
The site fronts Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, giving the facility a highly visible streetside presence. This façade
offers the greatest opportunity for public-facing artwork that can serve as a civic marker for Durham. Inside the
campus, circulation is designed for staff, service vehicles, and equipment storage, with collaborative spaces
planned for renovation.
Although the site itself is closed to the public, it is surrounded by accessible green space and community
amenities:
• Third Fork Creek Trail — a multi-use greenway running nearby, part of Durham’s extensive trail
network.
• Southern Boundaries Park — located just north of the facility, this large public park includes
athletic fields, open space, and direct connections to the Third Fork Creek Trail.
The proximity of the trail and park brings steady pedestrian, bicycle, and recreational traffic to the area, adding
to the visibility and impact potential of public art placed along the MLK-facing frontage.
32. Project Background
The City of Durham is advancing a comprehensive renovation of its Environmental & Street Services South
location. This project is designed to replace outdated facilities, increase operational efficiency, and bring the
campus into compliance with modern standards. The project is currently in the site design phase, with
completion anticipated by early 2028.
Environmental & Street Services (ESS) is responsible for maintaining and enhancing Durham’s essential
infrastructure and environmental systems. The department oversees street maintenance and repair, solid waste
and recycling services, stormwater management, snow and ice removal, and right-of-way maintenance. ESS also
manages engineering and inspection services that support new development and public infrastructure projects.
Together, these functions ensure the City’s streets, drainage systems, and waste operations are safe, reliable,
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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