Public Art at Merrick-Moore Park Aquatics Center
| Location: | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Nov 10, 2025 |
| Due: | Dec 15, 2025 |
| Agency: | City of Durham |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | 26-0098 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Number: |
26-0098
|
| Bid Title: |
Public Art at Merrick-Moore Park Aquatics Center
|
| Category: | Requests for Proposals/Qualifications and Services |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
@CreativeDurham
Arts@DurhamNC.Gov
DurhamNC.Gov/5442
Public Art at
Merrick-Moore Park
Aquatics Center
Request for Interest (RFI)
CALL FOR
ARTISTS
Call for Artists: Request for Interest (RFI)
Public Art at Merrick-Moore Park Aquatics Center
Date Issued: November 10, 2025
RFI Deadline to Apply: December 15, 2025
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 Aquatics Center, located at the former Wheels Fun Park site on North Hoover
Road in Durham, North Carolina, 27703. This project is part of a broader initiative to revitalize East Durham and
Merrick-Moore Park, transforming the area into a vibrant recreational hub. The total budget allocated for this
public art installation is $375,000, encompassing all aspects of the project from design through to installation.
The selected artist will be under contract from 2026 through 2030.
The selected Artist(s) may be encouraged to propose more than one artistic element as part of a cohesive site-
wide vision. Multiple installations, such as a combination of sculptural works, mosaics, fountains, or interactive
components, may be proposed throughout the site, provided the total cost remains within the all-inclusive
budget. Material options may include bronze, stainless steel, tempered glass, ceramics, durable composites, or
other materials that fit the project requirements.
Preliminary site rendering
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20. Project Manager and Contact with City; Questions about this RFI.................................................................. 3
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND NATURE OF RFI........................................................................................................ 3
30. Project .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
31. Site Description ................................................................................................................................................ 4
32. Project Background .......................................................................................................................................... 4
33. Community Engagement.................................................................................................................................. 5
40. Scope of Work .................................................................................................................................................. 6
50. Project Budget and Compensation Amount .................................................................................................... 7
60. Definitions in this RFI: City, RFI, Proposal, Candidate, Contractor, Should ..................................................... 8
70. Contract ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
70.1 Interpretation and translation services ......................................................................................................... 9
100. Insurance Requirements of Selected Candidate(s) ........................................................................................ 9
110. Discretion of the City...................................................................................................................................... 9
SCHEDULE................................................................................................................................................................. 10
120. Proposed Schedule ....................................................................................................................................... 10
140. Deadline to Receive Submissions ................................................................................................................. 10
GETTING MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT AND RFI PROCESS ..................................................................... 10
150. Questions...................................................................................................................................................... 10
151. Pre-submittal Meeting ................................................................................................................................. 11
EVALUATION CRITERIA ............................................................................................................................................. 11
180. Evaluation Criteria ........................................................................................................................................ 11
190. Call for Artists/RFI Eligibility ......................................................................................................................... 12
200. Project Partners............................................................................................................................................ 12
240. RFI Submission RequirementsThe RFI submissions shall include the following: ......................................... 14
300. Candidate to Bear Expense; No Claims against City .................................................................................... 16
310. State Treasurer’s lists regarding Iran and Boycott of Israel ......................................................................... 16
320. Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act ....................................................................................... 16
330. Values of City of Durham regarding Treatment of Employees of Contractors ............................................ 16
Sample Artist Contract and Non-Collusion Affidavit................................................................................................ 18
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20. Project Manager and Contact with City; Questions about this RFI
Direct questions and concerns to:
Attn: 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:
Attn: 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’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 Merrick-Moore Park Aquatics Center at 715 Hoover Rd, Durham, NC 27703.
Merrick-Moore Park Aquatics Center will be the most inclusively designed public water park in Durham.
Designed directly from Durham residents' feedback gathered by Durham Parks & Recreation Aquatics Center
Project Engagement, this park and multi-pool aquatic center will feature state-of-the-art design and fun features
including zero-depth entry, a lazy river, and pool space for recreation swimming for all ages and abilities. It will
be located next door to Wheels Roller Rink at Merrick-Moore Park, activating this section of East Durham and
completing the transformation of Merrick-Moore Park from once vacant land and abandoned buildings to a
recreational complex serving a historically underserved area of Durham and the region as a whole.
City of Durham voters approved a bond during the November 2024 election allowing the City to borrow $85
million for Parks and Recreation projects in our community, including $43 million dollars for the Aquatics Center.
This public art project is funded by the City of Durham’s Percent-for-Art Program, allowing a public art budget of
up to 1% of the overall project design and construction budget.
The goals of this public art installation are to:
• Enhance the visitor experience: Create an engaging and visually striking art installation that
complements the aquatic environment and enhances the overall visitor experience.
• Reflect community identity: incorporate elements that resonate with the diverse communities of
East Durham, celebrating local culture, history, and values.
• Ensure durability and safety: utilize materials and design solutions that are durable, safe, and
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suitable for a water-rich, high-traffic public space.
The selected Candidate(s) will work to:
• engage the community and residents of all of Durham with a focus on East Durham through in-
person engagement sessions;
• develop community-informed designs for public artwork that visually connects to the site and/or
recognizes historical and/or cultural aspects of the site;
• aim to beautify areas that are collaboratively identified by the community, City staff, and the
artist(s);
• identify and hire 3–5 local emerging or mid-career artists to collaborate on design, fabrication, and
community engagement; and
• design, fabricate, and install site-specific artwork that is integrated into the site.
For more information on this project visit: https://www.durhamnc.gov/5442
31. Site Description
The Aquatics Center will occupy the redeveloped site at the former Wheels Fun Park, transforming nearly 9
acres of underutilized land into an inclusive community hub. Strategically located across from the recently
completed Merrick-Moore Park and accessible via Hoover Road, the center will serve East Durham
neighborhoods and draw visitors from across the region. The site’s topography and history as a long-standing
recreation venue offered unique design opportunities to integrate terraced landscapes, natural stormwater
features, and community gathering areas.
Designed through an extensive community engagement process led by Durham Parks & Recreation, the
proposed facility may include features such as a lap pool, lazy river, zero-entry play pool, splash areas, and water
slides, along with flexible gathering spaces, walking trails, and connections to the nearby Merrick-Moore Park. In
addition to its aquatics components, the site may feature a central green, shaded picnic areas, interactive play
elements, seating terraces, and event spaces. Safe pedestrian connections and enhanced crossings are also
envisioned to link the facility with Merrick-Moore Park, offering a seamless recreational experience once designs
are finalized. Final designs are still in development, and these concepts are subject to change.
In alignment with the City’s Equitable Community Engagement Blueprint, the project reflects local values of
cultural representation, health and wellness, and investment in underserved areas. The preservation of Wheels,
the iconic indoor skating rink, honors the legacy of Wheels Fun Park while introducing a new vision for public
space that centers joy, connectivity, and multigenerational activity.
The project is currently in the site design phase, with completion anticipated by 2030.
32. Project Background
The Merrick-Moore Park Aquatics Center is part of the City of Durham’s vision to reimagine aquatics and
recreation in East Durham. This project stems from key priorities identified in the 2017 Durham Aquatics
Facilities Master Plan, which emphasized the need to replace aging infrastructure, improve geographic equity in
facility access, and provide modern aquatic amenities that serve diverse community needs. Specifically, the plan
highlighted East Durham as a priority zone due to the declining condition of the Long Meadow Pool (now
permanently closed), demographic shifts, and historically underserved recreational needs in the area.
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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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