Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Silver Line Extension
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the City of Chelsea and the City of Boston is extending the Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service from South Station and the Seaport District in Boston to East Boston and Chelsea. The existing Silver Line terminates at Logan International Airport. Integral art features were planned as enhancement of the new stations following the MBTA Integral Art Program guidelines. The policy specified that transportation excellence includes all elements of the network and is intended to improve the user experience. Public art features were intended to provide a unifying factor throughout the transit stations, while also distinguishing the station platforms from other stations and enhancing the rider’s travel experience. Art components for the stations were to be integrated into the architectural features of the Silver Line Extension project. Integral art was to enhance the new Chelsea Commuter Rail station, which will be located adjacent to new Downtown Chelsea Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop. ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS UPDATE In early October 2015, the art selection committee selected 11 semi-finalists for the project: Silvia Chavez, Amy Cheng, Ellen Driscoll, Gary Duehr, Leigh Hall, Elisa Hamilton, Lisa Houck, Joanne Kaliontzis, Deanna Lee, Miranda Updike and Christine Vaillancourt. GOAL The selection process was to result in the identification of up to four artists for the creation of up to 22 designs in color on the station’s porcelain enamel panels. Other potential station features considered for integral art at the Downtown Chelsea BRT station included a stair, ramp or elevator structure. |
IMPORTANT DATES
Silver Line Gateway - New Chelsea Commuter Rail Station Integral Art Friday, July 17, 2015 RFQ release date Wednesday, July 29, 2015 Information session, 6-7pm 100 Summer Street, 2nd Floor Lechmere Conference Room Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Due date for RFQ questions Monday, August 24 at 11:59 PM Online Submittable Application deadline October 2015 Review of entries, finalists notified Wednesday, November 4, 6-8pm Community forum at Chelsea City Hall Chelsea community forum notice in Spanish Presentation of semi-finalist artists (21 MB) Thursday, November 12 Due date for comments on semi-finalists Email comments to the MBTA Art Consultant November 2015 MBTA Integral Art Program suspended by the MBTA General Manager following a veto of House Bill 3841 by the Governor of Mass. PRESS Buell, Spencer. "MBTA to artists: Leave your mark on new stations," Metro. July 29, 2015. Daniels, Seth. "Silver Line Public Art Component Seeks Chelsea Input." Chelsea Record, October 29, 2015, p. 2. INFORMATION Learn more about the MBTA Integral Art Program. With questions email Christina Lanzl, MBTA Public Art Consultant for the Silver Line Chelsea Commuter Rail station. |