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2 Commission Opportunities for Pill, Newport

Deadline: October 7, 2013

2 Commission Opportunities for Pill, Newport

Newport City Council (NCC) has embarked on a time-limited programme of environmental improvement works along Commercial Road in Pill, funded through an ERDF grant, to enhance the appearance and perception of the area. The programme is part of the wider Regeneration Framework for the whole of Pill and is aimed at strengthening the economic and social foundations of the community, as well as improving its prospects and the quality of its buildings and public realm.

As part of the project opportunities for the integration of commissions to artists have been identified. The aspiration of these projects reaches beyond the limitation of the current work along Commercial Road and includes temporary as well as permanent interventions, but will rely on the securing of further funding towards this. However, two projects are being taken forward as part of the current programme of capital expenditure.

No. 9 Commercial Road

The site on the corner of Cardiff Road/George Street and Commercial Road has been vacant since 1964, when the property that occupied it was demolished. Its location is prominent but its appearance does not match this. Two grey, rendered walls border a small, paved area with in one corner a 1990s BT telephone box.

However, in spite of its constraints, the site offers a great opportunity for a work that announces the entrance to Pill and Commercial Road, reflecting the commercial vibrancy and ethnic diversity of the area and generally ‘lifting’ the visual impact of the location.

The design is to be developed in consultation with the project partners and the owner of one of the adjacent properties, who is very committed to this project.

An implementation budget of circa £100,000 is currently available.

Prince’s Gates

The Prince’s Gate site is located at the junction of Frederick Street with Commercial Road, one of the main gateways to Pill. It was originally a location for a tramway terminal, but little remains that reminds of this and all traces of the original layout and significance of the location have been erased.

At some point the site was landscaped, to include seats, two substantial planters with mature trees and tall railings, flanking a crude, ornamental gate. However, for various reasons, this layout was not successful and the site is suffering severe neglect.

The commissioned artist will need to work closely with the project partners and the community and define a new character and design of this site and inform its future use.

An implementation budget of circa £50,000 is currently available.

Process

For each project there is a two-stage commissioning process. The initial commission is for a design stage, with a design for the project developed in consultation with relevant NCC staff, the art consultant and residents of the area.

For further details and a brief for each project, please contact Wiard Sterk, Principal of Urban Condition, by email on: [email protected].

The deadline for submission of expressions of interest is 7th October 2013.