November 29, 2021 at 10:08 a.m.
Site plan approved for downtown Rhinelander art park
vModified shipping container a point of contention
Site plan approved for downtown Rhinelander art park
The ArtPark, to be located behind the ArtStart building on Stevens Street, will provide an opportunity for the public to interact with sculptures and other artwork outside of ArtStart's gallery walls. In addition to an outdoor stage, the ArtPark is expected to include a multi-purpose structure, landscaping elements that invite play and exploration, and opportunities for outdoor art installations and events, according to an ArtStart press release.
Ashley McLaughlin, program and operations director at ArtStart, told the commission that the modified shipping container included in the plan would be multifunctional, however building inspector/zoning administrator Robbie Davister was adamant that it be removed from the plan.
Shipping containers are not allowed on any property inside the city limits that isn't zoned industrial, Davister noted.
The ArtPark was designed through a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board to commission local artists who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to work together on a joint project, McLaughlin explained in a letter to the plan commission.
"The project was to design our outdoor space and include creative elements suitable for multifunctional use," the letter reads. "Each of the three artists we worked with created their own design elements which are incorporated into the proposed design."
The project would eliminate the parking lot behind ArtStart and replace it with what McLaughlin referred to as a "community greenspace, outdoor performance center, outdoor classroom and downtown enhancement project."
The design features landscaping with walkways, garden elements to include trees and flowers, stage upgrades to include lighting and the addition of electricity, increased seating for the entire area and the addition of a picnic area.
According to McLaughlin, the thinking is the shipping container could "function as a temporary art piece that will be redesigned by artists to change the look and feel of it."
It was to be placed in the southwest corner of the lot that is presently paved parking, but Davister explained that the location is not appropriate for a shipping container.
"We don't allow the shipping containers in any other district except for industrial districts for storage," he said. "And this is not going to be storage, it's going to be 'multifunctional use, temporary art piece, outdoor gallery, shelter area for workshops and classes, a concession stand, a sound booth, a possible site for solar energy and a vendor space for artists.'"
"What I'm looking for on this site is not a shipping container, I'm looking for a built structure that would meet our commercial code," he added. "To protect ArtStart on the liability side, and also the city, being as it is a city-leased building."
"Originally, it was just going to be a storage container for storage, and it grew to be a catchall," Davister said. "And there is no way that I can allow it."
City attorney Steve Sorenson said ArtStart could request a variance to allow for placement of the container, but it would likely be difficult to convince the zoning board of appeals to grant it.
"I would have to suggest that the board of appeals would have a very difficult time approving a shipping container as a piece of art, or whatever its purpose would be, because of the application of how alien it is to the ordinance," he said.
After further discussion, the commission unanimously approved the site plan.
Last week, the River News reached out to ArtStart to ask if the modified shipping container is still part of their plan. McLaughlin said the organization is weighing its options going forward.
"We are currently planning to apply for a variance but also making plans to construct the accessory structure out of other material," McLaughlin said. "The function of the accessory structure is not storage but rather a multi-use space for us to expand our programming. Unfortunately it is just going to be constructed from a repurposed item that is difficult to imagine."
Based on what the three artists came up with, she said the finished piece would be an artistic statement in the middle of downtown.
"The proposed accessory structure will be beautiful, functional, and cost effective," she said. "This is a proposal for modern art and art is meant to stretch the imagination and explore different perspectives and ways of doing things. Many other communities are repurposing items like this. It is a very sustainable approach to our desire to have an outdoor accessory structure."
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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