Town of Bel Air announces opening of new Visitors Center
Monday, January 29, 2007

With help and encouragement from Harford County's Office of Tourism, Office of Economic Development and the Havre de Grace Visitors Center, the Town of Bel Air is opening a new Visitors Center in mid February 2007. Located at the Bel Air Reckord Armory on 37 North Main Street, the Center will provide resources and hospitality for tourists, visitors and local area residents alike. Information on activities, special events, shopping, lodging, restaurants, local and regional attractions, as well as a display of local merchant goods and gift shop items will be available.

The Center is slated to open doors with an official "opening kick-off" event on Saturday, February 17th. The kick-off will also coincide with the start of the Town's public awareness campaign for its downtown Streetscape project. The event will take place in the Armory between 11am and 3pm, and will feature an appearance by costume character "Bob the Builder," a slide show of Bel Air attractions, and a display of old photos and paintings of Main Street, courtesy of Harford Artists Association. The State Highway Administration will also be on hand to answer questions about the Streetscape program taking place in the downtown area. Popcorn, refreshments and will be available for attendees.

Due to factors such as the new county Office of Tourism, Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and the newly formed Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, the Town of Bel Air anticipates that tourism, visitor and relocation traffic will increase in the next several years and the Town feels the area is ready for a Visitors Center to meet the anticipated demands.

Officials for the Town are thrilled with the support they have received from the county. Wini Roche, Harford County's Tourism Manager, says "Havre de Grace has a thriving Visitors Center, and the new Bel Air Center offers visitors a second strategic location to learn about all of the attractions Harford County has to offer." In the past, tourists have expended approximately $221 million per year in Harford County with a majority of these funds coming from outside the county. With travel costs rising, more Americans are staying on home turf during vacation time, and Bel Air hopes that with the resources available at the new Visitors Center, county residents will see the benefits of staying around on days off and experiencing Bel Air's restaurants, shopping areas, attractions and historical charm.

Currently the Town of Bel Air is looking for individuals who are interested in public service volunteering to help man the center during the week. Hours are flexible. Interested individuals can call the Town's Planning Dept. at 410-638-4540.
For general information on the Visitors Center and the Town of Bel Air, visit the Town website at www.belairmd.org, or call 410-638-4540.

REUNION EVENT
Thursday, March 15, 2007

The Town is planning a reunion event for all those who served in the MD Guard out of the Bel Air Record Armory. If you served, regardless of what date, please contact Joyce Oliver at joliver@belairmd.org or 410-638-4550.

Town of Bel Air Sculpture Contest Takes Shape
Monday, January 28, 2008

The Town of Bel Air’s Department of Planning and Community Development, in collaboration with the Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC) and the Bel Air Cultural Arts Commission, is soliciting proposals from local artists to produce a three-dimensional weather-resistant outdoor sculpture for permanent public display in the Town of Bel Air.

Interested individuals are invited to contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Town of Bel Air, 705 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21014 at 410-879-9500 or 410-638-4540. A Request for Proposal (RFP) with a full description of the project requirements will be forwarded upon request to all responding individuals. RFP packages will be available through the close of business (4:30 p.m.) on Friday, February 22nd, 2008.

The Town would like to bring more public art to the downtown landscape and hopes the sculpture contest will become a yearly event that will contribute to this goal. Bel Air’s contest, entitled “Bel Air’s Heritage,” is modeled after “Sculptures in the Streets” in Mesa, Arizona, which is a popular tourism generating event, now in its 10th year.

TOWN OF BEL AIR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PZ-08-02 BEL AIR'S HERITAGE SCULPTURE PROJECT
Friday, February 01, 2008

TOWN OF BEL AIR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PZ-08-02 BEL AIR’S HERITAGE SCULPTURE PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

The Town of Bel Air is seeking proposals for a sculpture to be permanently installed in a highly visible location in the Town of Bel Air’s Route 1 Corridor area. The main purpose of this project is to enhance a public space in the Town of Bel Air and to provide visual appeal to the public landscape.

The selected artist will complete the contracted scope of work within the agreed time frame as stated below, under the general guidance of the Bel Air Department of Planning and Community Development in consultation with the Bel Air Cultural Arts Commission and the Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC).

The exact sculpture location will be determined by the Town Administrator, The Director of Planning and the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Current plans call for installation on the Route 1 corridor; however, the exact location is dependent on obtaining Maryland State Highway Administration authorization and coordination with area property owners.

SCOPE OF PROJECT

The theme of the sculpture project is "BEL AIR'S HERITAGE".

The artist will research, design, fabricate and install this sculpture according to the established deadline(s).

Submissions may be contemporary or traditional, soundly and professionally constructed of durable materials, suitable to withstand the elements of an outdoor environment. No fragile or dangerous works will be considered. Public safety, stability and durability will be major factors in the choice of the winning sculpture. In the round, bas relief, and kinetic sculpture will be entertained.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

All submissions for sculpture proposals need to be presented via drawings or photographs only, on a 2’ x 3’ foam board. The drawings/photographs should include views from front, side and back of sculpture, so that viewers can have a three-dimensional perspective of the piece.

Submitted drawings and/or photographs of the proposed sculpture need to be accompanied by an artist’s statement (typed, single-spaced, one page maximum), outlining the conceptual approach to the subject. Your name and contact information should not appear on the artist’s statement. Attach a sealed envelop containing your name, address, phone number and email address (if available) to the back of the foam board. Your name will remain anonymous until after the jury selection of the winner.

A list of the materials that will compose the actual sculpture must be submitted as part of the description. Acceptable materials include steel, stone, iron, bronze and/or any materials that are deemed to be non-flammable and indestructible as best as possible against vandalism and natural forces.

The actual sculpture must have a minimum height of eight (8) feet. This may include the pedestal or base of the sculpture.

All entries must be original pieces of work. Artists may submit up to three entries.

BUDGET AND FUNDING

The total artist’s fee is $25,000 maximum for the sculpture. This amount shall cover all associated costs including research, design, development, engineering, materials, fabrication, travel, insurance coverage, shipping, installation, documentation, and an identifying plaque. Only submissions of $25,000 or less will be considered.

SELECTION PROCESS

All proposals will be exhibited in March for public viewing at a Town of Bel Air public facility. The community will have the opportunity to view the submissions and vote on their favorite sculpture. The public’s favorite, having received the most votes, will be awarded the “People’s Choice” award and a $500 cash prize. This vote will not be a factor in the final judging.

One finalist will be selected following the design competition. The final winning sculpture will be chosen by a panel of judges from a diverse background in both the arts and public government within the State of Maryland.

QUALIFICATIONS

This project is open to all members of the public.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE

To assist applicants in understanding and responding to this RFP, the Town will conduct a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on Friday, February 8th, 2008, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Bel Air Department of Planning and Community Development, 705 E. Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland.

PROJECT TIMETABLE

The proposed timetable is as follows:

February 8, 2008 Pre-bid conference 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.

February 29, 2008 Deadline for submission of drawings/photographs on 2’ x 3’ 4:30 p.m. foam board

March 3-29 Display of submissions at a Town of Bel Air Public facility

April 8, 2008 Selection of “Peoples’ Choice” award and “Bel Air’s Heritage” winning (Time: TBA) selection

April 15, 2008 Contract for sale and installation of winning project to be signed

August 31, 2008 Permanent installation of sculpture completed

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Town of Bel Air will provide a contract which will be the basis of the financial and procedural agreement between the Town of Bel Air and the artist. If contract negotiations are unsuccessful, the Town of Bel Air may enter into this process with another finalist, or reissue the Request for Proposal.

INQUIRIES

Direct all submissions and inquiries regarding the RFP process to: Trish Heidenreich, Economic Development Administrator, Town of Bel Air, 705 E. Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland, 21014. Tel.: 410.879.9500 or email at theidenreich@belairmd.org.