The City of Carlsbad is seeking input on a proposed public art design for the Chestnut I-5 Underpass. An online survey is now open, and community members are invited to review the concept and share input by Friday, Feb. 27.

Project update
The proposed design was presented to the Arts Commission at its Feb. 5 meeting, where the artist team shared the concept and discussed how it reflects earlier community input, site considerations and technical requirements.

Watch the Feb. 5 Arts Commission meeting and discussion.

View the design concepts and additional information about the artist's proposal.

About the proposed design
The proposed design draws inspiration from Carlsbad’s natural landscape and the desire to connect deeply with the Barrio, its history and community.

• The artist team uses plant and floral forms to reflect the area’s diverse ecology and the ways Carlsbad has been shaped by migration, movement and transition over time.
• Native and cultivated plants represent layers of cultural history, including gardens in the Barrio, fruit trees introduced during Spanish settlement and plants associated with later waves of migration.
• The design also contrasts modern native and cultivated flowers on the west side of the underpass with prehistoric plant forms, such as pines and oaks, on the east side, using color and form to tell a story of change across the landscape.

The current design proposes specific plant and flower forms to represent different layers of the Barrio’s landscape and history.

• West side: Mirrored designs on the north and south sides feature native and cultivated flowers, including yellow cholla and red freesia.
• East side: Mirrored designs on the north and south sides feature prehistoric plants, including pines, aspens and oaks.

How to share input
The online survey will remain open through Friday, Feb. 27. At this stage, input will focus specifically on the proposed design concept and how well it reflects the community’s vision and priorities.

Take the survey

As you review the design concepts and take the survey, please consider:

• The overall look and feel of the design
• How well the concept reflects earlier community input themes
• What vegetation the artist team should celebrate
• Visual elements that could be explored further

What's already been decided
Certain aspects of the project have been determined through previous planning and community engagement efforts, including:

• Location: The artwork will be located on the four exterior corners of the Chestnut Avenue underpass to address maintenance concerns identified in the interior of the underpass during winter rains.
• Materials: The design will feature powder-coated steel for durability and ease of maintenance.
• Installation: The artwork will be securely mounted approximately 10 inches from the wall using heavy-duty wall anchors.
• Funding: In Carlsbad, at least 1% of eligible construction costs must fund permanent public art. The budget for this project is $400,000, as allocated by the City Council from the general capital construction fund.

Next steps

• The online survey will be open through Friday, Feb. 27.
• City staff and the artist team will review input from the Feb. 5 Arts Commission meeting and the online survey and use it to refine the design in March.