Mesa College Rosa Parks Memorial Project

San Diego Community College District

PROPOSITIONS S & N PROJECT FACT SHEET Rosa Parks Memorial Project Campus

San Diego Mesa College

Address

7250 Mesa College Drive San Diego, CA 92111‐4998 619.388.2604 www.sdmesa.edu

Design Team

Dr. Gerda Govine‐Ituarte, Ed.D.

Nina Karavasiles, Public Artist Prof. Mario Lara, Public Artist Fordyce Construction

Contractor

Project Description Project Description The Rosa Parks Memorial Project is designed to celebrate the legacy and attributes of the civil rights activist and especially the “Quiet Strength” that all people have within them to take a stand against repression and injustice. The unique design of the project incorporates a transit stop and an adjacent reflection area. The bus shelter features panels displaying a historical timeline with photographs; a second panel tells the history of the relationship between Rosa Parks and Mesa College. A large photographic transparency of actual Mesa College students laminated in between safety glass is displayed above the benches. The reflection area will feature colored cast concrete curved walls, seating and a rose vessel.

Special Features The project includes Terra‐Cotta colored cast concrete curved walls with seating and a “Rose” vessel. The walls and vessel formally express the nurturing embrace of the spirit of Rosa Parks.

Elements placed within the circular area include a rose stencil inlay of recycled glass embedded in concrete.

The plantings include the Freedom® rose, created in honor of Rosa Parks, and in conjunction with the Rosa Parks Foundation. The Freedom® rose is notable for its vibrant red color, abundant petals, minimal thorns and long‐lasting vase life.

The words “Quiet Strength” are stainless steel, water‐jet cut lettering with pine that are adhered to the concrete wall.

The benches are made of a structural glued laminated timber called Glulam which is ideal for forming curves.

San Diego Community College District • 3375 Camino Del Rio South • San Diego, CA 92108 Phone: 619.338.6546 • Fax: 619.338.6509 • www.public.sdccdprops‐n.com

Rosa Parks and Mesa College In the early 1990’s, a special relationship developed between San Diego Mesa College and civil rights activist Rosa Parks. At the invitation of then‐Professor Elizabeth Hamilton, Rosa Parks visited the campus on February 4 and 5, 1992, and again in 1995. In 1993, the campus was named the western branch of the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, which was active for several years. hi h ti f l Following Rosa Park’s death in 2005 at the age of 92, the college explored the possibility of honoring the late civil rights activist. The Mesa College Foundation began the process to create a memorial project in her honor in 2005. In November 2008, the Rosa Parks Memorial Project was awarded to a public art team composed of Dr. Gerda Govine‐Ituarte, Ed.D., Nina Karavasiles and Mesa College Professor Mario Lara. A community forum in April 2009 provided the community a preview and construction began in late 2009.

Memorial location

Fast Facts P j tN Project Name

R Rosa Parks Memorial Project P k M i lP j t

Funding Source

Proposition S

Architect/Engineer

SDC Architects and Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker

Concept and Art Direction

Dr. Gerda Govine‐Ituarte, Ed.D., Nina Karavasiles and Mario Lara

Contractor

Fordyce Construction

Construction Manager

Daniel Sicile‐Kira, CCM, Gafcon Inc.

Landscape Architect

Wimmer Yamada and Caughey

Propositions S and N Program Manager

Gafcon, Inc.

Campus Project Manager

Diane Malone AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Gafcon, Inc..

Construction Start Date

December 15, 2009

Project Budget

Part of $34.4 million East Campus Improvement Project (incl. new police station, parking structure, and east entry realignment)

Completion Date

January 31, 2010 San Diego Community College District • 3375 Camino Del Rio South • San Diego, CA 92108 Phone: 619.338.6546 • Fax: 619.338.6509 • www.public.sdccdprops‐n.com