Questions and Answers

Prospective applicants submitted written questions and requests for clarifications by November 17, 2025.

Answers to their questions are below:

Please note, your exact question may not be posted due to duplicates but all answers reflect the entirety of questions received.

Can you please provide a project limits drawing?
See the document: Projects limits. Please note the square is an estimate.
Does it have to be in Brooklyn Bridge Park?
The Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial will be at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and applications will only be considered for the specific site at Pier 1 detailed in the Call for Artists Phase One: Request for Proposals. Please refer to the Project Limits document for the exact memorial site.
Can a plan or map be provided specifying where this 1,000 SF area is to be located exactly? Where is the southwest plaza of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
See documents: Pier 1 Southwest Plaza, Pier 1 Illustrative Map, Pier 1 Drawing and Project Limits for reference.

Project Brief specifies the area designated for the Justice RBG Memorial to be approximately 1,000 square feet. If drawn as a square this would be about 32' x 32' feet. Is this correct square footage and the absolute maximum area to be considered and used?
The square footage listed in the Project Limits document is approximate and is the maximum area available for use to the artist.
Can the exact location of the RBG Memorial be flexible enough to be accommodated nearby, in alternate locations (i.e. edges of Harbor View Lawn, all along waterfront promenade, on Granite Prospect, etc) and still within BBP?
Applications will only be considered for the specific site at Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park specified in the Call for Artists Phase One: Request for Proposals. See the document, Project Limits for exact location.
Could you please provide an elevation map of Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park that includes floodplain information?
See the document: Pier 1 Elevation Map. The memorial site is in the floodplain and should be floodable.
Can you provide engineering/site drawings and/or “As-Builts” for the selected site that address and confirm axial and lateral load tolerances? (Pier structure, pylon location, and substrate (under the asphalt overlay) would be helpful for proper weight distribution during the initial design phase.) *It is our understanding that the maximum axial load tolerance is 250 pounds per square foot.
See the document Pier 1 Construction Drawing for reference. These drawings are not as-builts, and therefore the exact locations of tie rods, anchor walls, and other buried elements should be field-verified as required.
The proposed memorial location, behind the southern bulkhead (Segment 5), is rated for a live load capacity of 250 psf.
Are there separate load capacity limitations for equipment (ingress and egress) for delivery and installation purposes?
Review Pier 1 Load Rating, it provides loading limitations relevant to equipment access and delivery routes. The live load capacity along the west and north sides of Pier 1 is 150 psf.
If ground-based delivery presents challenges, delivery by crane barge may be considered as an alternative method of access.
Can you please provide the nearest electrical service location(s) to the site? Are there any known limitations to running electricity to the site from the greenspace where the light posts are located?
There is no available electrical service for the artwork.

Are there any height restrictions or considerations at the general location within the BBP other than the weight limit specified?
There are no height restrictions or considerations, but the memorial should not interfere with the canopies of the surrounding trees.
To what extent can the existing asphalt surface be disturbed?
The existing asphalt surface should not be disturbed, beyond means of anchoring/securing the work.

May we propose new materials for paving and for railings?
New materials for paving and railings is not permitted.
May we propose removing existing benches and providing new seating?
Benches may be removed but new seating may not be introduced. That being said, the benches are outside project limit.
Will the contracted crews delivering and working on the installation, on site, have any union labor requirements?
Contracted crews delivering and working on the installation will not have union labor requirements, but they will need to meet prevailing wage requirements.
Does the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation (BBP) have any designated general contractors (GC) or other open service contracts (i.e. Engineering, Landscape, Marine) that must be used or retained for any site work and installation of the RBG Memorial?
Brooklyn Bridge Park does not have any designated general contractors or other open service contracts that must be used, but the park will require a peer review by BBP’s resident marine engineers, Jacobs, to verify proposed loading of the memorial, as well as a review of contractor means and methods for the installation.
If an artist is partnering with a fabrication firm or foundry, should each team member provide their own one-page CV and up to two pages of Qualifications? In other words, does the one-page CV and two-page Qualifications limit apply to each team member (including fabrication partners), or to the team as a whole?
Each team member should provide their own one-page CV and up to two pages of statement of qualifications. This includes anyone on a fabrication, foundry or architecture firm team.
It is noted that, "it is strongly preferred that artists have examples of previous experience with large-scale outdoor original sculpture or sculptural installation projects with fabrication budgets over $400,000 each. Artists are strongly encouraged to apply as part of a team that includes a fabrication firm or foundry." In the Statement of Qualifications, can examples of a fabrication firm or foundry's work attributed to other artists be included to demonstrate this experience?
Examples of prior work can include fabrication on behalf of other artists or clients. Please attach any images or drawings as an addendum.
May we include a cover page for our proposal, e.g. with a title of the proposal and photo of Justice Ginsburg and/or the site?
A cover page for proposals is permitted.
Is the RBG Memorial Commission open to considering international studio teams?
The solicitation is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of location, who can meet the requirements of the solicitation.
How many previous work examples by the artist vs. the fabricator should be included in the Statement of Qualifications?
Artists and fabricators should include as many examples as they feel necessary to offer a comprehensive background of their previous work, but it does not need to be every piece that they have ever designed or fabricated.
Can the Statement of Qualifications include images of previous work?
Photos or illustrations of previous work may be attached as an addendum to your application.
There is a budget range noted of 1-2 million. For the Anticipated costs requested at this stage, what total budget amount should applicants use?
A final budget of $1-$2 million is anticipated, inclusive of $1 million in committed state funding and private donations. All applicants should propose a project scenario that can be achieved with the minimum $1 million budget available, and applicants are welcome to include materials detailing how any additional funding secured via private donations would be used to enhance the proposed project. Any applicant proposing a project with a budget in excess of $1 million should include an alternate scenario that details how the project could be delivered with the minimum $1 million available.
Will the Anticipated costs total be considered when reviewing applications? (i.e. will proposals with anticipated costs of 2 million be at an advantage?)
At this stage, all projects that fall within the anticipated budget range of up to $2 million will receive equal consideration. However, budgetary compliance and overall project feasibility are among the selection criteria and applicants may be asked to alter their proposals once the final budget is confirmed.
Can a contingency be included when describing Anticipated costs at this stage?
Applicants may include a contingency, but it will be considered as part of the proposed budget.
The following are related documents for the project: