Repeated incidents of graffiti at bus stops and rail crossing houses prompted Metro Transit to enlist the help of local artists to transform them into works of art.
Perry Gunderson, manager of SCADA Communications & Signals, noticed three grade crossing houses were persistent targets for graffiti. These small enclosures are located at each grade crossing along the blue line, and contain equipment needed to control the crossings.
"Graffiti not only defaces Metro Transit property but does not give our customers a feeling of safety," Gunderson said. "Removing graffiti is not only difficult but can be very time consuming, taking time away from the Signal technicians normal work. Regularly a house will be cleaned, and soon after a new tag would appear.”
Faced with the need for a more lasting solution, Gunderson requested public art on these crossing houses, located at 29th Avenue, 38th Street, and 11th Avenue. The art not only enhances the aesthetics of the rail system, but it also acts as an anti-graffiti strategy.
“Experience has shown that public art deters graffiti and some forms of vandalism,” Mark Granlund, Public Arts Administrator said.
Following a review, two local artists were selected to transform these structures. Jennifer Davis painted the Prospect Park house and Taylor Berman painted 38th Street Station and 11th Avenue.
And according to Davis, the reaction was immediate. On her final day of painting, a train operator used the loudspeaker to say, "Thank you for your hard work. It looks beautiful!"
"It made my day," Davis said.
Other works of public art can be found at these bus stops that accomplish the same goal of improving the aesthetic of our system and deter graffiti: Franklin Avenue E and Chicago Avenue E, Bloomington Avenue S and Lake Street E, Regent Avenue N and Brooklyn Blvd, Lyndale Avenue at Lake Street, and Zane Ave N at 65th Avenue N.
New public art projects have concluded for the year due to weather, and new proposals for public art will begin in early 2024. Metro Transit has 100 pieces in its permanent collection and currently have 20 temporary works in our collection, many of which are bus shelters.