Sound Transit's planned public art project gets mixed reviews
SEATTLE -- Once crews start building, the view won't be so pleasing for those passing by the construction zone in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood. But in six years, it will be a light rail station.
Next week, a plywood wall will surround the space and become a canvas for artists.
"We want to keep it active and keep it interesting for people walking by for people living there, so it's not this big dead zone in the middle of Capitol Hill," said Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray.
One percent of all Sound Transit project funds must go to public art projects, Gray said.
It's a practice that's been adopted by other agencies as well. At King Street Station, the state paid a nonprofit group $8,000 to have at-risk teenagers paint a mural.
Gray says the Capitol Hill project needs a paid manager for the massive project, which stretches a block and a half with parts of the wall rising to 24 feet. The manager will get $10,000 to oversee the project for four years.
The walls will serve as a buffer for noise and dust. But some say paying for art is a waste of money.
"Public art is important, but to use the patronage of a government agency, to make that happen, we don't think that's a good use of money," said Paul Guppy of Washington Policy Center.
Guppy and his group are skeptical of the government spending on an art project they believe should be funded by private donations.
"There's tons of other stuff that money could go to other than just saying, 'Here's $10,000," said Jacob Stubbs, another opponent of the government-funded art project.
Sound Transit insists it's a good investment that will deter graffiti artists. Other supporters say it's just part of being a good neighbor.
"This being Seattle and what we're known for - coffee, art and some crazy musicians - I think it's a wonderful thing," said Nathan Duncan.
Sound Transit is taking applications for the project manager, and hopes to have someone in place by the end of next month.
Next week, a plywood wall will surround the space and become a canvas for artists.
"We want to keep it active and keep it interesting for people walking by for people living there, so it's not this big dead zone in the middle of Capitol Hill," said Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray.
One percent of all Sound Transit project funds must go to public art projects, Gray said.
It's a practice that's been adopted by other agencies as well. At King Street Station, the state paid a nonprofit group $8,000 to have at-risk teenagers paint a mural.
Gray says the Capitol Hill project needs a paid manager for the massive project, which stretches a block and a half with parts of the wall rising to 24 feet. The manager will get $10,000 to oversee the project for four years.
The walls will serve as a buffer for noise and dust. But some say paying for art is a waste of money.
"Public art is important, but to use the patronage of a government agency, to make that happen, we don't think that's a good use of money," said Paul Guppy of Washington Policy Center.
Guppy and his group are skeptical of the government spending on an art project they believe should be funded by private donations.
"There's tons of other stuff that money could go to other than just saying, 'Here's $10,000," said Jacob Stubbs, another opponent of the government-funded art project.
Sound Transit insists it's a good investment that will deter graffiti artists. Other supporters say it's just part of being a good neighbor.
"This being Seattle and what we're known for - coffee, art and some crazy musicians - I think it's a wonderful thing," said Nathan Duncan.
Sound Transit is taking applications for the project manager, and hopes to have someone in place by the end of next month.