Tallahassee beautification project paints a bright future
Special to the Outlook
City of Tallahassee
Your downtown experience just got a little brighter. Recently, the City of Tallahassee, along with the Downtown Improvement Authority, LeMoyne Arts, KCCI and the “Girls Can Do Anything” campers from the Oasis Center for Women and Girls, covered up an often graffited retaining wall with a colorful art mural.
The once bland wall at the downtown Food Truck Court, located at 425 S. Bronough St., now appeals to the palette with rich hues of purple, lime, lavender and orange. The art mural design features shapes of all sizes and handprints from City leaders, community partners and the campers, all girls ranging from ages 5-13.
“This was a wonderful experience for the girls, one that underscores the positive change that can occur when we work together for the betterment of our community,” City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox said. “In addition to instilling the volunteer spirit in our youth and brightening up our downtown, we are hopeful that this artistic expression will help combat graffiti in the area.”
Unabated graffiti on both public and private infrastructure can have negative effects on a community and is a criminal offense. This beautification project at the downtown Food Truck Court is a precursor to a graffiti abatement pilot program recently approved by the City Commission. The pilot program, which will be implemented later this year, aims to prevent and eradicate graffiti and will include funding for murals through a portion of code enforcement fines collected each year. When the pilot program launches, information will be available at Talgov.com.
