52nd Street Corridor parking meters are getting creative — get involved

The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation (TEC-CDC) is looking for creators to spruce up the parking meters on the 52nd Street commercial corridor. The proposed project, which is funded by Philadelphia LISC, is part of TEC-CDC’s ongoing efforts to enliven the public realm and build community along a revitalized 52nd Street.

The 52nd Street Parking Meter Art Project is a creative place making project designed to enliven the public realm on 52nd Street and engage community members in the revitalization efforts taking place along this key commercial corridor. The project also represents a creative solution to addressing blight in the form of aging parking meters, which are in varying states of disrepair with rust and chipped paint.

TEC-CDC proposes to paint 56 meters along 52nd Street between Arch Street and Walnut Street, at the heart of the commercial corridor around the 52nd Street Market Frankford Line SEPTA station. The meters will be painted with artistic designs based on community input and a coordinated branding scheme for the corridor.

In September, TEC-CDC and the selected artist(s) will engage local schools, community groups, and businesses in the initial design of the parking meter art. Each group will be given the scope of the project along with the opportunity to participate.

The selected artist will use community meter design submissions as inspiration for ten unique parking meter designs that highlight the community and pull from its rich history. The other 46 meters that make up the project will be painted to reflect the 52nd Street logo to create uniformity on the corridor.

The 52nd Street Parking Meter Art Project will pay up to $4800 total for up to 10 selected artists. TEC-CDC will cover all supply costs for the project.

Applications must be submitted by August 10.

Image via New York City Department of Transportation’s Flickr