Downtown Phoenix is looking at a concrete facelift – a potential $40,000 contract would bring an award-winning architect to improve the streets with an artistic touch.
Meejin Yoon, founder of MY Studio and associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Department of Architecture, received unanimous approval by the Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission in Wednesday’s meeting.
The Roosevelt Street Improvements Public Art Project’s main focus is to narrow Roosevelt Street between Central Avenue and Fourth Street and implement Yoon’s artwork. She will be working in conjunction with the downtown community and Street Transportation Department in a team construction effort.
In the eyes of the commission’s panel, Yoon’s design, “Shadow Play,” outshined 125 other renowned artists when they shortlisted a national call to artists last November.
Her artistic sidewalk improvements consist of a series of shade structures, seating areas and other pedestrian amenities. Yoon plans to incorporate solar power and a sculptural shade canopy in her designs.
“They definitely won’t seem like mundane, normative shading structures,” Yoon said. “They will have a kind of quality of uniqueness to them.”
The Streets and Water Capital Programs will fund the $289,000 project budget, including Yoon’s $40,000 contract.
The City of Phoenix has been working closely with Roosevelt Row neighborhoods in these efforts to expand pedestrian comforts, especially with the increasing foot traffic of First and Third Fridays, said Gail Brinkmann, street project manager and landscape architect for the City of Phoenix.
“We’re melding the artists’ wishes into what technically can be done,” Brinkmann said.
Yoon’s designs will provide an opportunity for pieces to be easily added when future funds permit, Brinkmann said.
Brinkmann added that Yoon’s artwork would also tie the Roosevelt Row community together.
“My sense of identity actually comes from community,” Yoon said. “By creating a piece that actually reinforces the already existing sense of community in the area, that’s how that identity would be enhanced or reinforced.”
The Roosevelt Row community seems to have a similar belief that Yoon’s designs will add to its identity.
“Well obviously any type of improvements in an area that’s already trying to improve is a great thing,” said Paul Longo, business partner of Circle 6 Studios on Roosevelt Row. “Hopefully, if it’s something that looks better and people are able to get around easier, it will bring more people down here.”
The Commission anticipates the completed design portion by 2013 and the finalized construction by 2014.
Yoon’s designs will be approved at the subcommittee level of City Council next week before the recommendation reaches the official City Council.
Contact the reporter at ahavir@asu.edu
