Utility Box Art Project Begins in St. Louis Park

The city of St. Louis Park recently piloted a new program of wrapping selected city-owned utility boxes. Utility box wraps have been used in cities nationwide to add artistic flare and to discourage graffiti in neighborhoods and communities. The purpose of the program in St. Louis Park is to further enhance neighborhood connectivity and to provide a way to incorporate more art in the community, according to a news release.

Utility boxes will be wrapped in an adhesive vinyl, similar to what is used on vehicles, with a lifespan of five to seven years. The material is graffiti-resistant, allowing removal with water and rubbing alcohol.

In October 2016, Wolfe Park neighborhood residents were given a survey to select the design for wrapping the city-owned utility box at the intersection of 36th Street and Beltline Boulevard, near The Rec Center. The wrap was installed early November 2016. This utility box served as the pilot before the program will be offered to neighborhoods with city-owned utility boxes.

Image via Tyler Cipriani, Flickr, used under Creative Commons