Imagine this:
Replaced by (something like) this:
Might you be less inclined to speed through this neighborhood? Less likely to dwell on the swine truck? For those not sold on the pictures (or their imagination) alone, read more on why roadside art might be a great thing for Butchertown.
The photo for this hypothetical exercise was chosen as much for convenience (a well-lit Google shot) as safety (ain’t no way I’m taking a picture mid-block, mid-street on this section of Frankfort Ave!). But the photo is very telling in that one of the negative externatilies (truck traffic) of often-opposed Butchertown industry is on display and the location of the photo serves as (probably) the most well-traveled entry point into the neighborhood. Said another way, it is fitting that an ugly pig truck is pictured on a well-worn, dirty street with a poorly-maintained sidewalk at the busiest entrance to Butchertown.
With the understanding that truck traffic in Butchertown is a fact of life, why not try steps to take the focus away from unsightly trucks to something else prettier? Take another look at the photoshopped image. With the creativity and ability of artists in the Louisville area (and even in Butchertown), makeshift, semi-spontaneous art installations at busy or blighted Butchertown corridors could go a long way toward mitigating the effects of industrial neighbors. Beautiful and/or artistic corridors slow drivers and bring about awareness of neighborhood uniqueness and identity.
Note: Down-in-the-trenchs details (permission, permits, art theft, vandalism) are not the point of this entry and, thus, not addressed. Just a mental exercise at this point.
Some further reading:
Broken Sidewalk’s discussion of Louisville’s recent low pedestrian safety scores. Street art has a traffic calming effect which would serve to increase overall walkability and safety (real and perceived). Note the dark-orange redness of Butchertown on the composite map.
http://www.roadwitch.org.uk/ Out there, but don’t we live in “Possibility City”?
What a wonderful idea! I also think it’s a good fit for the character of the area.
Butchertown is situated at the crossroads of both local art trolley hops and is home to (or very nearby) some diverse artistic institutions such as the Mellwood Arts Center and the Pointe. Some kind of artwork might help the ‘hood embrace its art-intersection location as well as slow motorists and increase walkability.