Public art adds to the economy and quality of life
If someone was planning to do a film or an immersive live production of “West Side Story,” you could not find a better location than the space under the Hoosick Bridge.
It’s a rather desolate, dark, drab area punctuated by 22 massive concrete piers that support the overhead bridge.
But be warned, if you have plans to produce a “West Side Story” project, do it quickly. By July 1, the area should be transformed into a bright, welcoming location.
The reclamation project called the Uniting Line is now seeking submissions from regional artists to create murals on the pillars. It is the goal that transforming the space will create an environment conducive for public use for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Since the area covers River Street to 6th Avenue, there are plans for pedestrian walkways to the river, pocket parks, basketball courts and other public amenities. It will be an attractive interactive space for residents of all ages and backgrounds.
In a telephone interview, Belinda Colon, a curator at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, explained that a major expectation of the project will be connecting the downtown area of Troy. When the bridge was built in the 1970s, many neighborhoods were cut off from the rest of the City. At the time, 9 blocks of commercial districts and hundreds of residences were destroyed.
Today, the area under the bridge is an urban wasteland.
Colon says, “We are calling the plan ‘Uniting Line’ in the hope that it will be an inspirational project that not only brightens one part of the City of Troy. We hope it converts the area into a gateway instead of a space that now acts as a dividing line for the city.”
She added that the City of Troy has a plan that is being released shortly that will elaborate on the positive development for the corridor.
Partners in the Uniting Line project are the City of Troy, the Arts Center for the Capital Region, TAP, Inc., and the Collar Works Gallery.
The scheduled completion date for the murals is July 1, 2021. The work is scheduled to begin in early spring, with the five project finalists being named March 1. After community input a winner will be announced on April 5.
Submissions close as of Feb. 8, 2021. Details are available at the registration page artscenteronline/submissions/unitingline. A public information meeting to answer questions by interested parties will be held January 12. It will be held by Zoom with details and reservations available at the registration page.
The budget for the program is $145,000, for design, fabrication and installation. The winning designer will be awarded up to $20,000. An honorarium of $500 will be given to each of the four runners-up.
There is the option for the winning designer to opt out of the creative project and permit a third party to complete the physical work. However, the winning artist or team of artists can bid on doing the entire project themselves.
Colon is insistent that if the artist opts out of doing the work, that person will still have creative input assuring that the work is faithful to the original artistic vision. No consulting fee will be available for such oversight.
The vision for the space is for it to be colorful, positive and uplifting. Colon says random surveys have been given to people currently using the space. When shown potential designs their preferences are described as “inviting,” “uplifting” and “bright.”
However, she insists all submissions will be considered and that public opinion will play a major role in the final decision.
As a final positive statement on Uniting Line, Colon says more public arts programs will soon be announced. It is proof that art is not only good for the soul, it can also be a stimulant for a better quality of life and act as an economic generator as well.