Artistic Designs For The BRT Now On Display
News Articles
02/18/2014
Artistic Concepts for Bus Rapid Transit Project Ready for
Viewing and Comment at AC Transit Headquarters This Week
The public is invited to view and comment on concepts created by the seven teams of artists who have been selected as semifinalists to produce art that will “Honor the Past and Celebrate the Future” for AC Transit’s East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
The art will be displayed in the lobby of AC Transit’s headquarters at 1600 Franklin Street in downtown Oakland from Wednesday, February 19, through Friday, February 21, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“This BRT project will dramatically transform the riding experience and the character of the streets from downtown Oakland to San Leandro with an improved bus system awash with artistic expressions,” said AC Transit General Manager David Armijo. “These artists have a rare opportunity to capture the imaginations of riders, residents and merchants with works of art, and the community can help decide who among them does it best.”
To that end, the public is urged to view the entries and offer written comments to the selection panel while the art is on display. The winning team will be announced in the spring for its ability to infuse each of the 34 BRT stations with art that reflects the diverse characteristics of the neighborhoods along the 9.5 mile corridor.
Ultimately, the designs will be based on individual interpretations of the theme and input from the communities. In each case, the lead artists teamed with supporting artists and artisans, all of whom were qualified based on their responses to recent Requests For Qualifications.
One team may be selected for the entire corridor–or up to three teams may be selected to develop treatments for different stations in the same general areas along the route. After the winners are chosen, more community meetings will be held to further solicit public input.
ABOUT EAST BAY BRT
The East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project will be a 9.5-mile high-quality, high-capacity public transportation system running from downtown Oakland to San Leandro BART primarily along International Blvd and E 14th St. Approved by Oakland, San Leandro, Caltrans and the AC Transit Board in 2012, BRT will provide reliable public transportation access featuring level boarding, pre-payment, dedicated transit lanes, and other features that have led this technology to be described as “light rail on wheels.” Service is expected to begin in late 2017. For more information, go online at http://www.actransit.org/planning-focus/your-guide-to-bus-rapid-transit/.
The BRT project is substantially funded by Alameda County Measure B, Regional Measure 2 Bridge Toll Funds, the State of California and the Federal Transit Administration.