The Lakeside Cross Walk Art Project

Where will your project take place?

City of Muskegon

Briefly Describe Your Project Idea:

The Lakeside Cross Walk Art Project will bring together local artists from the community to provide art for the crosswalks in the Lakeside Neighborhood. We will provide the opportunity to all local artists who will send in their proposals. Their art should celebrate Muskegon by including nuances of

Why does your community need this project?

The Lakeside community needs this project in order to provide a dash of color in the business district, celebrate the Lakeside community, and provide traffic calming along a main street between downtown and the city’s Lake Michigan beach at Pere Marquette Park.

The City of Muskegon has two major downtown district areas that include the Downtown Social District, and the Lakeside District. There are about a few miles that separate the two, both having its own identity, and culture. The Downtown district is vibrant with various art sculptures, murals, and entertainment. The Lakeside is the beach side of town. There are lots of small businesses, restaurants, and other attractions unique to the area. However, there is a lack of lively artwork and eye-catching murals that embodies the uniqueness of this neighborhood. This grant would assist with providing a beautiful, and colorful streetscape for four crosswalks in the Lakeside District. Adding more art would increase the areas attractiveness and add in elements related to the environment and business community.

It is so important for a community to have art that reflects their residents, invites visitors and celebrates the community as a whole. This is what has been missing in this area. This project would provide the funds necessary for artists to showcase the Lakeside District and engage visitors.

Lastly, the Lakeside desires this project in order to provide traffic calming. In the Lakeside District there have been 89 vehicle crashes since 2021. According to the Asphalt Art Safety Study: Historical Crash Analysis and Observational Behavior Assessment at Asphalt Art Sites prepared by Bloomberg Philanthropies in April 2022, “the art itself is often also intended to improve safety by increasing visibility of pedestrian spaces and crosswalks, promoting a more walkable public realm, and encouraging drivers to slow down and be more alert for pedestrians and cyclists, the most vulnerable users of the road.” Bloomberg Philanthropies tracked fresh asphalt paintings on crosswalks and bike lanes in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Bloomberg Philanthropies found the following, surprising information, “50% decrease in the rate of crashes involving pedestrians or other vulnerable road users, 37% decrease in the rate of crashes leading to injuries, and 17% decrease in the total crash rate.” This data alone speaks volumes to the importance of including artwork in community crosswalks.

What do you hope to achieve through this project?

Through this project the board hopes to provide a prouder, safer and more prosperous Lakeside District. A true identity is important for every community. Art helps with establishing that identity that represents its community members and businesses. This project will capture just that and fill the gap that has been missing in the Lakeside area for years.