Dan Rosenfeld looks at two recent projects in L.A. that incorporate public art components and finds that "investments in public art may provide the highest financial returns of any funds committed to an aspect of a transit project."
While the "soft" benefits of public art, such as education, inspiration, and aesthetic beauty are readily acknowledged, the marketing and income generating potential of such pieces are less well understood. Rosenfeld uses two recent examples from Los Angeles - the mixed-use Wilshire Vermont Station and The District 7 headquarters of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) - to support his argument for the financial benefits of public art.
At Wilshire Vermont Station, images of murals painted by environmental artist April Greiman, "have been
printed in dozens of publications, including newspapers and national and
local business magazines. The images are routinely used by the local
transit agency as emblems of the entire transit system, and the site is
frequently host to press events and photo shoots. For example, the mayor
of Los Angeles often uses the murals as a backdrop during televised
announcements."
"The private marketing benefits, in
real-dollar terms, of this modest public art investment are almost
inestimably high. The continuing visibility, publicity, and brand
identification that public art provided for the project were purchased
for less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the project's total cost."
At the Caltrans building, an art installation of neon- and argon-filled tubes by Keith Sonnier, "provides a colorful and changeable display
in the building's otherwise limited color palette."
"The building is now used frequently as a backdrop for feature films,
television shows, and commercials, and has been displayed prominently in
print publications around the world. Caltrans receives a substantial,
ongoing income stream by licensing the entry plaza as a backdrop for
still photography and TV/film."
FULL STORY: Public Art in Transit

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont