Two projects in Niagara Falls, NY are working to enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety in hazardous intersections, one funded by the Asphalt Art Grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies and another led by GObike Buffalo.

As a neighborhood works to shift divisions and narratives through community-driven art, WMHT is proud to be covering this project for an upcoming documentary Bridging the Divide, featuring exclusive access to the art installation process.

The intersection of public art and traffic safety ramped up in September when Bloomberg Philanthropies granted up to $25,000 each to Kansas City and 25 other municipalities around the country.

Cities everywhere have a real hunger for projects that can turn everyday infrastructure from an afterthought into a highlight of public life. Arts and culture can and does transform public spaces, as ArtPlace America has reinforced in its recent cross-sector research.

After letting the community weigh in every step of the way, a colorful new mural has been completed on the Hoosick Street Bridge underpass.

As two other parklets in the city remain in limbo, the last of an initial wave of the pop-up patios that have been in the works over the course of the pandemic has been placed as part of a larger intersection enhancement.

The city of Syracuse was awarded $25,000 through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative to turn a parking lot in front of City Hall back into a community plaza covered with a colorful mural.

Niagara Falls is one of 26 U.S. cities to be selected for a $25,000 Asphalt Art Grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The grant application was submitted by the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in partnership with the City of Niagara Falls.

A tricky intersection often avoided by West Side pedestrians will soon be upgraded with better street infrastructure and public art to make the crossing safer and more walkable.