Syracuse, NY, USA
Creating a shared community space outside City Hall
The Project
For decades, the block-long street directly in front of Syracuse City Hall was used primarily as a driveway and parking lot. While the street was occasionally cleared for ceremonial events such as flag raisings, it did not provide a welcoming entryway to the important civic building, so, in partnership with Adapt CNY, the City of Syracuse issued an open call for artists in the community to redesign the space for full-time pedestrian use. A design committee chose three artist finalists to create proposals, and then selected the design from local artist Jessica Whitley with input from over 850 community members. Over the course of five days in May and June 2023, Whitley and a team of over 80 volunteer residents completed painting the mural. This new pedestrian plaza showed the potential of this space, especially in raising the morale and pride of Syracuse residents. The city also installed planters and movable tables and chairs, further transforming the space into an oasis in Downtown Syracuse.
- Over 70% of survey respondents want the mural to remain and be maintained into the future.
“This project is a way residents can have a say in their city and utilize a space that was once just a driveway.”
Jessica Whitley, Artist
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
City of Syracuse Needs Your Help Painting a Giant Technicolor Mural Over Its Drab Driveway (syracuse.com, March 5, 2023)
Tree Mural Brightens Syracuse City Hall Driveway (syracuse.com, June 2, 2023)
MPA Student’s Asphalt Mural Brightens Syracuse City Hall (Syracuse University, June 27, 2023)
Local Artist Begins Painting Asphalt Art Mural in Syracuse’s City Hall Plaza (CNY Central, April 27, 2023)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
