Creative/ Community involved IDL repair

[OurTulsa]

So, it was determined that painting the street would not be permitted by Public Works even though it could be done in a tasteful manner with gritty (non-slick) non-toxic paint.

Fine.

So I'm talking to this incredibly smart person this afternoon who throws out the idea of painting some of the large concrete expanses found around the IDL.  There are plenty of very large and unattractive yet very visible blocks of concrete all around our highway noose.

The Jazz Hall of Fame had their portion of the IDL painted for years as part of JazzFest and Juneteenth over on lower Greenwood.  In that spirit, I could see many blocks around downtown painted in the spirit of the neighborhoods around them.  Or how about as part of a 'paint the town red' theme. 

It seems like an easy way to give our downtown a splash of color. 

But (his idea as well) what if we had the image created by Artist of downtown for Mayfest painted on one of the large concrete enbankments visible to those heading into downtown.

Of course, it will be water based paint. 

Who should we get permission from.  Are there City owned portions around the IDL or is every piece of concrete associated with the Tulsa Wall associated with ODOT.  Would/could the Arts Commission help get the permitting ball rolling with an endorsement?

I know, someone say it, I just need to go get a paint brush and paint something public.  I may go paint a smiley face on my fire-hydrant down the block to satisfy my itch.

[TheArtist]

Some dirt retaining wall type areas could likely be painted with permission. But from what I have heard ( I had asked about this before)  they really dont like to allow any of a bridge or overpasses important structural elements to be painted. They need to be able to easily inspect and see if there are cracks, damage, change, etc.

Btw I think Mayfest has the rights to the artwork and you would have to get permission from them, and or whoever bought the painting depending on how the sale contract was worded. 

However, there are a lot of boring walls around downtown that it wouldnt hurt to have something interesting painted on them.

[ILUVTulsa]

So, it was determined that painting the street would not be permitted by Public Works even though it could be done in a tasteful manner with gritty (non-slick) non-toxic paint.

WHO OWNS STREETS?

Try this really STUPID idea:  http://www.pasadenachalkfestival.com/

[sgrizzle]

I doubt Mayfest would have any problem with another Mayfest mural.

Cain's tried to decarate the underpass by Cain's and got a lot of red tape and was told they couldn't touch it. Best they could do is pay ODOT to paint and decorate the underpass at overly inflated prices.

I think greenwood is allowed to do the retaining wall since it's not the actual underpass.

[SXSW]

Cincinnati has several of these Deco-inspired overpasses that would look great on some of our IDL overpasses, specifically the north leg between Brady and OSU.  If we can't tear it down we can at least make it look attractive.  I can actually see one just like this crossing...Cincinnati (along with Denver, Cheyenne, Main, Boulder, Boston, Detroit, Elgin, and Greenwood)