Troy Summer Square
A new art project -- Troy Summer Square -- is set for the Monument Square area of downtown Troy later this summer. It's being organized by the Arts Center of the Capital Region and the city, and led by Judie Gilmore, who was the project director for Breathing Lights. Blurbage:
We will create a unique, beautiful pedestrian plaza on a temporarily closed city block where Broadway meets River Street, in front of the monument. Troy Summer Square will be an integrated public environment in which a painted street, chairs, tables, planters, stage and ongoing cultural programming will activate the space. During its two and half week run, we will coordinate diverse programming with local cultural partners, host fun public engagement events for residents, visitors and families, and showcase "Explore Troy Awards," small grant opportunities available for local artists to engage the public and space. Through a variety of methods and events, we will be asking all who interact with Troy Summer Square both in person and digitally, "What Are Your Ideas for Art in Troy?" Information gathered will be presented in a Master Plan for Public Art and the ideas generated during Troy Summer Square will be exhibited at the Arts Center for all to see.
There will also be three pop-up events in North Central, Lansingburgh, and South Troy later in the summer.
That first link above includes more info about the goals of the project and details about how to submit a public art project idea. Ten ideas will be selected, with awards of up to $1,000 each. The deadline to apply is July 1.
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Comments
Very much support more art in our community. But closing the streets in downtown Troy during the week, will create a mess in parking and traffic for those of us who live, work and have businesses in the city.
In addition, the last time they painted the streets we ended up with a bunch of "Enjoy Troy" stencils haphazardly painted willy nilly. It was a mess.
... said Troy Business Person on Jun 8, 2017 at 2:34 PM | link
oh, won't someone PLEASE think of the parking????!?!?!
... said a on Jun 8, 2017 at 3:17 PM | link
Come on, people. There are so many parking opportunities around town that go unused. Lots and garages rarely fill up, and you have three within blocks of the proposed location. I think you can walk an extra block in exchange for the growth of diversity and culture that our community has seen in recent years thanks to projects like this.
... said Eric on Jun 8, 2017 at 3:27 PM | link
Unfortunately, the lots and garages in Troy are reserved for permit parking only during the week. They don't have any lots that you can pay by the hour. It's $60.00 per month and you have to go to city hall every month in person to renew. 8:30AM–4:30PM M-F.
http://www.troyny.gov/Departments/Parking/parkinglots.aspx
That is why the garages and lots rarely fill up.
Now other than the parking issue, there is an issue of public safety. By closing down the streets around the square, it will inhibit emergency vehicles from accessing the senior living building on the corner of 1st and Broadway and the block of River Street between Broadway and State.
We should certainly have and enjoy more art in the City of Troy but not at the expense of the health and safety of residents and by inconveniencing businesses.
... said J on Jun 8, 2017 at 5:15 PM | link
The street they are closing is basically redundant. It's frequently closed or blocked for a variety of reasons and it's never a problem. If you're coming down 2nd street you can go to the stop sign in front of the Arts Center and make a left onto River. Simple. I don't see how this would cause traffic or emergency vehicle problems. Also, do you think they'd just close streets without conferring with the city and it's services?
Plus, nobody complains when the infallible Farmers Market closes 4 streets, and as for the "enjoy Troy" stencils, maybe it'd be better if we just kept up the current trend of graffiti tags on every building instead?
As for the parking, I'm pretty sure "a" was being sarcastic, seeing as you can't say the words "public" and "Troy" without including "parking". If they weren't, you've got legs, try walking more than a block. You'll be amazed at how many other things you'll notice to complain about!
... said LocalDesigner on Jun 8, 2017 at 7:36 PM | link
Well I guess you told me sister.
... said J on Jun 9, 2017 at 9:40 AM | link