North Madison is looking at public art as a way of creating more of an identity.
Linda Horvath, a Madison urban planner who has worked with north-side neighborhoods to develop the Northside Plan, says, "Part of the neighborhood planning process focused on creating a stronger identity for the area and using that to improve economic development."
Several areas were identified as places that would benefit from having public art to improve esthetics and give a sense of place.
Ideas being considered include creating a gateway to the airport with banners or signs, building an entrance to Warner Park, installing bus shelters and improving the chain-link fence along Northport Drive, Horvath says.
Karin Wolf, arts program administrator for the Madison Arts Commission, says Warner Park would benefit from an entrance. "You're not getting the sense that you're going into one of the most important parks in Madison," she says. "You go in and it's like, 'Am I in the park or in a parking lot? Where am I?"
Horvath says Community Development Block Grant funds are available to pay for public art. A steering committee is meeting to ponder the possibilities.
