FINE Gael councillor Elenora Hogan has called on Limerick City and County Council to provide funding and artistic vision to transform utility boxes in the city and suburbs in a similar manner to the electricity boxes in Upper William Street.
Speaking at this month’s meeting of the Metropolitan District, Cllr Hogan said that several years ago when the enhancements were carried out in Upper William Street, the utility boxes were a particular eyesore on the street.
“Some artistic design gave us Sponge Bob, Red Crosses, blue balloons in blue skies, and Rugby images. They also capped off the boxes which meant that they were no longer stuffed with rubbish,” Cllr Hogan explained.
“I read recently that a similar initiative is ongoing in Dublin with a shout-out to artists to provide artistic decorations on utility boxes and it struck me that maybe now was the time to extend the previous Limerick initiative throughout the city.
“This is a low budget initiative. The few boxes in Upper William Street, Catherine Street, and Lower Cecil Street cost about €500.”
She went on to say that with a world-class college in Limerick School of Art and Design, some of those students might be interested in engaging in a project of this nature.
“I am sure that some paint company would the paint, and we could have colourful utility boxes across the city and suburbs. It might be particularly interesting to give them an open brief and see what images of Limerick attract them as students in our city.”
by Alan Jacques
