For the past few years, the Knight Creative Communities Institute has been turning a number of local crosswalks into eye-catching artworks. Now that effort is moving into downtown Tallahassee.
The Calhoun Steet crosswalks at College Avenue and Jefferson Street are now brightly painted. Although KCCI Executive Director Betsy Couch said aesthetics are just part of the plan.
"We have trackable data that shows how past crosswalks have reduced speed, how they make people stop before the crosswalk and they've even caused a reduction in people running red lights or running stop signs."
The crosswalks around several elementary schools have been painted as part of the effort. And since Leon County has been a partner in the project with KCCI, District County Commissioner David O'Keefe said it only made sense for the decorated crosswalks to move into the heavily trafficked downtown area.
"This includes our county courthouse, our downtown businesses and public spaces. And this project improves the safety for pedestrians and users of these crosswalks, which continues to be a top priority."
Tuesday, March 18 saw the ribbon cutting for the first of those crosswalks along Calhoun Street at College Avenue and Jefferson Street. Local artists compete to design and complete the work.
