Lexington is preparing to test a new kind of public art — murals painted directly on streets — that city planners say can slow traffic and strengthen community identity.
During Tuesday’s Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee meeting, Hannah Crepps, principal planner for outreach and strategic planning, briefed council members on a pilot project that will bring “street art” to Shropshire Avenue in Council District 1.
“Street art is both traffic calming and placemaking,” Crepps said. “It can make it more comfortable to walk, ride, bike and drive, while also creating people-centered spaces that foster community.”
Also known as asphalt art or street murals, the designs can be placed in intersections, crosswalks, curb extensions or mid-block areas. Materials and lifespan vary — from chalk or tempera paint lasting days to thermoplastics designed for years of wear…