gregory lane public art opportunity
About Gregory Lane
Updating Gregory Lane into a Complete Street was identified as a community need decades ago, and utility infrastructure upgrades are additionally necessary in this corridor. This project has been supported through a community vote to fund through the Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET), a penny sales tax to fund community projects. The Town has additionally dedicated capital improvement funds, as well as water and wastewater utility enterprise funds, has been awarded state funding toward the project, and is awaiting a decision on federal funding. This broad and multi-pronged support for this effort demonstrates strong alignment among multiple interested parties. Project planning and studies began in 2021. Town Council reviewed concepts in August 2023 and provided direction on alternatives in May of 2024 to inform the design. This project includes easements with adjacent landowners in order to design the project as directed and planned.
Project Goals as Related to the Comprehensive Plan
Preserve and enhance surface water and groundwater quality
Reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy
Enhance suitable locations as Complete Neighborhoods
Promote vibrant, walkable mixed-use areas
Meet future transportation demand with improved walk, bike, carpool, transit, and micro-mobility infrastructure
Public Art Goals
Add visual connectivity to the roadway
Increase pedestrian safety by slowing traffic and increasing visibility of crosswalks
Add character to the neighborhood
Calm traffic
Add points of interest and playful elements to children’s daily walks to school
Potential Artwork Locations
Space is extremely limited in this narrow corridor with a high level of construction traffic. The proposed artwork will need to have a very small footprint and will need to be very durable. The artist is encouraged to think about repeating elements that may be small and discoverable throughout the corridor and to design artwork that can be attached to 11 streetlights planned for the corridor. The artist may consider art for the pink highlighted sections at the south (1) and north (2) ends of the street, but this may require additional approvals and an extended timeline.
Media/Style/Size
Given the constrained nature of Gregory Lane, it is strongly suggested that artists consider hanging the artwork from the lamp posts on the street, see jhpublicart.org/events for examples.
The artwork must have a narrow footprint and be made of durable media that requires little to no maintenance aside from annual cleaning. Artwork can withstand unsupervised attention, large truck traffic, and snow removal. The artwork should be properly scaled to the various heights of buildings in the corridor and must not hinder the line of sight for drivers.
Timeline
Invited artists notified March 20, 2026
Site-specific Proposals Due April 17, 2026
Finalist Selected by May 1, 2026
Design Development, Construction Drawings, Fabrication May – August, 2026
Installation - September 2026