Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Transit

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Robert A. Nugent, Public Transit Administrator

 

CC:

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

 

Date:

 

March 10, 2014

RE:

Proposal for Van Go Bus Wrap

 

 

Please place the following item on the agenda for the March 25, 2014 City Commission meeting:

 

Approve partnership with Van Go for a “rolling mural” that will be applied to a 20 foot bus which operates on the NightLine and approve expenditures of $3,975 in local transit funds.

 

Background

Lawrence Transit recently implemented a pilot project for late night service. The service, known as NightLine, operates from 8:00 pm until 6:00 am Monday to Saturday. The service has been well received by the public and staff is currently evaluating variations in service delivery that will reduce the overall cost and provide service at a higher level.

 

In establishing the service, staff created a uniquely colored logo that would provide identity to the service while maintaining the Lawrence Transit identity. In recent months staff began discussing partnership opportunities as a means to bring more recognition to the service. In specific, staff was interested in creating a relationship between transit and art. The result of staff’s efforts has been a potential partnership between Lawrence Transit and Van Go, Inc.

 

Project Description

Lawrence Transit and Van Go have worked together to develop a “rolling mural” that will be applied to a 20-foot bus. The bus, which normally operates on NightLine, will be adorned in art that tells the unique history of the City of Lawrence. Rather than actually painting the art on the bus the art will be applied to the bus by means of a vinyl wrap. This greatly reduces the amount of time that a vehicle will be out of service while the artwork is applied. Van Go, Inc. will fund the mural design, in part through a proposed grant through the Freedom’s Frontier. Conceptually the artwork will depict the following:

 

This mural will be utilize all four sides of the Lawrence Transit bus. The layout of the mural is guided in part by the four elements…Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire.

 

The front of the bus will contain images that are closely aligned with the idea of the earth. A white buffalo, considered sacred to many Native Americans, is the largest image on the hood along with sunflowers and other vegetation.

 

The rear of the bus will have an image of John Brown emerging from storm clouds. The element of wind is represented here. The idea of runaway slaves following the watering gourd (or big dipper and north star) is also present.

 

The passenger side of the bus uses the element of fire. The images incorporate images depicting Quantrill’s raid. It will also includes images of the river evoking images of a broken heart.

 

The driver’s side of the bus depicts a swirling river. Wagon trains, the railroad, the underground railroad, and steamboat travel are all present and evolve into a path that leads to a hill with familiar KU buildings.

 

Lawrence Transit will provide a NightLine vehicle on which the artwork will be displayed. Once the artwork has been installed the bus will be used, at the City's discretion, for regular night routes, as well as for special events, parades, and other community events. The City retains ownership of the bus and can determine its most appropriate use when it is retired.

 

Cost

As part of this partnership Lawrence Transit would pay all costs associated with the wrapping of the bus which amounts to $3,975.00 (see attached). Lawrence Transit would use local funds to pay for their portion of this project.

 

Action Requested

Staff recommends that City Commission approve this partnership and the expenditure of $3,975.00 in local transit funds for this project, if appropriate.