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Artist wants to beautify ugly pipe
By ANNE LINDBERG © St. Petersburg Times, published May 2, 2001 PINELLAS PARK -- The city's greatest eyesore could become a work of art, or at least a little less ugly. Local muralist John Vitale has offered to paint the big brown pipe that arcs across the Park Boulevard-66th Street N intersection. Vitale sees the pipe as a perfect place for a rendering of the sky with birds flitting across it. "I offered to do it for free if they paid for the paint and everything," Vitale said Tuesday. Tom Nicholls, the city's traffic director, doubts the wisdom of a mural on the pipe. Pretty pictures might distract drivers, he said. Pinellas Park is not discouraging the idea. In fact, city officials have forwarded the suggestion and Vitale's name and phone number to the state Department of Transportation, which owns the monotube. Other city suggestions include painting it a solid color, but something other than the current chestnut bronze. Then, the ultimate suggestion: Take it down and replace it with something more attractive. The DOT is willing to listen. "We'll look at his options," DOT spokeswoman Marian Pscion said. "We'll look at the issues. We'll work with the city." For the past couple of weeks, motorists and Pinellas Park residents have been aghast at the pipe that runs from the northwest to the southeast corner of the intersection. The $200,000 monotube, which precedes the widening of the intersection, holds the light signals and, eventually, road signs. The pipe had to be big to hold the weight of the signals and signs and to withstand hurricane-force winds. DOT said it also was the most economical choice. But knowing all that didn't make the monotube's appearance any more palatable. Residents and motorists called the DOT and the city to complain. A local radio station held a "name the pipe" contest. The uproar inspired Vitale, whose business, Vitale Brothers Art Works, has been in Pinellas Park for two years. He wants to contribute to the city's well being. He said he understands the DOT may paint the monotube a different color, perhaps blue. If that's done, Vitale said, he hopes the DOT or city will let him paint some clouds and birds on it.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
