Citation

Am. City Cty. 1998; 113(2): 65.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Penton Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Phoenix, Arizona, recently erected a 180-ft-long (55-m) pedestrian bridge to keep the city's school children from wading through 6-12 in (152-305 mm) of water after heavy rainstorms. The bridge project became part of the Phoenix Art Commission's One Percent Program, which sets aside 1% of the city's capital budget for the arts. The commission approved the final bridge design of a grasshopper, which drew 85% of residents' votes because of its playful look and appeal to children. The concrete bridge deck also features 135 sandblasted and stained images of various desert creatures such as insects, lizards, and tortoises, which were designed by students from a local junior high school. Ralph Goodall, the chief design engineer for the city's street department, believes it is an excellent example of how art can beautifully and playfully be incorporated into infrastructure function.