Redesign Art Stop with bus riders in mind

Dear Editor,

I am a 75-year-old “seasoned citizen” who strongly recommends the Bay View Art Stop bus

shelter be stopped in its tracks. I have reviewed all the Bay View Compass articles, spent

several hours measuring and closely observing our “Times Square crossroads”, and I have

prepared a drawing, to scale.

 

Initially, I was enthusiastic about a creative approach to beautify the bus stop triangle, but no

longer, because the worst of the three Art Stop finalists’ project was picked. The winning project

is a monstrosity evoking images of the former Berlin Wall. I believe this approach is all wrong.

We must go back to a clean sheet of paper.

 

I would like to commend Alderman Zielinski and others, who originally came up with this artwork

business in the first place. Had they not had the gumption to think big, to take advantage of the

city reconstructing the intersection, and to try to get public acceptance, I do not think I would

have thought about these kinds of possibilities. But Alderman Zielinski, you have my attention

now.

 

So where do we go from here? Check out my ideas:

• The primary constituency is the bus rider. Making the bus rider’s life easier, safer, and less

taxing trumps other interests on this triangle. (Note: I am very experienced in using public

transit. I may be new to Bay View, but I am not new to the world).

• We need to remember that bus riders need visibility near the actual bus stop and with minimal

obstructions in order to see in the distance. Sometimes seconds can count, making the

difference between the seeing the bus and getting to the curb on time, or missing the bus.

Current route and scheduling restructuring has turned the triangle into a busier transfer point,

now serving the four bus lines.

• The existing, standard, “plain Jane” bus shelter functions very well, thank you. The shelter offers

protection from western, northern, and eastern winds, and rain, and snow. Large glass panel on

a shelter afford a lot of visibility, even with the five utility boxes blocking part of line of sightline to

the Routes15 and 52 buses.

• For the convenience of both the bus rider and the general public, I recommend that four,

possibly five suitably-designed benches be installed in the triangle. Maybe some of Mr.

Dombrowski’s money could be used here. (See drawing below.)

I recommend three specially sited cigarette ” butt cans.” Designing these receptacles could be

an interesting artistic challenge and another potential use of Dombrowski’s money.

I recommend a small flower garden on the north end of the triangle. Chris Binder, the Urban

Ecology Center facilities manager, suggested a swale with native plantings to collect rainwater.

 

These suggestions are in line with a “keep it simple” approach. Yet, if done correctly, they will

enhance the true art piece: the crossroads itself. The blend of architecture and landscaping,

complete with the triangle’s low-rise open quality, ought to bring satisfaction to visitors, business

patrons, and residents. Just imagine how watching the crossroads could help warm the soul,

while sipping a latte, whether indoors or out?

Quo Vadis, Bay View?

Sincerely,
Peter Slaby
Bay View

Design by Peter Slaby for Bay View traffic triangle at intersection of Lincoln, Howell, and Kinnickinnic avenues.

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