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Jun 13, 2008 6:39 pm US/Central
DART Plans To Spend $1.3 Million On Artwork
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
How much is too much for artwork?
DART is planning to add $1.3 million worth of artwork to its newest light rail station in Deep Ellum. This plan has some riders asking questions.
Private development is already underway at the Deep Ellum line in Dallas, but the planned $1.3 million of money from the public will be spent on items that have little to do with public transportation. A ride on the rails in Dallas will also be a tour of an art display.
"I think it's good for Dallas to beautify our rail lines," said DART commuter Iris Allison.
"It's a thing of beauty. It's always been a thing of beauty," added DART commuter Michele Allison.
A carved amphetheater in south Oak Cliff. Bricks of poetry at the Dallas Zoo. A combination of cast iron and concrete at the station on Park Lane. Generally, between $50,000 to $100,000 is spent on artwork at DART stops. But this $1.3 million will be spent on just one location.
"Everyone, from cities to individuals to federal government, we really need to take a better look at how we are spending money," said Dallas resident Daniel Chenault. "I'm not that is the best use of my, and your, and his money."
With the money, DART could buy two transit buses. Dallas resident Samuel Henderson asked, "Why are they spending $1 million on art in Deep Ellum when they claim they can't afford to put enough trains on this track for us not to have to stand up?"
Why spend that much money on sculptures? A tunnel featuring artwork in Deep Ellum was destroyed by construction. Consider this artistic payback. "Deep Ellum is an important destination for us," said Morgan Lyons, a DART spokeman. "We had to do a lot to get into that community, and we wanted to connect with the community and celebrate the artistic tradition. We feel that's a good investment."
"You will know you've arrived when you see what they're doing," said Barry Aninno with the Deep Ellum Improvement District. "It's going to be fantastic."
Construction is still taking place on the station. It should be completed by next September.
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