Designs selected for Belmont utility boxes

“This is exactly what we were looking for — the cool art that we’re seeing here, the history of Belmont, the character,” Councilwoman Julia Mates said. “They look great and this is a big win for the committee.”

A committee comprised of local artists, city staff and art faculty from Notre Dame de Namur selected the eight designs out of 14 submissions by 10 artists. The city received additional submissions after the deadline, leaving officials excited about the growing interest in the program. There will likely be additional opportunities to submit a design in the future as the paintings are anticipated to last between two and five years. 

“I was thrilled to see that we got more applications than we had availability,” Mayor Doug Kim said. “The program is unique in that in brings together several departments within the city, including public works.”

The Public Works department will provide assistance, including cones and barricades, to protect painters while they work, and the department will apply a protective seal to each completed artwork for protection and to make it easier to clean graffiti should someone deface the paintings. The city will reimburse each artist $250 for supplies.

For each design, either the artist proposed a utility box in a specific location or the committee chose one based on visibility and whether the design fits with the surrounding area. In previous discussions, officials suggested work may start in the late summer or fall.

The feel-good program was inspired by similar ones in neighboring cities, including San Carlos and Redwood City, and it’s part of the city’s plan to spruce up city streets with not just public art, but local history markers and other placemaking improvements.   

In other business, councilmembers directed staff to prepare a plan to design and build electric vehicle charging stations for the public in Belmont, and received an informational report on how that might be accomplished. Five locations around town were identified in the report and City Hall appears to be the favorite spot as it is centrally located and home to a large parking area and visible outside circuit breaker.

Twin Pines Park, Barrett Community Center, the library and Belmont Sports Complex were also identified in the report as potential locations.

Public Works Director Afshin Oskoui said funding is needed not just for the equipment and hardware, which ranges from $500 and $40,000, but for the infrastructure installation, which could cost between $100,000 to $200,000.   

Afshin said there are different funding options, including the city fronting the cost of the infrastructure while applying for grants for the equipment. There are also public and private partnership opportunities, which Councilman Charles Stone expressed interest in. He said there are Belmont residents with expertise in this area that have offered to help secure funding. 

Stone said he feels like every third car in Belmont is an electric vehicle these days. 

“This is a great first step. We’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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