Photos: Cedar Rapids project aims to bring beauty to traffic signal boxes

Ben Van Kerckhove, co-owner of Allegra Cedar Rapids, smooths a wrap on the side of a traffic signal control box at the intersection of Cottage Grove Avenue and First Avenue in southeast Cedar Rapids on Thursday. The artwork for this intersection and one other was designed by high school artist Anna Bennett. Local artist Jonathan Sims was selected for five traffic signal control boxes in the Westdale area. The company has installed the colorful wraps on six control boxes around the city. Other Allegra outlets in Bozeman, Montana and Tucson, Arizona also have installed wraps. Van Kerckhove says he’s had residents strike up conversations about the wraps while he’s installing them. The vinyl wraps are part of a City of Cedar Rapids project that aims “to enhance public spaces in highly visible areas and to foster a welcoming environment through public art.” The project started as part of the Westdale Area Action Plan with other control boxes wrapped in high traffic areas in the southwest quadrant. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Zach Lefebure with Allegra Cedar Rapids smooths a wrap on the side of a battery backup for a traffic signal control box at the intersection of Cottage Grove Avenue and First Avenue in southeast Cedar Rapids on Thursday. The artwork for this intersection and one other was designed by high school artist Anna Bennett. The vinyl wraps are part of a City of Cedar Rapids project that aims “to enhance public spaces in highly visible areas and to foster a welcoming environment through public art.” The project started as part of the Westdale Area Action Plan with other control boxes wrapped in high traffic areas in the southwest quadrant. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Ben Van Kerckhove (left) and Zach Lefebure with Allegra Cedar Rapids smooth a wrap on the sides of a traffic signal control box and its battery backup at the intersection of Cottage Grove Avenue and First Avenue in southeast Cedar Rapids on Thursday. The artwork for this intersection and one other was designed by high school artist Anna Bennett. Local artist Jonathan Sims was selected for five traffic signal control boxes in the Westdale area. The vinyl wraps are part of a City of Cedar Rapids project that aims “to enhance public spaces in highly visible areas and to foster a welcoming environment through public art.” The project started as part of the Westdale Area Action Plan with other control boxes wrapped in high traffic areas in the southwest quadrant. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)