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Nature, immigrants and history dominate Central Corridor light rail station art concepts

Native flora and fauna. Immigrants’ brightly colored clothing. Railroad history. Winter Carnival ice palaces. St. Paul’s history and geology.

These are some of the images and themes found in concepts for station art developed by five artist teams for the 15 Central Corridor LRT stations.

The artists and Central Corridor LRT Project staff held open houses in mid-May to present the concepts to the public for feedback following visioning sessions over the winter where residents suggested themes to the artists.

Their artwork will be incorporated into the stations at a cost of $2.8 million, or $187,000 per station. The stations will be made of durable materials, such as copper, steel, metals, brick and concrete able to withstand the elements. The stations will have a consistent footprint to ensure ease of use by visitors, infrequent users and people with disabilities, as well as commuters in a hurry.

Stations will be of three varieties: center platforms, split-side platforms for use when a station straddles an intersection, and side platforms.

The final plans will be shared over the summer with the public. The Metropolitan Council will give preliminary approval before the designs are advanced in the fall.

Also in the second half of 2009, project staff will meet with businesses on site-specific and corridor-wide solutions for loss of on-street parking on University Avenue and will begin final engineering.

The artists’ concepts, by station

• Nancy Blum – West Bank, East Bank and Fairview Ave. 
• Roberto Delgado – Stadium Village, Fourth & Cedar St., Snelling Ave.
• Janet Lofquist – 29th Ave., Capitol East, Tenth St.
• Andrea Mykelbust/Stanton Sears – Raymond Ave., Westgate, Union Depot
• Seitu Jones – Lexington Parkway, Dale St., Rice St.