Grand Island committee advances painted utility‑box pilot, aims for three installations

Members of the Grand Island Economic Development Advisory Board discussed details of a pilot program to paint three traffic/utility boxes around the island, including materials, artist selection and a proposed timeline.

The pilot, outlined by community member Justin Karcher, would start with three boxes at visible locations near Baseline and Whitehaven and a site on Grand Island Boulevard. "I will personally just prime the boxes, you know, get them ready to go," Karcher told the board as he described a process he modeled on an Amherst program and the guidance that group used.

Board members said they want consistency in finish and verification that artists follow submitted designs. The discussion covered who supplies materials (organizers plan to provide paint, drop cloths and other supplies but not artists' brushes), the type of paint to use (Rust‑Oleum enamel was mentioned), and a Home Depot materials list Karcher estimated at about $600 total for the pilot. Karcher also proposed paying artists an honorarium of $200 after final clear coating and sign‑off.

Why it matters: painted utility…