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Doraville council asks staff to inventory ownership of utility boxes as art-wrap pilot is explored
Summary
Councilmembers endorsed exploring vinyl wraps or paint for utility boxes to add public art, and directed staff to identify which boxes Doraville owns (many may be AT&T or utility-owned); the art commission had budget for one wrap (~$2,000).
Councilmembers on May 13 supported pursuing utility-box artwork in principal and asked staff to inventory ownership and costs before proceeding.
Councilmember Evans presented images and examples from neighboring cities, noting vinyl wraps can be removed if needed; other councilmembers cautioned that many boxes are utility-owned (AT&T, Georgia Power, county-owned street infrastructure) and the city must identify which boxes it can legally treat or wrap. The council’s art commission had earlier budgeted $2,000 for one wrap; members asked staff to research Chamblee and Decatur approaches and to return with a list of city-owned boxes and cost estimates for a pilot program.
Why it matters: Wrapped utility boxes can reduce graffiti and add visual interest along corridors; cost and ownership issues determine whether the city can act unilaterally or needs intergovernmental agreements.
Next steps: Staff and the art commission will identify city-owned boxes, solicit pricing for vinyl wraps versus paint, and return with options for a pilot.
