UNSIGHTLY substations may be a thing of the past in Morningside’s Ward 27 if councillor Martin Mayer has his way.
Meyer is on a mission to spruce up substations by turning them into works of art.
Meyer posted the suggestion on the Ward 27 community Facebook page last month and received an overwhelming positive response from residents.
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He said the idea was sparked when the noticed the unsightly graffiti on many of the substations in the area and the need for the city to have it removed.
“My campaign to have these areas turned into works of art is based on the fact that substations that have been professionally painted by graffiti artists have been shown to have a less likely chance of being vandalised,” he said.
“It is also is an opportunity to show the true colours and vibrancy of artists in our area. Morningside is a wonderful area, with a great mix of people and a cosmopolitan feel to it. So I would love to see these beige boxes turned into an expression of this multi-cultural, multi-everything community of ours‚” he said.
However, residents will have to be a little patient as the process that now needs to be followed is a lengthy one.
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Meyer will first have to engage with the city’s Electricity Department for permission and then ascertain whether funds are available in the budget for the campaign to proceed. A cost factor analysis would also be required.
“We can also look into other options like making this a competition of some sorts, or having businesses, residents or streets “Adopt a box” and then carry the cost of the repainting. I am a firm believer in community taking ownership of their spaces and of community partnerships and I foresee this approach being used. So anyone with some good ideas on how we can address the issue of budget limitations should please let me know‚” he said.
Anyone willing to assist can email him at ward27@ethekwini.org.
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