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November 9, 2006
Paint the Pavement
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Featured Nonprofit
Sometimes all the attention goes to causes that happen around the world, such as poverty in Africa or illiteracy in Asia. But sometimes worthwhile causes can happen down the street.
Paint the Pavement is a local project in St. Paul, Minn. that wants to create community by painting the pavement. So far two intersections have been painted in the Midway neighborhood west of downtown St. Paul. But more than a colorful art project, the initiatives are uniting neighbors and slowing traffic to make for safer communities. The idea is to reclaim public spaces and give people a reason and a place to gather.
The painting projects must be approved by the city, which requires all four corner-property owners and 80% of neighbors in the area to sign off on the project. The result is broad community support. The idea originated in Portland, Ore. with The City Repair Project which has worked on a number of intersection repairs.
"It sounds kind of hippie and goofy, but there really is a strong sense of human connection there," founder Andrea Erickson told the Pioneer Press. "One person's going to love it. One person's going to hate it. That's not as important as the fact that these neighbors came together."
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