City of Savannah Combat Graffiti with Historical Traffic Cabinet Wraps
Savannah city administration has undertaken an innovative initiative aimed at both beautifying the urban landscape and reducing the costs associated with graffiti abatement. This involves the installment of a series of specialized, anti-graffiti wraps on traffic cabinets located at city street corners.
Twofold Initiative Aimed at Tackling Graffiti Problem
The city initiative, focusing on traffic cabinets repeatedly targeted by graffiti, has overseen the installment of 16 wraps so far, with another eight due to be completed shortly. A further succession of wraps is also scheduled for completion by the end of the summer season.
“The new wraps on our traffic signal cabinets will help reduce the cost associated with removing graffiti which has been a constant maintenance issue for the city,” said Stephen Henry, Senior Director of Transportation. “The wraps also presented an approach to beautify a ubiquitous yet necessary cityscape feature often overlooked.”
Showcasing Savannah’s Rich History
Adding to the functional value, the wraps also serve to educate and celebrate Savannah’s heritage. Each wrap features archival photographs showcasing the historical significance of structures in the nearby vicinity. The images included on the wraps have been selected from various collections in the City of Savannah’s Municipal Archives, contextualizing the location of each traffic cabinet.
For instance, a wrap located at the corner of Price and Henry streets, in front of the Carnegie Library, boasts a photograph of the Carnegie Board dating back to 1914. “The use of historical images on the cabinet wraps helps share Savannah’s rich history with visitors, while giving area residents a sense of pride in their community,” said Director of Municipal Archives, Luciana Spracher.
Graffiti-Resistant Features of the Wraps
Constructed from vinyl, the wraps have been designed to resist various forms of graffiti, including permanent marker, spray paint, and adhesives. Any such graffiti can be removed with ease using simple cleaning products, without harming the archival images.
This initiative by the City of Savannah is an innovative solution to counteract urban graffiti, achieving multiple objectives simultaneously. Reducing the costs involved in graffiti removal, beautifying essential city infrastructure, and proudly showcasing the city’s rich historical heritage.
