George St to be “reimagined”
Image: An artist's impression of George St pedestrianised
Over $9 million in public artworks is expected to be funnelled into George St over the next decade, in a bid to revitalise Sydney’s main street.
The City of Sydney Council recently announced plans to transform George St into a “light rail and pedestrian boulevard” complete with public art to reflect its heritage and identity.
“George St is the main north-south artery of the CBD and as such should be a showcase in defining the character of the City,” said Liberal City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster.
“I would like to see it become an attractive and modern pedestrian and light rail corridor which would invigorate it as a retail, dining and cultural precinct.”
Sydney Business Chamber Executive Director Patricia Forsythe said: “If you look at cities overseas, public art plays an important role in the liveability and attractiveness of many cities.
“There is no doubt that if the art is appropriate, it should complement the changes that are anticipated in George St with the introduction of light rail and the reduction of traffic through parts of the street.”
“So setting aside the cost over a period of time, in principle it will have the support of business.”
Ms Forsythe said disruptions during the development phase may impact on small businesses in the short term but would ultimately reap long-term benefits.
“It’s a strategy that is about drawing people into the city,” she said.
The City of Sydney has put out an Expression of Interest to attract local and international artists to help “reimagine” the precinct in two key areas under its City Centre Public Art Plan.
The first is the reinvigoration of George St itself, while the second is the activation of the “east-west” connections through the revitalisation of the intersections between George Street and main other streets.
“I encourage creative people across Australia and beyond to share their big ideas for how we can bring George St and its surrounds to life,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore in a media statement.
Selected artists will have the opportunity to work with City of Sydney designers to further develop their designs, with the announcement of final artists and designs expected in early 2014.
The City of Sydney plans to further enlist artists’ support in the creation of sculpture gardens for its public squares and through its commitment to the City’s laneway revitalisation program.
