As part of ongoing efforts to beautify the urban core and create active public spaces, Downtown Vision has installed approximately 40,000 new, programmable LED lights across forty trees along Laura Street from Duval Street to Water Street.
In past years, similar lights were added to downtown trees around the holiday season, then removed shortly thereafter. But these new lights, which are capable of creating “millions of different hues,” will remain up throughout the year and will be utilized for downtown events such as Art Walk. The trees will be re-wrapped annually to ensure their continued health – which also means the lights will likely be around for not just 2020, but for years to come.
The lights will help with placemaking and streetscape activation during events and may also help eventgoers feel safer as a result of increased lighting.
The addition is part of Downtown Vision’s Lively and Beautiful Sidewalks program that aims to activate spaces that it currently defines as passive. Other projects under this program, which is funded by the annual #DTJax Gala, include the Corkscrew Gym and the Adams Street parklet.
“Creating a sense of place is critical to a vibrant Downtown experience,” said Terry Durand-Stuebben, Immediate Past Chair of Downtown Vision. “We’ve gotten so much positive feedback on the holiday Lights on Laura in years past, so we’re pleased to double down with these new lights to keep Downtown shining year round.”
For the holiday season, the organization has also added 80 lit garlands and another 40,000 LED lights along surrounding downtown blocks.
With downtown Jax looking to revitalize itself, and with the city looking to re-center its events around Hemming Park following the ongoing demolition of the Landing, the new light installation is a nice little detail that should enhance the downtown experience.
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