SLO utility box art should be repainted by same artist

I recently received a postcard informing us that utility art boxes Nos. 6 and 25 were going to altered and that these utility boxes will be receiving new public art. I am all in favor of improving infrastructure but found it very unusual/suspicious that selection of one of the two utility boxes was selected to be altered. I’m referring to utility box No. 6, which several months ago was being reviewed and discussed to be painted over/changed because a person within the neighborhood thought it depicted illegal activity.

If the utility box is going to be altered with new power units, why can’t the same artwork be redone by the same artist? I, for one, find that utility box No. 6 is fun, colorful and amusing, and I know many individuals who enjoy it, as well.

One last thing: I could not find on the San Luis Obispo parks and recreation website a notice about the alteration of the boxes and where individuals could add public comment. It just saddens me to think that any art can be removed.

Let’s just enjoy a cup of coffee and smile at utility box No. 6.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 2:36 PM with the headline "SLO utility box art should be repainted by same artist."