A long, long time ago, but only about five years, the City of Terre Haute Department of Engineering sent a plan to the Department of Traansportation to beautify the intersection of Interstae 70 and U.S. 41.
The Gateway Enhancement project was approved and paid for with a $711,000 grant from the state. The project was completed Thanksgiving week of 2009.
The result: nine lightsaber-esque columns illuminated at night with blue and green LED lights. The installation is part of a city-wide plan to improve heavy traffic areas and make them more appealing to pedestrians.
Not only do the LED lights reduce electricity use in the area, they add a “festive element,” as Pat Martin, chief planner of Terre Haute’s engineering department called the columns that are reminiscent of weapons used in epic battles in scenes from the “Star Wars” movies.
“The area used to be an open storm drain that we affectionately called the ‘Snake Pit,’ “ Martin said. “It was weed-infested, filled with garbage and full of garter snakes.”
Martin was the over-seer of the gateway project and was looking for a way to reduce maintenance in the area.
According to a Dec. 2009 Tribune-Star article, a 10-foot sidewalk was installed that takes foot traffic from Margaret Street to the Honey Creek Mall safely. A pipeline was also implemented to carry the water collected in the ditch out to the Wabash River.
“The first priority was that the site had to maintain an aesthetic level,” said Dawn Kroh, commissioned artist of the project and president of Green 3, an Indianapolis-based landscape architecture company.
“Then we focused more on a contemporary way to improve upon the storm water drain. The design is supposed to represent large blades of grass and big drops of water to create a wetland-like feeling.”
Wild grass and wildflowers were planted around the 100-percent sustainable structures and throughout the interchange quadrant of I-70, said Martin.
Safety was also an issue when redesigning the storm drain area.
“A railing was put in to make the sidewalk safer and I think it adds a decorative feature,” Martin said.
The installation is at a prime location because it is visible to drivers as they exit I-70 and enter Terre Haute.
“[The lights] create a positive focal point in the community,” Kroh said. “Those stopping in Terre Haute for lunch or coffee will get a unique perspective as they enter the city.”
The intersection of I-70 and 41 is a “front door” to Terre Haute, and by having the public art there shows visitors [and residents] that the city values the arts and sends a really good message, said Kroh.
The lights address another element that many might be unaware of.
“They add an advantage by creating intangible elements that businesses look for,” Martin said. “Intangibles like public art, trails and greenways are given that term because businesses are able to gauge how extensively a city sustains them. It is really the X-factor when a business is looking to stay or leave an area.
“Terre Haute now has created competition and can be compared to other major cities [with this project].”
The community seemed receptive of the newly created design, except some didn’t know what to think.
“I didn’t know what the heck they were,” said Xavier Kreiger, freshman English education major. “I kind of assumed that they would do something at night.”
Unfortunately, Terre Haute residents and ISU students alike won’t be able to use them to reenact the final showdown between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.” However, they will be able to enjoy an eye-pleasing art installation as they drive down 41 or as they exit and enter I-70.