Skip to main content

South Valley Riverton Journal

Utility boxes in Herriman could be artwork someday

Aug 01, 2018 09:55AM ● By City Journals Staff

This utility box found in South Jordan Heritage Park at 10800 South Redwood Road is an example of what boxes in Herriman could like. (Pamela Manson/City Journals)

By Pamela Manson | [email protected]

Those green utility boxes that dot Herriman could become pieces of art one day. 

The city council voted July 11 to authorize an agreement with Rocky Mountain Power giving Herriman the option of decorating the boxes. If the Public Art Utility Box Program were implemented, the city would either use wraps or designate an artist to paint the pad-mounted equipment.

The program is intended to “make something that’s not so attractive maybe more attractive,” Wendy Thomas, director of Parks, Recreation and Events, said at a council work meeting in June. 

Thomas added that the program would allow local artists to display their talents. In addition, Herriman officials could use photos of city events that are made to look like artwork, she said. 

City Manager Brett Wood said utility boxes are often tagged with graffiti, and an art program would discourage that. 

The council vote was a preliminary action, and city leaders are not required to go forward with the program. Wraps would cost about $750 each, depending on the size of the box, and last from five to seven years, according to a city report.

Mayor David Watts said he wants to look further into introducing utility box art to Herriman. 

“I think this is a great opportunity to increase the level of community feel that we have, so I would be supportive of at least moving to the next step,” he said. 

Cities around the United States and around the world have utility box art programs. 

South Salt Lake describes the artwork “as a form of communication to a moving audience.” Park City recently started a program with an EmPOWERment theme that focuses on water and energy conservation, renewable power sources, cleaner transportation and recycling and reuse.