New public art coming to Coquitlam; future of streetscape program unclear

Coquitlam is adding more colour to its streets, months after installing multiple public art projects across town. 

More than a half-dozen art-related initiatives — murals, furniture, lights — are expected to take shape in the first few months of 2025, according to staff at a Jan. 13 council-in-committee meeting. All the new initiatives are part of the city’s streetscape enhancement program. 

The volume of art was celebrated by council, many of whom expressed interest in making public art a priority as the streetscape enhancement program winds down.

Coun. Matt Djonlic said the city’s recent investment in public art has raised eyebrows from those in the local art community. 

“I have even heard from some artists that are saying we are the ‘City of the Arts; not another unnamed municipality,” he added, drawing chuckles from his colleagues.

In 2023, Coquitlam initially launched a two-year streetscape program to develop public art. 

At the time, council envisioned public art as an important tool to “beautify and enliven” the city’s streets. The initiatives were aimed at getting more residents outdoors and increasing foot traffic to local businesses. 

The future of the program remains murky. The planned projects are going forward, and staff are looking to add public art walking tours. Council is set to discuss the future of the streetscape enhancement program later this year.

Council reiterated its support for public art last month. 

“This is exciting, because when I started in 2018, I was going, ‘where are the murals?’” said Coun. Trish Mandewo, who was elected to city council seven years ago. 

Couns. Djonlic and Robert Mazzarolo also said the city should be picky regarding what tenants are chosen for the ground-level space of a new build. Djonlic believes that public art — something experts views as a source of income for cities — and development can work in tandem to liven up the community and local economy. 

“We’re doing our part to activate the streets,” he said. “Are we having conversations, pushing those developers to be bringing in more vibrant businesses that are going to further enhance that street activation.” 

Mazzarolo added that “professional services” should be moved off the ground level to encourage other businesses that could benefit from foot traffic related to new murals and benches. 

Most of the new art is centralized in City Centre and southern Coquitlam, with one of the biggest projects expected to be a mural on a wall of the SoCo Development at 308 Alderson Ave. 

The city has commissioned Vancouver-based artist Sarah Delaney to design a mural for the seven-tower, 2,242-unit development. The mural borders a multi-use pathway and faces Highway 1. 

“This mural will create an inviting space for those using the pathway, and welcome traffic through this portion of Coquitlam through the freeway,” said Hilary Letwin, the city’s manager of cultural services.  

Painting is likely to begin in March, depending on the weather. Once finished, it will become the fourth mural completed in the city since early 2024.

Staff also announced that new street furniture will be installed on the High Street and in Austin Heights, two busy commercial areas that lack seating space, according to city staff.

The ‘Flora Lounge,’ an S-shaped bench with a couple small tables, is expected to be built on the High Street south of Glen Drive sometime this month. Austin Heights will receive a trio of 1960s-style, five-foot high benches featuring the word, ‘The Heights.’ 

In Burquitlam, a growing neighbourhood where two new murals were installed last year, the city has ambitions to transform the corner of Hobbis Way and Clarke Road, an intersection adjacent to a commercial plaza on North Road and high-density developments. 

A pair of oversized vases will be built next to the vehicle intersection. The project is designed to create an “Instagrammable experience” for visitors, encouraging them to stay in the neighbourhood. 

“The work is inspired by the timeless act of welcoming someone with a vase of flowers, translating a simple gesture of hospitality into an interactive sculpture,” Letwin said. 

The intersection will also receive new planters and a ground painting. 

The city has approved roughly $1.3 million for the streetscape enhancement program, which is partially backed by a land reserve fund ($900,000) and Destination B.C. grant ($435,000). More than $800,000 has already been spent, or committed to plans that are in progress. 

The city estimates it will cost $65,000 to maintain all streetscape projects, but that figure will be further refined and brought into the 2026 budget at a later date. 

Staff are expected to return to council later in the year to discuss the future of the streetscape enhancement program.