Springville introduces plan to install art loop routes through downtown
Two separate Springville master plans, one designed to reframe downtown and the other to improve the community’s art presence, were each adopted by the city within the last two years.
A new public art program looks to amplify both ideas at once.
Springville announced a plan Tuesday to establish art loops in its city center — walkable paths that will link downtown landmarks to each other through “interactive art experiences” — a document detailing the plan states.
The project will be supported by a $49,000 grant provided by T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant Program, the city announced.
“It’s just a really exciting project that’s going to further the goals of reframing downtown,” Springville Museum of Art Executive Director Emily Larsen told the Daily Herald. “It’s going to connect the art museum and the library and the civic center and all these areas of downtown.”
The goal is to implement a different piece of art every half block along three separate loops that weave their way through town. These art pieces will have digital material to help individuals interact with it, according to Larsen.
The “Yellow Route” will be designed for kids and families, connecting the museum, library and civic center through the “Youth Art Walk” on 200 East, and is 1.75 miles total. The “Blue Route” is 1.25 miles to walk and moves between the art museum and civic center on Main Street and 300 south. The “Red Route” is 3 miles and touches nearly every portion of downtown, offering pedestrians a chance to “experience the most public art and historic architecture,” the plan states.
“You can walk through and have this interactive, engaging art experience that creates meaning and fosters connection,” Larsen said.
There are 53 listed art projects that will be built over the course of four phases. The projects are split into eight themed areas: Urban arts, water, youth, literary, performing arts, and the Museum of Art campus.
Phase 1 aims to be completed by February 2026, and includes roughly half of the planned projects, ranging from murals to sculptures and other smaller works.
Larger projects are detailed in the later phases, and some don’t have a set timetable.
One idea is to turn 200 South into “Festival Street” between 100 West and 100 East, decorating the street with additional public art and inserting performing art infrastructure.
There are also ideas to build a “Water-Play Sculpture” at Contractor Legacy Park and a “Pop-Up Plaza” that can host shows along Main Street.
These concepts won’t be finalized until the Springville City Council finalizes its budget in June, Larsen said.
There is support, though, from Springville Parks, Arts and Recreation Board to allocate some of next year’s funding towards “Festival Street,” Larsen said.
The other large projects remain more abstract.
“The other things are probably further out, unless the right funding comes in and we get all the buy-in of our community and the city council to move forward quicker,” she said.
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- Renderings of “Festival Street” are depicted.
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- The routes of three art loops weaving through Springville are depicted.
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- Springville is presented with a $49,000 check from T-Mobile on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Springville.
