The latest public art plan in Germantown seemed to go through this week with little discussion and no blowback.

Let’s see if that lack of controversy continues.

As Abigail Warren reported, the suburb plans to paint about a half dozen crosswalks from east to the city’s west along Wolf River Boulevard. The first is slated where Farmington drops over to Wolf River Boulevard near Cameron Brown Park.

The hiring of a Grinder Taber & Grinder for the overall work was approved on the consent agenda, the list of items devoid of discussion and approved in one vote.

The purpose of the designs is to draw additional attention to the crossings, making it safer for people wanting to walk, run or ride on the greenbelt to traverse the busy, fast-flowing, median-embedded Wolf River Boulevard. The contract with Grinder Taber and Grinder is about $139,000. Each crosswalk will cost an estimated $28,700.

The exact design of the first crossing is something of a secret. The artist, a Houston High art student who graduated last year, didn’t even know this week that their work was selected.

Germantown has some unique ideas about spicing up the landscape around the suburb with its public art displays. Years ago, officials decided to have painted horse statues, most of which are still scattered around the city. There is the World Travels effort with sidewalk poetry.

Then, of course, there were the blue trees at the western end of the greenway.

While the trees were unique and added a different color to the area, some citizens groused about the cost and a lack of understanding why such an out-of-the-norm color was necessary. To them, it seemed like a waste of money.

But art is in the eye of the beholder, right? Everyone doesn’t look at a painting or sculpture the same way. I assure you this belief comes from someone who has trouble drawing a stick figure with a straight edge and a pencil.

The crosswalks present an opportunity for some creative thinking with color schemes, different designs and attention-grabbing forms. In other cities, they have designed them like zippers, rainbows, piano keyboards, rope ladders, swirls, patterns and 3D optical illusions.

For those who think the idea is a waste of time or money or is unnecessary, that’s not thinking outside the norm. The concept allows for not only creativity, but also a colorful or unusual look to a blase black asphalt street with white stripes for lanes and shoulders.

Let’s just hope the artwork isn’t so good drivers are distracted from the people in the crosswalk. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

We hope you enjoy reading the latest news from our suburban reporters. If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, we appreciate your support. If not, consider signing up for unlimited access to all of our local news coverage.

Germantown’s next public art installation will draw attention to crosswalks along Wolf River Boulevard on the northern edge of the suburb.

Starting in August, the district will serve kindergarten through 11th grade, as Lakeland Preparatory School continues to add a grade to its high school classes each year. By Michael Waddell

Tony Herring Jr. is charged with one count of felony vehicle theft and one count of conspiracy to commit vehicle theft, although law enforcement believes he is connected in multiple open cases.  By Rob Moore

In his first 100 days as district attorney, Matthew Barton has initiated the first phase of his grand jury restructuring plan, created a new task force to expedite the apprehension of violent criminals and created the agency’s first-ever Public Corruption Division. By Rob Moore

Sakura, a Japanese restaurant with three Shelby County locations, has added an extensive new section to its menu.  By Joshua Carlucci

PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy, which makes specialty drugs costing upwards of $100,000 per box, is looking for a Shelby County home.  By Abigail Warren

Teams competed at the DeSoto County Wings and Ribs Festival in Olive Branch April 6. By The Daily Memphian Staff

Tennessee Department of Transportation will close the Bobby Lanier Bridge near Germantown Parkway and Wolf River Boulevard this weekend, April 5-8, as it prepares for a longer closure starting next weekend.  By Abigail Warren

.....